These are our top 10 vodkas, including the criteria we used to select them. Discover the best vodkas for drinking neat or in cocktails
Criteria for the best vodkas
As with assessing the quality of other spirits, our ranking of the best vodkas focuses on their taste, smell, finish, color, and ultimately, value for money. Our main criteria for distinguishing between different types are designed to help you make an informed decision and give you an idea of what to look for when tasting vodkas (and other spirits).
Which vodkas are the best?
As with everything in life, determining what "the best" is or tastes like is not always easy and depends heavily on personal wishes, preferences, and, not least, one's own taste. Nevertheless, we have taken on this great challenge and compiled a top 10 list of vodkas that are not only considered first-class by connoisseurs and experts but are also extremely popular among regular vodka drinkers.
Absolut Vodka 100 50 % Vol.
Our top 10 list begins with a vodka produced by one of the world's largest spirits manufacturers, Absolut: the new limited edition of Absolut Vodka with a strong 50% Vol. alcohol. For the production of this vodka, southern Swedish winter wheat and purest spring water from the Swedish town of Åhus are used. To prevent contamination of the water, it is drawn from extra-deep wells. In addition to this special feature in production, this vodka variety also impresses with its stylish bottle in elegant black, in which the Absolut Vodka 100 50% is bottled and offered for sale. The taste of Absolut Vodka is reminiscent of wheat with fruity nuances. Due to its limited quantity, we can only recommend all vodka lovers not to miss out on this fine spirit.
Beluga Noble Russian Vodka EXPORT 40 % Vol.
Beluga is another renowned spirits producer known for its premium vodkas. Beluga Noble Russian Vodka is produced in Siberia from naturally grown Russian grain, which is filtered with crystal-clear artesian water. To give this vodka even more aroma and depth, malt is added during production. A particularly precise distillation process is necessary to ensure the unmistakable taste of Beluga Vodka, creating this characterful variety: a luxurious spirit that is pleasant to drink, offers a balanced and rich taste, and satisfies even the most demanding connoisseurs.
Zubrowka BIALA The Original Vodka 40 % Vol.
One vodka variety that impresses with its complete purity and smoothness is Zubrowka Biala Vodka. And to emphasize precisely this purity, this vodka was given the name "Biala," which translates to "white" from Polish. The beautifully designed bottle is adorned with a wisent, which is aptly called "Zubrowka" in Polish, thus explaining the brand name of the manufacturer for those who are not fluent in Polish. Characteristic of Zubrowka Biala Vodka, in addition to its purity and clear color, are its soft character, subtle aromas, and the scent of grain. The taste of this vodka is extremely mild and leads to an intense and long-lasting finish. If you want to warm up on icy Polish winter nights or similar situations, you should opt for the extravagantly clear and smooth Biala from Zubrowka, but you can also enjoy it in summer.
Finlandia Vodka of Finland 40 % Vol.
Finlandia is a vodka producer that has been present on the spirits market for about 50 years and stands for excellent quality. In the production of its vodka varieties, Finlandia places particular emphasis on first-class and extremely careful distillation, filtering out fusel oils and methanol. When tasting Vodka of Finland, we noticed its particularly pleasant, yet strong taste, characterized by a pure and unique bouquet. In addition, this vodka offers a special sharpness with an almost salty bite. Besides drinking it neat, we highly recommend Vodka of Finland for various cocktails.
Crystal Head Vodka 40 % Vol.
The Crystal Head Vodka is something very special on our top 10 list, not only because of its unique taste but also because of the extraordinary bottle shape in which it is bottled. Anyone familiar with mysticism, archaeology, and history has probably heard of the "13 crystal skulls," carved from quartz, thousands of years old, and allegedly possessing magical powers. Symbolically, these crystal skulls are said to represent life and bring enlightenment to their owners. In addition to its unique and fascinating bottle, Crystal Head Vodka naturally has much more to offer, reflected in the double gold medal this vodka received at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco. The color of Crystal Head Vodka is crystal clear. Its aroma is neutral, yet accompanied by various grain notes and a hint of citrus. Its taste, however, is characterized by vanilla and a slight sweetness, which makes this vodka taste particularly silky-smooth overall. The finish of Crystal Head Vodka is not only long-lasting but also wonderfully creamy and sweet.
Ed Hardy Vodka 40 % Vol.
The famous fashion designer Christian Audigier, who passed away in 2015, became known for his extravagant designs featuring tattoo motifs. He also developed his own "Ed Hardy Vodka," which is five-times distilled. Audigier modestly calls it the best-tasting vodka in the world, and there are good reasons for this. This vodka is made from selected wheat and the purest spring water in the Cognac region of France. Thanks to its elaborately designed glass bottle with colorful tattoo motifs, it's not only excellent in taste but also a great eye-catcher on liquor shelves, in bars, or at home in your spirits cabinet. It's no wonder that Ed Hardy Vodka 40% Vol. has earned a permanent place in our top list and is a favorite not only among us but also among our customers.
Belvedere Vodka 40% Vol.
Ladies and gentlemen, clear the stage for Belvedere Vodka 40% – a special treat for the palate. The word "Belvedere," which means "beautiful to see" and in this case refers to a historic royal palace in Poland, is reflected in the design of this vodka. Belvedere is quadruple distilled and made exclusively from rye. The producer of this exquisite spirit can boast a wealth of experience spanning 500 years in addition to producing various first-class vodkas. Due to numerous awards and accolades, Belvedere Vodka is one of the most famous and most awarded vodkas worldwide. To aptly describe the Belvedere drinking experience, one can easily become engrossed in reverie and dreams, as it offers a wide range of flavors and various nuances. In addition to its crystal-clear color, Belvedere is characterized by a scent that can be described as soft, gentle, almost sweet and creamy, perfectly complemented by a hint of vanilla and various rye aromas. Belvedere Vodka 40% unleashes a true explosion of flavors, ranging from full-bodied, round, rich, slightly sweet-salty, and vanilla, to a hint of white pepper and other spices. The taste of a first-class spirit could hardly be richer. Even in its long-lasting finish, this vodka leaves behind hints of almonds and cream. Whether enjoyed neat or with ice in a cocktail, Belvedere Vodka 40% is a must for both connoisseurs and vodka novices.
Gorbatschow Wodka 37.5% Vol.
One of the most famous vodkas worldwide is Gorbatschow Wodka 37.5% from the producer Gorbatschow, which has stood for first-class quality for over 100 years. Founder Leontowitsch Gorbatschow emigrated from St. Petersburg in 1917 to settle in Berlin and subsequently continue his spirits company in Germany. Characteristic of Gorbatschow Wodka are its traditional production method and its triple cold filtration. This gives the vodka its clear taste and an equally pure bouquet. Its absolute purity wonderfully underlines the overall experience of this legendary vodka. As a vodka with a long and tradition-rich history, Gorbatschow Wodka is a highly popular and affordable choice for delicious cocktails like the Moscow Mule and must not be missing from any top list. For more information about this globally famous cocktail, check out our Moscow Mule blog post!
Three Sixty Vodka 37.5% Vol.
This vodka is exactly what we imagine a first-class vodka to be. This diamond-filtered spirit, from which even the smallest suspended particles (up to one micron, equivalent to a thousandth of a millimeter) are removed, is characterized by incredible purity and mildness. Three Sixty Vodka 37.5% is often referred to as "the diamond among vodkas," which is not only due to its purity but also to its uniqueness and distinctiveness in taste. The production of this vodka is based on first-class wheat and an elaborate diamond filtration process, resulting in a vodka that has already won multiple awards. The taste experience with Three Sixty Vodka can be described as mild, elegant, and smooth. If you want to enjoy vodka of the highest quality and purity, you can't go wrong with Three Sixty Vodka 37.5%.
Khortytsa KHOR ICE Flavored Vodka 40% Vol.
Our best vodka list concludes fittingly with Khor Ice Flavored Vodka from the producer Khortytsa. A distinctive feature of Khor vodka is that it is produced using so-called "Wheat Tear" alcohol. Among experts, this vodka, or its premium bottling, is considered one of the highest quality of its kind due to its composition and ingredients. For the production of Khor Ice Flavored Vodka, the Ukrainian producer uses exclusively the purest sources, which, through elaborate and complex steps, yield a first-class vodka. A special feature of the visually appealing bottle in which Khor Ice Flavored Vodka is bottled is that its color changes depending on the temperature. A sophisticated blend of various herbs like mint and menthol gives Khor Ice a particularly refreshing note. Its clear color and intense aroma of peppermint, menthol, and a hint of wheat crackers make this vodka a unique taste experience. The herbal aromas, which one initially perceives with the nose, are reflected in the taste of Khor Ice and linger in a long-lasting finish.
We hope that with our carefully selected vodka varieties, we have been able to provide you with a good overview of some of the best vodkas and show you the criteria and distinguishing features by which to recognize first-class vodka. Ultimately, of course, it mainly depends on your personal taste which variety will ultimately become your new favorite. In our shop, you are sure to find the perfect vodka that appeals to both your palate and your budget. We wish you much pleasure in tasting the vodkas. Na zdorovie!
