Store brands run screaming!

November 10, 2004 3:48 PM

Science experiment: one bottle of vile, cheap vodka and a Brita water filter. Four filtrations later and it tastes better than Ketel One.
posted by starscream (29 comments total)

American vodka is meant to be tasteless, and most American vodka is distilled using activated charcoal. It is no surprise that after using activated charcoal they noticed the taste was the same as other top-shelf vodkas. I believe Russian vodkas and their ilk have subtle taste differences and aren't meant to be as boring as American varieties.
posted by geoff. at 4:04 PM on November 10, 2004

That was fun.
posted by The God Complex at 4:06 PM on November 10, 2004

I wonder what the Brita would do to a bottle of Everclear?

Nothing that a dash of grape soda can't already do but it does set the mind to a thinkin' don't it?

And I'm getting to thinkin' that its about time to start drinkin'.
posted by fenriq at 4:20 PM on November 10, 2004

And I'm getting to thinkin' that its about time to start drinkin'.
posted by fenriq at 4:20 PM PST on November 10

He said, anxiously checking the clock to post at 4:20.
posted by NewBornHippy at 4:43 PM on November 10, 2004

Oops, actually, I didn't even notice the time, be right back, I'm going to have to go out to my car for a moment.

But a nice call anyway!
posted by fenriq at 4:46 PM on November 10, 2004

The ghost of missed opportunities for 'Filter titles cries, "VodkaFilter!" [Excellent kitchen sink science. Thanks!]
posted by steef at 5:00 PM on November 10, 2004

I'm going to have to try this this weekend. Minnesota is home to many supremely nasty vodkas.

And one really really good vodka.
posted by neckro23 at 5:14 PM on November 10, 2004

This is a great post.
posted by four panels at 5:26 PM on November 10, 2004

Fantastic post! I'm off to buy cheap vodka (for scientific purposes).
posted by kamikazegopher at 5:29 PM on November 10, 2004

I just tried this and it works great!
Plus, the chick sitting in the middle here looks really hot.
posted by uosuaq at 5:33 PM on November 10, 2004

This is good. Thanks, starscream. Very tempting.
posted by Ufez Jones at 6:02 PM on November 10, 2004

I just tried this and it works great!
Plus, the chick sitting in the middle here looks really hot.

Redundant.
posted by Zurishaddai at 6:11 PM on November 10, 2004

tl;dr
posted by Keyser Soze at 7:33 PM on November 10, 2004

definitely going to try this on the local Hawkeye Vodka in Iowa.
posted by angry modem at 7:49 PM on November 10, 2004

uosauq - you've spent WAY too much time in former Soviet states.
posted by coolgeek at 8:16 PM on November 10, 2004

Add another to the column of those who want to try this. If it works -- finally, a way to get decent tasting vodka on a broke student's budget!
posted by somethingotherthan at 8:40 PM on November 10, 2004

Just as a matter of practicality...wouldn't the cost of the cheap booze and the water purifier be more expensive than just buying the good stuff in the first place? Or just buying decent stuff instead of the super top shelf?

This line: We noted a loss of vodka through spillage (for my science homies). made me laugh out loud. Also, I'm glad to hear that Ken's cat did not die.
posted by dejah420 at 8:53 PM on November 10, 2004

Doesn't cheap vodka have such as congeners & the like in it, which are bad? Does the filtration get rid of them?
posted by kenko at 8:54 PM on November 10, 2004

I tried this once and it just pulled a bunch of charcoal out of the filter... the vodka that dripped through was tinted black with charcoal dust. I didn't try to taste.
posted by rxrfrx at 9:16 PM on November 10, 2004

tl;dr

That people get banned from SA for comments comprised entirely of this is, in my books, a good thing.

But, then, you were banned from SA, right?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 10:05 PM on November 10, 2004

I tried this once and it just pulled a bunch of charcoal out of the filter...

You have to soak the filter in water and then filter a couple of quarts of water through it so all of that loose charcoal comes out. Then you can start with the vodka.
posted by deanc at 10:18 PM on November 10, 2004

What a waste of cheap vodka, that is better used in removing odors from clothing and carpets! (The cheaper the better.)
posted by Dreama at 11:43 PM on November 10, 2004

But, then, you were banned from SA, right?

I didn't get tl;dr from SA if that's what you're thinking.
posted by Keyser Soze at 12:02 AM on November 11, 2004

You have to soak the filter in water and then filter a couple of quarts of water through it so all of that loose charcoal comes out. Then you can start with the vodka.


No, seriously, I tried this on a well-used filter (I figured it would be better than ruining a nice new one).

Also, the filtered orange juice was something of a bust. We did successfully remove the pulp and most of the sugar and orange flavor and color. But why?
posted by rxrfrx at 3:34 AM on November 11, 2004

I have one question: where the hell is thomcatspike?
posted by jon_kill at 5:46 AM on November 11, 2004

thank god for the internets
posted by password at 6:02 AM on November 11, 2004

Science Crackers!
Inquiring minds want to know: Do they always have to be Nabisco saltines? Because this budding scientist really loves her Cheez-Its (yummmmy tabasco Cheez-Its.)

reporting scientician”
Do you have to have a college degree to become a reporting scientician?

don’t drink more than you can handle and always stop when your cousin Marge starts looking attractive.
Does this mean you automatically have to be a teetotaler if cousin Marge is a hottie? What about if I am a female who doesn't happen to be a lesbian at the moment? Does that mean I can drink til I puke?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:51 AM on November 11, 2004

Persons wishing to perform such alchemy on a regular basis would do well to purchase activated carbon directly. For even better quality and cheaper vodka, the aspiring alco-alchemist should consider building a fractionating column, which can produce 95% (180 proof) ethanol that is so smooth, carbon doesn't help.
posted by gregor-e at 10:54 AM on November 11, 2004

What about if I am a female who doesn't happen to be a lesbian at the moment?

Have more vodka, then wait a few moments.
posted by rorycberger at 3:06 PM on November 11, 2004