According to data from VinePair, in 2020 the brand grew to account for an impressive 25% of the national vodka . This corn-based vodka, distilled in Austin, Texas, is fresh, subtly sweet, and seamed with spice, making it perfect for a Gibson, a dirty Martini, or even one with a bit of pickle brine in it. 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. 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 mixed Reyka with sweet tea. Perhaps, but value and affordability are subjective, and should you be looking to splurge on a bottle, this is the one. 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. Straight out of the freezer it is smooth. 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. From what the hell vodka actually is to nine bottles to buy, this is the definitive guide to everyone's favorite clear spirit. An adults vodka. Sure, vodka is pretty much just an un-aged distilled spirit thats mostly made up of ethanol and water. In fact, the vodka we know of now is far from the spirit is grew out from polugar, Russian for "bread wine." 1. Not only is Harridan softer and milder than you might imagine given its ABV, but there are also nice notes of fruit and warming spices that make it a flavorful sipper. It has a stiff burn, but it seems intentional. 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. Like a tightly bound DNA helix, two ingredients come together seamlessly in this impressive vodka. Given that I cant commit to 5 stars without hesitation, I will give it a very high 4 stars. Whether your jam is something tropical and fruity like guava lime or something more daring like habanero, we can almost guarantee Pinnacle has a flavor for you. It has a somewhat earthy, sweaty aroma, but the flavor is clean and refreshing and agreeably mild. Or at least that's what all these big box vodka brands are trying to sell. But as some bartenders can attest, vodka is more than just an (arguably) acceptable substitute for gin in the Martini. You might not realize it, but there are plenty of great, high-quality vodkas on the market. I am just getting back to vodka after several years away. Wodka Poland Select Vodka. If you cant grab a bottle of this small-production release, the brands standard expression is equally enjoyable if slightly more reserved in character. Light and bright with a subtle sweetness, this vodka holds its own in Dirty Martinis and those simply garnished with an olive. However, vodka can also . 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. Mass-produced vodkas have their place in many people's hearts. We love it in a summer highball with soda. (It's made from 100 percent rye.) Tito's is Texas-made vodka made from corn and people can't get enough of it. The French brand's standard offering is neutral and mild with a clean aroma and minimal aftertaste. So, next time you saddle up to the bar for a vodka martini, this is your brand. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Carter Head Still. His hard work paid off, and today the Pur lineup includes an original version as well as several flavored vodkas and a canned, ready-to-drink Moscow Mule. 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. Even in a mixed drink, Im hating it. Unfortunately, we can't ship Reyka Vodka to the United States at the moment, but we've got some friends who can. I think it is the water they use. Bartenders Name Best Cheap Vodkas Under $30. Its signature skull-shaped bottles might catch your eye, but its products are tasty and versatile enough to keep you coming back for more. Smirnoff is much more than its cloyingly sweet "Smirnoff Ice" bottles. Innovation is at the heart of this brand, and even its filtration system is unique as it filters some of its vodka using semi-precious crystals calledHerkimer diamonds. Despite the craftsmanship that goes into this vodka and the fact that it tastes as good or better than most ultra-premium options it's still reasonably priced. smooth, clean and nice on the nose. In bars across the country, you may more often hear someone say "Tito's soda" over "vodka soda." That sentiment rings true right down to its packaging and price tag. Founded in Russia in 1864, this vodka remains the top world's top seller for its easy-drinking mouthfeel and neutral flavor profile (it's triple distilled and filtered ten times) that lets it pair effortlessly in any cocktail. Reyka on a big cube or some little ones will literally go down like cold water. Based on French winter wheat and spring water, this boasts a plush texture that carries notes of citrus and subtle flowers. One of the true vodka heavyweights, the telltale lemon notes in Ketel One make it well-suited to a Martini with a twist, and its spice stands up to the onions in a Gibson. These tequilas aren't the liquid fire of your early drinking years. Distilled in Italy from a base of organic Italian wheat grown in Piedmont, filtered through black diamonds, and finally micro-oxygenated, this is a silky, elegant, and delicate vodka thats kissed with notes of peach, almond, and springtime flowers, with a whisper of mintiness on the finish. Normally, burning vodkas are a red flag, but this burn is somehow enjoyable in a way no other vodka burn is. We also recommend pairing it with ingredients that are light and fresh like herbs and citrus (basil vodka lemonade, anyone?). The vodka isnt terribly assertive but I can definitely taste the vodka, especially in the aftertaste. 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. A trip to nearly any bar or liquor store will reveal a wide range of vodka options in terms of taste, quality, and price point. Crafted entirely from apples grown in New York State, and distilled by Sauvage Distillery in Charlotteville, NY, this is a wonderful different side of vodka: Ripe apple sweetness frames it all, and hints of brown-butter cookies and vanilla ring through the long, delicious finish. The Prairie line includes a standard vodka and several flavored varieties. 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 a vegan, gluten-free spirit whose subtle sweetness, suggestions of mashed Marcona almonds, and silky texture benefit a wide range of cocktails. Bottle: Thick cylindrical bottle of ice blue tinted glass with rounded off shoulder. Each bottle implements a comic strip that acts to summarize what The Street Pumas hopes to achieve: destroying the standard of boring, flavorless commercially made vodka that dominates the shelves. The 100-percent rye spirit costs less than $20 for a liter bottle, and compared to comparable vodkas in that price range, Wodka is far superior. It has a slight heat to it, but it's redefining what it means to be a bottom-shelf alcohol. With all the choices out there, let's take a look at the best vodka brands on the market, so you'll know exactly what to reach for the next time your thirst needs quenching. Girls Next Door star and one of Hugh Hefners girlfriends, Kendra Wilkinson, claimed in an email that Eminem attacked her. The brand even offers a Zero Sugar Infusions line of flavored vodkas that when combined with soda water, makes for a refreshing, low-calorie spritz. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. You can choose between its Lake Bartek and Smogry Forest versions, which is noteworthy because Belvedere is truly showcasing the fact that just like with wine, terroir is important in vodka production. Broken Shed Premium Vodka. Truth be told, the brand is not actually produced in Russia anymore, with Diageo making it in distilleries around the world that are part of its giant drinks empire, but it's still worth noting this OG Russian brand. I dont know what starch is used to create this vodka, but I wouldnt be surprised if it were potato, due to the creaminess. It's fresh, sweet and spicy, and every ingredient that goes into its construction is fully on play. When we first heard that Dan Aykroyd was launching his own vodka brand, we were skeptical. 21. Refreshing and clear, a real treat to have. I think itd be a good dinner party vodka or maybe a good vodka for a bloody marry. Launched in 1986,Absolut Peppar is the world's first flavored vodka, and there's nothing better in a Bloody Mary. That's why Rodinov & Sons makes its breadwine in Poland. Reply Published July 03, 2018 12:00 am, I think its the best vodka I have drank in years . In terms of taste, Prairie doesn't miss when it comes to flavor. Id rather drink it straight, but its not bad in a cocktail. Corn vodka from Wisconsin's Yahara Bay. It's time to make a better vodka-based cocktail. Not to mention, those bottles make great decorations once they're empty! Rye vodkas . It seems the ideal vodka is one that tastes as close to water as possible. It is then filtered through basalt to remove impurities. All of the proceeds from sales of this vodka go to Razom, which helps fund humanitarian causes and relief organizations in Ukraine. While it's not our favorite in a dirty martini (the soft, sweet flavors clash with the harsh salinity of the olive brine), it's great for a martini with a twist. lightly oily mouth feel on the tongue, mild bite to it on the edges of your tongue. Each sip coats the palate with soft, silky texture before a gently sweet finish rounds things off with a smile. It is made with Icelandic spring water and is said to be one of the purest vodkas available. A wine lovers vodka. The vodka is then watered down and sold at around 80 proof. Reyka vodka is a popular brand of vodka that is produced in Iceland. It delivers a beautifully smooth taste and almost completely non-existent bite, suitable for the novice or seasoned vodka lover alike. Nowadays, the main characteristic of vodka is its neutral flavor. Best Vodka Brands 2023. Zyr, which was introduced in October 2002, is the youngest vodka we tasted but one of the best. Christopher Osburn is a freelance writer located in Rochester, NY. Its profile is fruity and juicy, with just enough heat on the palate to bring character to cocktails without overpowering or distracting. With more than 74 million cases sold in 2019, vodkas dominance as the top spirits category in the U.S. is unquestioned. We recommend sticking to mixed drinks like a vodka lemonade or screwdriver if you're going to drink Smirnoff. My taste isn't terribly refined, apparently, but I'm very interested in trying new vodkas and want to narrow it down as well. 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). We're especially fond of the bottles in its Essences line which are infused with real fruit and botanicals. The Absolute Best Bottles of Gin You Can Buy, The 14 Best Bottles of Rums You Can Buy in 2022, All the Headphones That Work Best with Your iPhone, Power Up Your Recovery with the Best TENS Units, The Best Motorcycle Backpacks You Can Buy, The Best Blazers to Wear When It's Hot Out, The 2023 Cannabis Awards: Our Favorite Weed Gear, Want to Take Better iPhone Photos? It's a quintessential iteration of what many people think vodka should taste like. Pinnacle isn't for serious vodka connoisseurs, but it is for people who think drinking should be fun. Fast forward to yesterday at my home. You already know what Suntory's done for whisky now get a taste of what they're doing to vodka. It's a fine vodka to sip on the rocks, as well as a perfect mixing vodka because of its low price. Type: Grain, Icelandic. Its mild, nuanced flavor has made it a go-to for a myriad of classic cocktails (the cosmo, the Moscow mule, the martini) and modern riffs, and, consequently, a staple of professional and home bars alike. Beluga has been around since 2002, and there are currently several notable lines of vodka in its portfolio that are made from Siberian winter wheat and distilled using fresh, clean, icy Siberian water. It . Its small batch, and I typically have problems with small batch. Grey Goose is a high-quality vodka that's versatile and easy to drink. 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. It can therefore be distilled from any agricultural product containing sugar or starch. 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 . 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