Gone are the times when vodka was merely the most affordable path to intoxication. An business reset within the Nineteen Nineties noticed to that, with among the world’s most revered and well-known manufacturers showing throughout that point.
Add within the latest wave of latest craft and artisanal distillers, and there at the moment are extra premium and super-premium vodkas available on the market than ever earlier than. The selection is unimaginable – whether or not you want it for mixing, making that good martini or splashed over some ice. Right here we take a look at among the greatest examples on the market.
Absolut
Absolut is likely one of the oldest vodka manufacturers established outdoors of the drink’s origins in japanese European. The distillery was based in Åhus in southern Sweden in 1879 and was solely obtainable in its dwelling nation for a century. Then, in 1979, it was launched to the world and has gone on to change into one of many largest international spirits manufacturers.
Absolut can be identified for its collaboration with artists, which now contains over 500 works. This started in 1983 with Andy Warhol and has gone on to incorporate names comparable to Damien Hirst and Helmut Newton.
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Beluga
Named after the sturgeon fish that produces the well-known beluga caviar, this vodka is made in Mariinnsk in central Russia. The city is a key stopping level on the Trans-Siberian railway. The vodka positive factors its silky smoothness from a fancy triple filtration course of. This sees the spirit first handed by way of charcoal, then impregnated silver and eventually sand.
The vary begins at an affordable worth, so you’ll be able to deal with your self and really feel decadent with out breaking the financial institution. Nice taken chilled and neat, accompanied by a spoon of scrumptious caviar.
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Belvedere
This Polish rye vodka heralds from the city of Żyrardów and was first launched in 1993. Since then, the model has change into some of the luxurious available on the market and embraced by musicians and fashionable tradition alike – Belvedere is alleged to be rapper Usher’s favorite and James Bond may very well be seen sipping it in 2015’s Spectre.
Named after the Belweder Palace – the residence of Poland’s president – and made utilizing rye from simply seven native farms, this flavoursome vodka comes packaged in a splendidly elegant tall bottle.
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Eight Lands
Once you consider Speyside your thoughts usually wanders in direction of Scotch. However the well-known whisky area in Scotland can be dwelling to a burgeoning variety of small artisan distilleries. Glenrinnes, dwelling of Eight Lands gin and vodka, is one such place. Quite than tackle the massive whisky manufacturers at their very own recreation, the family-owned distillery has gone down the natural craft spirits route.
The Natural Speyside Vodka is a revelation – candy and creamy with scrumptious notes of white chocolate, delicate cereals and a warming pinch of white pepper.
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Gray Goose
This French vodka was initially produced for the People however has now unfold worldwide. The title took inspiration from geese that drank within the city fountain near the place Gray Goose is made.
Every thing used to provide it’s French: winter wheat is grown after which distilled close to Paris, earlier than the spirit is shipped to the Cognac area close to Bordeaux to be lower with comfortable native spring water that has bubbled up by way of limestone earlier than bottling.
In addition they produce a variety of flavoured expressions if straight vodka just isn’t your factor.
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Koskenkorva
A top quality and multi-award-winning vodka, Koskenkorva has been produced within the small Finnish village of the identical title since 1953. It’s distilled over 200 occasions for additional smoothness and purity and produced utilizing glacial meltwater and barley grown on the distillery’s personal farm. The model is all about conventional manufacturing methods and sustainability and is likely one of the world’s most eco-friendly distilleries.
For an actual style of Finland, attempt their Sauna Barrel Vodka. Quirky, revolutionary and scrumptious.
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Reyka
This Icelandic model is made in small batches from a mix of wheat and barley utilizing spring water that has trickled by way of 4,000-year-old lava rock. Reyka (which means ‘smoke’ in Icelandic) is produced within the coastal village of Borganes and makes use of geothermal warmth and power to energy the distillery. The Grasp Distiller can be the native fireman and policeman.
The stills have a excessive copper floor space to provide an outstanding softness to the spirit. Extremely really useful with traditional vodka cocktails such because the espresso martini or screwdriver.
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Royal Mash
Fancy one thing a bit quirky and completely different? How a couple of vodka comprised of potatoes? Jersey potatoes in actual fact. This craft distillery was the brainchild of meals lovers Peter Le Fol du Taillis and Rachel Caen, a skilled chef.
In contrast to many vodkas, Royal Mash is distilled simply as soon as to protect the character of its uncooked supplies. The result’s wealthy, vegetal and earthy with a comfortable creamy and pleasing mouthfeel. This deep and complicated vodka is one with an actual twist and ideal for an unorthodox tackle a martini.
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Smirnoff
No vodka checklist can be full with out the inclusion of Smirnoff. In any case, it stays the largest promoting vodka on this planet.
The unique distillery was based in Moscow by P. A. Smirnov in 1864. By the Nineties, Smirnov’s vodka was being loved by the Russian Czars and hierarchy. Nevertheless, the model actually rose to prominence when it hit America and the title was anglicised to Smirnoff. This was boosted by the creation of the now-classic Moscow Mule cocktail within the Nineteen Forties – a intelligent collaboration between the model and a Californian bartender.
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Ukiyo
This Japanese rice vodka is a brand new product, however one that’s already making waves and profitable awards. Ukiyo is well-known for its gin model however has just lately expanded into the world of vodka. It’s distilled on the island of Okinawa and long-grain indica rice is used. That is inoculated with black kōji – a fungus that forestalls micro organism progress throughout manufacturing.
The result’s delicate and aromatic aromas and a candy style with clean and creamy texture. In the event you’re a fan of different Asian rice spirits, comparable to shōchū or awamori, then it’s good to do that.
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