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Fris VodkaIn my quest to find the best vodkas of the world, I went to Denmark. Well, okay, I didn’t actually travel that far, but I did have to go 2/3rds of the way down the aisle of my local Sam’s Liquor store in Westminster, CO to discover Fris Vodka which is imported from Denmark. Fris is unique for two reasons:
- Fris Vodka uses a freeze-distillation process
- Fris Vodka is made from whole grain wheat as opposed to potato or other grains
These two differences in the making of their vodka give Fris Vodka a cleaner taste and just a hint of distinct grain flavor – so says, the Fris Company.
After reviewing and learning to love Svedka Vodka, I found it difficult to try something new. Normally, Fris Vodka is in the same price range as Svedka Vodka: $19.00 – $23.00. I made the mistake of paying $25.00 for it at Sam’s which normally has very competitive prices. Either the bottle was mismarked or they rang it up wrong at the counter, though my receipt did clearly say that I had purchased, Fris. Even at $25.00, it’s still quite a bit cheaper than Grey Goose, and comes highly ranked by Wine Enthusiast with a rating of 89. The Wine Enthusiast
The Fris Company website has very little textual information. Instead, their information on the freeze distillation process is in the form of a clever, scientific video. The video essentially explains how the distillation through freezing solids does a better job of removing impurities, which in-turn, results in a cleaner, more refreshing taste. When I opened the unusual-looking, wide-mouth bottle, I decided to take the Fris Company to task on their recommendation for mixing a little vodka with warm water in order to get a better sense of the aroma and subtleties of its grain flavor. I did immediately note that the Fris has a stronger smell than the Svedka, which is not necessarily a good thing. One thing I’ve noticed about the cheaper Vodkas such as Taaka, is they have a pungent smell ever so slightly reminiscent of natural gas
One other note: Many people do not digest whole wheat grains well. If you’re among those who prefer a gluten free
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Fris vodka is by far one of the best vodkas I’ve had. It has to be everything advertised, as far as all impurities being filtered out of it because I can get really hammered drinking Fris vodka and wake up the next morning with my head as clear as a bell
LOL, Hook:
That’s one way to test the purity of vodka. How many fluid ounces of it can you consume and still have a clear head the next day?
I agree, Fris is a pretty clean tasting vodka and I have personally not had any ill affects from it.
So far, I do enjoy this vodka very much. It’s definitely the best I’ve had considering I usually go for the UV (also quite tasty in my opinion). I especially enjoy the wonderful burn after a nice swig of Fris, and the faint grainy note. Overall, at about $12 for a decent sized bottle (don’t remember the size exactly) UV definitely has a strong competition for my preference.
$12.00 for a 750ML of Fris sounds about right. If you like Fris, try the Svedka! You’ll love it.
Svedka Vodka Review
If you like Svedka, try Sobeski, I think it is cleaner yet. I consume alot of it. Tito’s is hands down the best of the best in MHO. But on a tight budget, I always go for the Sobeski. My first bottle of Fris needs to chill for a while before I put it through it’s paces.
Hi, Bob.
Thanks for stopping by and giving me your opinions on Best Vodkas. I agree the Sobieski is pretty good – especially for the price. I just finished my first 1.75 liter and you can see my review here:
Sobieski Vodka Review
I find Sobieski to have a bitter front to it that never seems to go away. Though it goes down quite smooth, overall, it leaves a long-lasting bitterness at the front of my mouth. Interesting, heh? I know we all have different opinions on Vodka, but so far Svedka is my favorite for the money.
Come back and let me know what you think of the Fris.
I got horribly sick from Fris after having a couple of screwdrivers with it. I normally have the same amount but with Skye. Seriously, it was the worse ‘purge’ I have EVER had. What could have caused this? The freeze process? The wheat?
Some people have an adverse reaction to wheat. If other wheat products like bread and grains give you problem, I suppose the wheat could be the culprit in the Fris Vodka for making you sick. Sorry to hear about your problem with Fris. Hope it doesn’t ruin your taste for other quality vodkas. I still prefer the Svedka.
I agree with MZar. Had Fris this past weekend (Saturday) for the first time – as Screwdrivers, because it was the only mixer my friend had. Let’s just say yesterday was The Lost Sunday because it took me nearly the entire day to get it together.
Sorry for your troubled Sunday, Nate.
I highly recommend giving Ruskova a try. It is by far the most gentle, forgiving vodka I’ve ever had.
Read about it here: Ruskova Vodka Review
Hi, I tried Fris vodka last night for the first time (both neat, and in a martini), and thought it inferior to Svedka. I was somewhat disappointed seeing as it is the same price, and wondered whether we had got a ‘bad batch’. Essentally, the Fris when neat has a more heady smell – thick fuzzy volatiles come off and make you know it has strong alcohol content – in addition the taste is not as crisp and fresh and smooth as Svedka. From your experience, does this sound like Fris? Could it be a bad batch? I was expecting it to be really clear and light given the 6 distillations and this freeze distillation stuff!
Cheers.
Laura,
Your experience with Fris is very consistent with my own tastes. I think Svedka is a smoother, cleaner and tastier Vodka. My new favorite lately has been Ruskova.
Read about it, here: Ruskova Review.
Try Ruskova and let me know what you think.
Hi guys. based on your reviews here I tried fris first. I had liked ketal one, and chopin was great but due to the recent changeover from state sales to private sales in washington state, chopin went from $30 to $60. the skull head vodka is now like $75. but for some reason the lesser vodka’s are really cheap. I can get a 1.75 bottle of fris for $23 and the same of svedka for $27
anyway, the first sip of fris reminded me of something. I went to ukraine back in 99. the mother load of vodka and where they drink it for breakfast. when a guy offered you vodka there, you better be able to knock a shot down, any time of day or you won’t be respected as a man. I passed the test since I was an experienced drinker anyway.I even got used to a shot at 7:30am each morning. but no more than one.
every mini mart there has 300 different brands for like $2 a bottle. anyway it reminded of me this vodka I had there with a polar bear on it. a very rich taste which I like. but I had to try the svedka and I agree it’s a lighter vodka but as personal taste goes with me I prefer the fris, and it’s cheaper which is a bonus but not that important to me. I want to try sobieski. also have tried the polish potato vodka luksusowa which I liked a lot too. probably more than the svedka but they are all pretty good. one vodka I really want to try is Reyka from iceland but I can’t find it anywhere. and the russian one imperia, can’t find it either both supposed to be really good.
only vodka that I have tried that I really did not like at all was something called obelisk, from france. the guy was trying to tell me is was the same thing as grey goose which I haven’t tried and it if is then I wouldn’t like grey goose. it had a very, very weird taste. came in the same type bottle as grey goose. also have not tried belevede.
but for all these so far for the price value and taste I liked the fris. I like that heaviness and tasting the grain.
This vodka give my hands hives, swollen bumps, ouch. For 4 weeks I’ve bought Friis and didn’t know why my hands were broken out. Finally tonight I realized it HAD to be this vodka. Good grief. I eat wheat germ, no problem. I eat whole wheat bread, no problem. So, I bought this because it was $9.99 on sale and seemed a good brand, owned by Absolute. Anyone else having these issues? ouch.
It made my husband sick for 2 days!! We threw it out.
Yes I agree with the 2010 reviews of Fris when it was truly made and even bottled in Demark. But it has gone thru 2 changes since and both are bad news. First it got moved/sold to a company in Canada, which changed the bottle design to a corny blue tinted bottle, AND changed the recipe and less filtration. BAD MOVE on all accounts. Next move was even worse. TO USA where they once again changed to a clear bottle and “chilled distillation” verses FREEZE distillation. ALSO, knock off 2 more filtration steps. So now it’s cheap crap! Fris, you dug your own grave. Oddly this week, I saw this USA company once again changed the wording on the bottle, to say ‘Freeze Distilled” on front but I bet you my house that’s a lie. Some people just have to screw up everything they touch. Sigh! I miss that original Vodka from Denmark. Now I have to find another brand who does at least 6 filtrations and tastes good. ( without breaking the bank ). I saved one glass bottle of the orginal and then the next 2 successor bottles to have proof of the changes and wording.
Jon, thank you for your useful feedback. This is just the kind of information that vodka drinkers need. Have you tried Ruskova Vodka? It is not only one of my favorites, but is highly rated by the experts at proof66.com. Give it a try!
Top Tier taste at Bottom Tier price
When it comes to comparing vodkas you have to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Obviously you have to leave off what is considered at the very top shelf. Price becomes obviously a major factor in your review of specific brands. However, under all circumstances rock gut vodkas, commonly used in bar well drinks are truly best left off anyone’s list at any price. Vodkas that fall into that category to avoid at any cost are Popov, Tarkov, Taaka, Wolfschmidt whose names alone may sound fancy but sadly are anything of the sort. However, other times the names may sound very common like Fleishmanns, Seagrams, including Gordons and Gilbeys which I swear are the same vodkas with the labels simply switched around to confuse us. What’s interesting about these vodkas versus the lowest tier cited earlier is how inferior they really are as well when compared to Fris in price and overall quality. If you you want a vodka is “neutral smelling” that is a vodka lacking a strong smell then Fris is the vodka for you. Skyy is also such a vodka touted years ago as having no fusel oils which supposedly causes fewer hangovers. I swear the process Fris uses accomplishes the same outcome as SKYY. In comparison, the more popular Smirnoff No21 which is somewhat higher priced can’t attest to the same attributes as Skyy or Fris and does give off a much stronger alcohol scent. Higher priced Alpine BLU, UV, SKOLS certainly can’t attest to any such claims either even when they are distilled multiple times in the making. Pinnacle Vodka which is certainly much higher priced than Fris always leaves you with a hangover. In fact, the way it makes you feel the next morning, you might as well just drink rock gut Popov at the much lower price and save your money. Platinum 10X is the only other vodka I can cite in the almost affordably price range which has low fuser oils and is worth considering when it’s occasionally listed on sale. I know I’ve left out Svedka and Ruskov which I’ve been told are vodka’s I’ve yet to try which are exceptional and affordable. However, personally I still say you can’t go wrong with Fris Vodka and the only thing I miss is the glass bottle it previously came in several years ago.
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