VODKA
Vodka, what used to be so plain and simple. The early days of Smirnoff and Wolfschmidt Vodkas. Clean, but lacking any distinction or excitement. Great for mixed drinks. Then there was the Vodka explosion. One of the first on the scene was the Russian vodka, Stolichnaya, or Stoli for short. It became the main stay at restaurants and bars. Home bars would always include this vodka to identify the quality of their bars.
Vodka is basically very simple. It can be made from
Wheat A harsher but clean style of vodka, (Stolichnaya)
Rye Classified as dry and lean, hint of black pepper
Corn Can be a bit on the sweet side with a little burn (Titos)
Potatoes Classified as being rounder and earthy
Grapes Distilled from fine French wine grapes
Fruit Made from Oranges for one example
What also plays a key factor
Stolichnaya 
Russian, distilled from wheat. Distilled 3 times. I guess this was my first premium vodka I had. I used to drink it in all of my drinks, mixed or straight. It had sort of a semi-burning taste, but boy did it have so much more taste than those boring old time American vodkas. PLUS, I loved their Pertsovka
Grey Goose 
French, distilled from wheat, rye, and barley. Distilled 5 times. Some time after 2000, that seemed to be the only name mentioned when ordering in a bar or restaurant. This became the premium vodka to drink. The best way I can describe the taste of Grey Goose is that it is gentle, easy drinking, smooth, some level of citrus, but overall mellow to drink, excellent in cocktails.
Belvedere 
Polish, distilled from rye. Distilled 4 times. Good amount of vanilla and rye, which accounts for its boldness. The finish is clean , very lingering with a touch of white pepper taste.
Purity Swedish, distilled from organic winter wheat and barley. Distilled 34 times. Smooth, creamy and very clean. Tasting a bit of vanilla and almonds with this. The finish is very long lingering, dry and long without any burning.
Crystal Head 
Canadian, distilled from corn. Highest quality peaches and cream corn is distilled four times into a neutral grain spirit and blended with pristine water from Newfoundland, Canada. The liquid is then Distilled 7 times, of which three are through layers of semi precious crystals known as Herkimer diamonds.
Taste is initially smooth and light, with some vanilla. But when it first hits your tongue there is a bit of harshness, that rounds itself out in no time. Finish, has that typical white pepper premium vodka after taste.
Svedka 
Swedish, distilled from wheat. Distilled 5 times. Really hardly any noticeable aroma or distinctive tastes. But it does come on very hard, but mellows out quickly. Not a sipping vodka, use it in cocktails!