From The Ginfinger Files: White Paint

Though the fact that gin is wicked better than vodka is utterly obviously true, the question "But why is gin better than vodka?" is a fair one. Here's a smashing answer from the probably-brilliant Audrey Saunders of NYC's Pegu Club, as told to Heather John of Bon Appetit,* who wrote a swell story about gin's resurgence in the June 2007 issue:

"Gin adds flavor and a depth and complexity that isn't there with vodka. Vodka is a blank canvas, and it basically takes on the color of any other flavor. Vodka behaves like white paint; it really just bring an alcohol proof to the mix. "

Someday, I will paint my basement walls with 90 proof white vodka paint, and sit in my bamboo swing chair and read a four-color periodical sports magazine and drink a gin and tonic.

*Thanks to Kimry for the tip.