With choices like Honeycomb, Makrut Lime, and Rose, these aren't your run-of-the-mill, artificial-ingredient-laden shooters. It's slightly like drinking water with a tinge of burning on the way down. More for sipping than in mixers. The idea is that this combination allows for the vodka to be smooth while still maintaining a depth of flavor. A spray of citrus oil precedes the exceptionally fresh palate of this smooth-sipping, wheat-based vodka. Its not the best mixer Ive had, but it is distinctive. From Tennessee, this carbon-filtered, corn-based vodka is bright, sweet, and rounded, and about as close it gets to an approachable version of the spirit. Crafted from Dankowskie Gold rye and quadruple distilled, this ultra-premium vodka is the definition of the word "smooth. (70cl, 40%) (99 Reviews) . The average price is around $20.71 per 750mL. First Impression: Madagascar Vanilla, creme soda, stone dust, slightly spicy. But, when its good, vodka can be full of flavor and exceptionally smooth. (The name "Haku" comes from the Japanese word for "white" and refers to its white rice origins.) Beyond its classic version, Ketel One also offers a few simple flavors along with its Botanical line that contains zero added sugar or artificial ingredients. Its stellar in a broad range of cocktails, and makes for a particularly unforgettable Vesper. Crafted in Northern California, Hangar 1 takes a seasonal, local approach to create its signature spirit. Distilled in Hawaii from organically grown sugar cane, then cut to proof with purified deep-sea water from 3,000 feet below the surface at the base of Mauna Kea, this is a fascinating vodka that balances sweet autumn orchard fruit and subtle salinity (making it excellent with fried and cured snacks), all carried on a light, energetic texture. Price: $ 23.00 750 ML. 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. Its disgusting. Made with single estate winter wheat and hand crafted in copper stills, this is truly a luxurious, unique vodka. Otherwise, you might want to look for something else. Smirnoff is much more than its cloyingly sweet "Smirnoff Ice" bottles. Arctic Spring Water. Tito's is one of the best-selling vodkas in the world for a reason. The brand takes care to trace the entire production process, which means you can trust their products will always be consistent and high-quality. Ive seen Reyka on the local liquor store shelves for awhile, but I never got around to trying it. Potatoes and wheat may be some of the most common vodka sources, but they're far from alone. Six and Twenty Heirloom Rye . We appreciate that Ketel One is nice enough to serve to people with sophisticated palates, yet approachable enough that you won't feel intimidated by its price or reputation. 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. Name and e-mail are required. Wodka is made in Poland, and it's all rye, all rye, all rye. If you want to drink vodka straight from the freezer, we highly recommend grabbing a bottle of this Russian classic. There is even a unique, aromatic, premium Distiller's Exclusive Fennel Vodka. On top of being incredibly delicious, Reyka Vodka might be the coolest brand in the world. It's distilled three times in copper pot stills, then clarified with egg whites and filtered through birch charcoal. The hype that surrounds this brand is warranted. 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. It seemed very smooth and had little flavor. 10 times distilled and 8 times filtered, this corn-based vodka out of Austin, Texas has become a fan-favorite for its smooth quality. Ask Adam: Is It Rude to Take a Picture of the Bartender While They Make a Showy Drink? This 100% Colorado-potato vodka boasts notable aromatic complexity, with dried flowers and dehydrated apples, before a ripe, almost sweet palate of melons and mashed pears. If you're using a nice enough mixer, you probably won't even notice that you aren't drinking top-shelf. Its portfolio includes a classic line, a premium version called Stoli Gold, and flavored varieties that are made with zero artificial flavors or ingredients. 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 . Conventional vodka wisdom has become "the less it burns and the closer to water it tastes, the better." Ask a Bartender: Should I Use Waxed or Unwaxed Lemons for Cocktails? Reply Published March 17, 2015 4:16 pm. Its a Nashville brand thats made with 100 percent non-GMO corn. Ellen Talbot, Lead Bartender, Fable Lounge, Nashville, I really enjoy Six and Twenty Heirloom Rye [Vodka] because its not your average vodka. Its profile is fruity and juicy, with just enough heat on the palate to bring character to cocktails without overpowering or distracting. For over a century, polugar was outlawed in Russia after Czar Alexander III forbade its production. This female-founded, female-owned, and all-around female-empowering brand is making waves in the spirit world and crafting delicious booze. This vodka is made in Iceland and is said to have a clean, crisp flavor. Simple Vodka. Im firmly in the love it camp, and I would rate this in the top 2 among all the vodkas Ive tried. Keep reading for details about all of the recommendedbottles! Floral, perfumed, and moderately fruity on the nose, the palate captivates with rich, velvety texture, and leaves a lasting impression on the finish. Vodka is a key component in every home bar, whether its a fully kitted-out wet bar in the basement, or a small cabinet off the kitchen. That's why Rodinov & Sons makes its breadwine in Poland. Now, onto the vodka. It's made from grain or potatoes or really anything with fermentable sugars and distilled to a minimum of 96 percent alcohol, ensuring as pure of a spirit as possible. Good quality labels with lots of information on the back. I usually buy Sobieski because I think it's the highest quality vodka in its price range. 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. Due to its bite and aftertaste, I would be careful about using Reyka as a mixer, unless you want to put the same characteristics as the vodka itself into the cocktail to spice it up a bit. In fact, it's still outlawed after Alexander III created a state-run monopoly in industrially produced vodka. That being said, if you want a vodka soda, it strikes a good balance between being affordable and being drinkable. You might not realize it, but there are plenty of great, high-quality vodkas on the market. The base of vodka is everything, Bartley says, and that's why he's impressed with American Liquor Co. Vodka, which has a . 4 StarStarStarStarStar. Most vodkas are distilled from rice, corn, wheat, or potatoes. The still itself is equally exotic in that it is a Carter- Head Still. Ask Adam: Is It Rude to Take a Picture of the Bartender While They Make a Showy Drink? And it's these bottles that establish the popularity of vodka from Russia to the United States. Corn, potato, and grape distillates combine in this intriguing California vodka. A hint of citrus and just a touch of sweetness lead to a long finish that's a match for any number of classic vodka cocktails. In terms of taste, Prairie doesn't miss when it comes to flavor. So popular that its fans often don't bother with the full name: Its like Beyonc, or Cher, or Tiger. Made in California, this certified organic, small-batch vodka is distilled from American sugarcane that lend it gentle notes of vanilla and citrus and a silky mouthfeel. Another vodka that takes full advantage of Icelands glacial spring water and volcanic rocks (used for filtration), this expression arrives impeccably clean on the palate. That sentiment rings true right down to its packaging and price tag. It seems the ideal vodka is one that tastes as close to water as possible. Haku filters their vodka through bamboo charcoal and the result is a product that's smooth, slightly starchy, and very easy to drink. Distilled in Iceland, Reyka Vodka is made with arctic spring water and Icelandic lava rock. Though it had a mild Russian vodka-like bite that the restaurant martini did not, it was creamy, sweet, and smooth on the swallow. Ketel One has everything going for it: It tastes good, is widely available, moderately priced, and you can drink it any way you please. I can feel it in my mouth like a ball of lead. In a riff on a Negroni (trust us here! From what the hell vodka actually is to nine bottles to buy, this is the definitive guide to everyone's favorite clear spirit. This California vodka (distilled in a converted WWII-era aircraft hangarthus the name) is made using a blend of wine grapes and Midwestern grain for a smooth spirit with hints of fruit on the palate and florals on the nose which make it a particularly good pairing for sweeter cocktails. Its spirit is made from glacial spring water that, according to its product description, runs through a 4,000 year old lava field, which purifies the water. It's time to make a better vodka-based cocktail. This can be found for around $20, which makes it an easy and smart addition to your home bar set-up. Corn vodka from Wisconsin's Yahara Bay. Very nice grain tast with a fleeting sweetness, after a start almost as dry as a extra brut champagne, turning a touch sweet, then to a drier, long finish. So cheers! Like a tightly bound DNA helix, two ingredients come together seamlessly in this impressive vodka. 9. 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. But when you're paying over $40 a bottle for a rapper-backed vodka, something's not quite right when Wodka, which costs a fraction of the price, packs a similar if not superior taste. Vodka is usually produced using the same grains; wheat, rye, corn etc. And were not even going to address the huge impact that the source of the water thats used to bring it back to proof has. 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. Plus, potato vodka in general is much cleaner on the palate. This is, shockingly, a very good vodka for a very low price. It delivers a beautifully smooth taste and almost completely non-existent bite, suitable for the novice or seasoned vodka lover alike. It has a rich mouthfeel, and though it goes down smooth, it has enough of a kick to keep things interesting (and remind you that you're drinking vodka). It has a somewhat earthy, sweaty aroma, but the flavor is clean and refreshing and agreeably mild. Mix in an ice-cold Martini. This potato-based vodka from Driggs, Idaho, is distilled the equivalent of 20 times. A surprising amount of character remains in the spirit, with candied fruits arriving on nose and palate. Reyka On The Web: Reyka is a 40% ABV vodka from Iceland. In recent years, that last factor has changed. Reyka is one of my favorite vodkas, but I don't buy it often because it's a bit more expensive. The result is abalance of floral and fruity notes that aren't overwhelming. When it comes to .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}cocktail-making few spirits are as versatile as vodka. This tastes of sweet rye bread with a standard spicy finish and notes of grass. Its smooth, fairly sweet in taste and burns quite a bit. The martini it made was a bit more assertive than the one I had at the restaurant, so perhaps the bartender let the vodka sit on ice longer than I do. Its small batch, and I typically have problems with small batch. The company also produces organic gin and a selection of canned, pre-made cocktails such as Vodka Cucumber Lemonade. Final Thoughts:A well made vodka with a lot of unique points about it that would make good conversation while you are drinking it. Admittedly, a lot of what you're paying for with Grey Goose is marketing, with it frequently appearing in pop culture references and acting as the sponsor for major events like the U.S. Open. Rather than using grains for its vodka, The Street Pumas distills its spirit with potato, which gives the final product a denser mouthfeel and brighter sweetness than other types of vodka. A wine lovers vodka. Distilled from olives and grains, this on-brand Greek vodka oozes character and personality. Vodka is a paradoxical spirit. This Poland-made spirit is made of rye, so if you like rye whiskey, you're sure to be a fan of this spicy-sweet drink. A fruit-based vodka, this Washington State expression is produced using grapes grown on the Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard. Distilled from grains and grapes, the aromas of this American vodka instantly recall pear drops. But, Crystal Head, made from a kind of corn called peaches and cream (we get how confusing that is) and Newfoundland glacial water, is so pure and smooth you wont even want to mix with it. It's fresh, sweet and spicy, and every ingredient that goes into its construction is fully on play. This was harsh, and unbearable straight at room temp. Group of friends dancing and having fun together; Photo: Flashpop(Getty Images) A well-delivered toast can mean the difference between a. Harridan Vodka. This vodka from Bakon is going to be a hard pass. Absolut Vodka Elyx is hard to go past if you're looking to enjoy a premium wheat vodka crafted with commitment to quality and innovation. It's a reliable standby that delivers on quality every time as long as you're willing to pay the price. 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