Vodka is actually far closer to pot(ch)een the potato-based spirit than to whiskey. Which, incidentally, is highly recommended if you really want to blow your head off, and can get the real thing.

If you're ever spending a night over in the Midlands, there is a little family-run hotel some miles outside Hinckley where the food is spectacular and the landlord, if he trusts you, will bring some poteen out from behind the bar. It is, being unlicensed, and vastly stronger than the standard spirituous liquor (which is abnout 40% v/v?), illegal, which is why he needs to trust you first - and why I'm not revealing his name here. Mail me if you want a recommendation. I can vouch for the excellence of the poteen.