We delete mean stuff. Distilled from local, organic corn, this female-founded, New York-based distillery's craft vodka is bottled at 88 proof, making it more robust than the average vodka on the market, with a smooth, faintly sweet finish that pairs well with cocktails. Its master distillers rely on a 600-year-old legacy to impart flavor and quality into every product. Reyka Vodka. Rating: 8. From what the hell vodka actually is to nine bottles to buy, this is the definitive guide to everyone's favorite clear spirit. Your e-mail will not be published. Gluten-free and certified USDA organic, this is distilled from corn that was grown on the Minnesota farm owned by the family of the head distiller. Made using young potatoes grown on the Chopin distillery estate, the spirit rests for two years in 50-year-old Polish oak barrels before being bottled by hand. It also makes for particularly elegant cocktails, like a dry vodka Martini with a twist or a vodka Collins. Classification: Organic / Natural / Green / Socially Responsible / etc., (Details in Each Review), Vodka. Vodka isn't what it used to be. The water that is used to make the vodka is filtered through lava rocks, which gives it a unique flavor. Rated out of 5 based on reviews. Distilled in Iceland, Reyka Vodka is made with arctic spring water and Icelandic lava rock. That being said, it's a go-to for when you want something that's affordable, but won't make you feel like you're drinking pure rubbing alcohol. As part of the larger Beam-Suntory family, it's one of the many Japanese spirits that are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. Hakumade its American debut in 2018, and we believe this is a brand to keep an eye on. It can therefore be distilled from any agricultural product containing sugar or starch. In a way, it reminded me of Crystal Head. Titos Handmade Vodka is the most popular vodka in the U.S. Smirnoff is the most popular vodka in the world. We love that it appeals to both vodka purists and innovators alike. Its clean, no-frills, and makes a tasty sour, Martini, or vodka tonic. Based in upstate New York, Harridan vodka is made using 100% organic, local corn. It has a less prominent black pepper spice flavor compared to rye whiskey, with a full-bodied mouthfeel and bready sweetness. The Best Vodka Brands to Stock Your Bar Cart With, Cocktails Every Vodka Drinker Should Master, Vodka Cocktails That Aren't a Vodka Tonic, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Reyka is a 40% ABV vodka from Iceland. Interesting if somewhat exotic other recipes. Great all around for all the drinks we tried it on. Definitely. Environmentally responsible does not contribute to global warming. A suggestion of fruit on the palate takes it out of the strictly neutral camp, and ensures it will bring character to spirit-forward vodka cocktails. We loveAbsolutbecause of its phenomenal range and impressive quality. Thats why we decided to rank the ten best vodkas. This classy spirit is entirely befitting of its flashy packaging. Smirnoff sells more vodka than any other brand in the world (via The Spirits Business), so you'll be in good company when you reach for a bottle, whichcomes in a variety of flavors, styles, and proofs. This versatile liquor is distilled from cereal grains, potatoes, fruit, or corn, and filtered using various methods. Yet it holds none of the cultural cachet of whiskey or tequila. According to data from VinePair, in 2020 the brand grew to account for an impressive 25% of the national vodka market share, with a revenue of $1.4 billion. Hailing from the Netherlands, the jack-of-all-trades brand is distilled from wheat, which gives it a round, balanced flavor. It's incredibly clean, crisp, and bright, which makes it a wonderful addition to cocktails where the vodka is the star ingredient. On top of being incredibly delicious, Reyka Vodka might be the coolest brand in the world. People also gravitate towards Tito's since it's gluten-free, as nothing is added after distillation that could contain gluten, per the company's website. Its sippable sweetness frames flavors of vanilla and almond blossoms. Tito's and Reyka are the same price, or within a dollar, where I live. Bartenders know that when it comes to stocking the well, New Amsterdam is a completely respectable choice. This Polish rye vodka begins with a glacial-like mineral quality before the peppery bite of cereal grain and booze peek out on the palate. Another noteworthy thing about Harridan is that its glass bottles are blown in Mexico using recycled glass and no two are exactly alike. Made with Russian winter wheat and water from Lake Ladoga, this bottle from Russian Standard is triple-filtered through birch charcoal and silver to give it an incredibly smooth finish. It's an extremely prevalent top-shelf option, so you'll have less trouble finding it when you're traveling or patronizing a bar with a limited selection. The flavor is slightly sweet with a black pepper note that balances things out whether you're craving a cocktail that's on the sweet side or skews savory. The water is considered so good it is sold as bottled water by itself. While the great debate over who really invented vodka (the Polish or the Russians) rages on, this Polish entry certainly deserves a spot in your freezer. This enjoyable French wheat vodka delights with its poise and grace. We admire this craft spirit and its versatility in various different cocktails. That being said, if you want a vodka soda, it strikes a good balance between being affordable and being drinkable. Neck wrapper displays a Griffen like creature and floral motif. We spend a lot of time talking about brown liquor (we're looking at you bourbon), and not enough time is dedicated to one of America's favorite spirits vodka. NOTE:Use NoillyPrat and keep the vermouth refrigerated after opening for the best taste. This small batch vodka made in Alameda, California, is a blend of pot-distilled vodka made from Viognier grapes and column still distilled vodka made from American wheat. This Utah-based distillery has been a sponsor of the Utah Pride Festival for a number of years, and crafts a range of notable spirits. The vodka isnt terribly assertive but I can definitely taste the vodka, especially in the aftertaste. Stoli's original vodka is slightly peppery, with a zing that makes it a great choice to pair with food. Its revolting. Corn, potato, and grape distillates combine in this intriguing California vodka. But good things don't last, and in 1895, Czar Alexander III outlawed production of polugar, destroyed copper pot stills and created a state-run monopoly on mass-produced vodka, a bland, life-less shell of what once was polugar. It can now be made in a range of styles and flavors while still being legally considered "vodka" in the U.S. This gives the vodka a slightly different flavor profile than many of its competitors. A fruit-based vodka, this Washington State expression is produced using grapes grown on the Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard. $74 at Reserve Bar. These (the few left in existince that is) are usually used in making gin due to its internal complexity and condensation points within the still head. Hints of candy and flowers provide subtle layers, and set this bottling apart as a quality mixing spirit. Its excellent in a Gibson. Reyka's vodka is sourced from Iceland, and its proximity to volcanoes produces an exceptionally clean and smooth spirit that puts that stuff you drank in college to shame. Croc alsooffers a few flavors as well as limited edition vodkas that can make fun additions to your bar cart. Just because youre used to the nuanced, mature flavors associated with your favorite Scotch or bourbon, that doesnt mean you should discount the tireless work of vodka distillers. Having read many threads here, it's difficult to discern what "real vodka" is. Whether you shoot it or sip it, vodka remains one of Americans' favorite spirits. Titos is one of the best-selling vodkas in the world for a reason. Its a bracing vodka that makes an excellent ice-cold Martini, preferably very dry, with a twist of lemon oils. Don't hesitate to drink this one on the rocks, neat, in an extra-dry martini, or in one of the brand's signature cocktail recipes like the Canadian Mule (vodka, lime, ginger, and maple syrup). While you may not think of a mainstay brand like Absolut as coming with a locally-sourced pedigree, the brand works to craft everything from the wheat and water that goes into the distillation to the glass bottles it packages in from around its home base in southern Sweden. I was impressed overall. My taste isn't terribly refined, apparently, but I'm very interested in trying new vodkas and want to narrow it down as well. The water that's used to make the vodka is filtered by way of lava rocks, which supplies it a singular taste. While the flagship vodka makes an absolutely top-notch vesper martini (Belvedere is the official vodka of the James Bond movies), we recommend reaching for one of the single estate ryes for a luxurious treat. For those who can't imagine drinking vodka for fun, Polugar is the ultimate sipping drink. Light and bright with a subtle sweetness, this vodka holds its own in Dirty Martinis and those simply garnished with an olive. Lava Rock Filtration. Plus, potato vodka in general is much cleaner on the palate. What ultimately sets this brand apart is the fact that it offers three versions of vodka made from three different ingredients: potato, rye, and wheat. We recommend sticking to mixed drinks like a vodka lemonade or screwdriver if you're going to drink Smirnoff. With its toasty notes and hints of spice combine with a creamy finish, it's easy to see why it remains a classic. However, vodka can also . Its a good shooter in the right setting, maybe with meat-based hor dourves, but I would pick something else up if I wanted to enjoy straight vodka. Ketel One. To help wade through the endless well of seemingly identical options, VinePair asked beverage professionals across the country to weigh in on the best vodka for your money. Martinis are a must with this vodka garnish with an olive but hold the brine. Hints of orchard fruit and flowers rise from the glass in very appealing ways. 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