Sorry guys I'm neurotic...

[william_shakes_beer]

I've never tasted a$$ so I would have nothing to compare to

 

[Newsman]

I don't have any vodka, but I did have a bottle of gin, so I put some gin in the airlock of my current cider.

 

[pablosbrewing]

I'm just curious as to why?

I had a brew before that turned out ok. I figured the boil kills off anything.

Well water is supposed to be the cleanest.

What Homercidal said - plus a softener is exchanging ions in the water with sodium, not great for brewing.