Grey Goose Interpreted By Ducasse
This top shelf vodka is a collaboration between the French vodka brand and legendary chef Alain Ducasse. While the flagship Grey Goose is made with French wheat, this one takes it a step further. The Ducasse version is made from three types of toasted French wheatlight, medium, and dark toasted.
SRP $99
Best Overall: Hangar 1
Region: California | ABV: 40% | Tasting notes: Orange, White pepper, Cinnamon
In 2002, St. George Spirits birthed this small-batch vodka in an old aircraft hangar in California. Proximo Spirits, which bought the brand back in 2010, still produces it at the old Naval Air Station Alameda on San Francisco Bay, albeit in a new distillery.
There, a wheat-based, column-distilled vodka gets blended with vodka made from viognier grapes that have been run through copper pot stills. The result boasts a layered flavor profile that spans the divide between syrupy and savory, between subtlety and burns. Hangar 1 is a vodka that will please everyone at the party, from newbies wanting a slightly fruity touch to their Cosmopolitans to seasoned imbibers looking for a rounded floral perfume in their Gibson.
Best Russian Vodka: Stolichnaya Elit
There is a distinctly fresh nose on Stoli Elit, which is the result of the freeze filtration process used in production. Based on older Russian methods of leaving the alcohol outside so that impurities could drop to the bottom, this method produces an extra smooth finish that makes the price tag worth it.
The word vodka is derived from the Slavic word for little water, and is meant to capture the essence of the original description of the spirit, aqua vitae or water of life. The first time the word shows up in documents is in Poland in the 1400s. Though only appearing in the 15th century in writing, there is little doubt that the spirit was being produced at least by the 9th century, primarily for medicinal use.
Although there is still a great amount of disagreement and debate, it seems more than likely that vodka traveled from Poland to Russia probably sometime in the 14th century. Even if the Russians didnt invent vodka, they have certainly made it their own, as vodka has come to be identified especially with Russia and Russian culture. Several other countries in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia also adapted and adopted vodka as one of the spirits of choice. Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Russia make up what is commonly called the vodka belt. These countries represent the places where traditional methods for producing the spirit first started and were refined.
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Best Vodka Brands For A Top
Rumor has it that finding the best vodka is difficult since vodka is a neutral spirit. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. While vodka has more of a neutral flavor than other spirits, there are subtle flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel differences based on the ingredients and water used as well as how well the vodka is distilled and filtered. So while the differences may be subtle, true vodka afficionados recognize that a quality vodka makes a big difference in cocktails or for sipping.
What Are The Top 5 Whiskeys
Most big-name whiskeys fall into this category as theyre more affordable and great as go-tos for cocktails.Henry Mckenna Single Barrel 10-Year. Redbreast 12-Year. Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye. The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old. Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky. George Dickel Barrel Select.More itemsMar 17, 2021
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If You’re Going For Cheap New Amsterdam Vodka Will Serve You Well
There are some people out there who drink because they enjoy the flavor, while others are just looking for a good time. If you’re someone who wants to get a bit of a buzz without spending a ton of money , then New Amsterdam vodka might be a good choice for you. At just $11.99 for a 750ml bottle, the price does a lot of the talking about the smoothness of this spirit. New Amsterdam has also gotten a variety of colorful reviews, so let’s take a look at some of them, courtesy of Total Wine.
One reviewer cut right to it, saying, “Nail polish remover probably tastes better.” Six simple words that give so much sensory detail. The review continued, “When I first opened bottle I almost dropped it because it smelled that bad. I thought it would be decent vodka at budget price. I guess you get what you pay for!!” Another wrote, “Not the best in my opinion. But anything will work for mixed drinks if they are made right.” So if $11.99 sounds good to you, just proceed with caution.
Leopolds Silver Tree American Small Batch Vodka
Origin: Denver, CO, U.S.A.Price: $40 for 750 ml.ABV: 40%: Leopold Bros.
Perhaps the most prolific distiller of different small batch spirits in the United States, Leopold Bros. can hang its hat on the masterpiece it produced in Silver Tree American Small Batch Vodka.Unlike most vodkas, which are produced from potato, barley or wheat individually, this vodka incorporates all three ingredients for a truly unique combination. It goes through seven separate distillations and is ruggedly strained and never filtered, creating a light and clean finish.
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American Liquor Co Vodka $24
Meet American Liquor Co. Vodka, the first-ever 4-crop vodka blend made from locally-grown Midwest winter wheat, light rye, Rio Grande potato and white corn. Vodka enthusiasts William Brumder and Michael Slapp set out to create a distinctly American spirit that could stand out in a neutral, yet crowded, category and they succeeded with a clean, yet complex vodka. First, you taste the wheat, with berry fruit notes then comes the corn, which adds a velvety, buttery mouthfeel next, you get the rye, which tastes a lot like the peppery grain itself and finally, the potato adds a grassy earthiness thats full, rounded and creamy. Mix with dry vermouth for a crisp martini or sip it straight for vodka with layers of depth. Shop American Liquor Co. Vodka, $24
Chopin Potato Vodka Isn’t As Bad As It Sounds
It’s safe to say that the potato is one of the most versatile vegetables out there. From French fries to vodka, the simple potato has proved itself time and time again. But still, it does sound a little weird to have the label “potato vodka” on your spirit of choice, but that’s how the Chopin Potato Vodka is marketed. Named after the famous composer, the Chopin Potato Vodka is hitting just below the middle of the pack, and it’s a fairly decent option.
According to GearMoose, Chopin Potato Vodka is one of the better “under $30” vodkas out there, as it is four times distilled and “has a creamy finish,” and it’s great when making a dirty martini . So what do the reviews say for the brand? “Smells like vodka, tastes like vodka. Very neutral,” a reviewer wrote on Flaviar. “A little of lemon and pepper with an oily texture. Overall, not bad. Different. Creamier than what I’m used to. Give it a try.” Another echoed that sentiment, saying that it was “surprisingly inoffensive for vodka.” So maybe give it a whirl you might like it.
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The Eye Of The Dragon $55 Million
Hong Kong-based Dutch company Royal Dragon released The Eye of the Dragon with a determination to make it spectacular inside and out. This vodka is one of the smoothest on the market, thanks to its distillation process, and uses charcoal to distil the spirit five times. Outside, the bottle is covered with 50-carat intense yellow jewels with around 15,000 diamonds weighing 2 kilogrammes of solid 18-karat gold. The dragon on top of the bottle is also studded with millions-worth of diamonds.
Belvedere Is One Of Our Top Three Picks
If you’re a “I’m going to buy this vodka because I like the label” kind of person, then we’ll be surprised if you’ve never picked up a bottle of Belvedere before. The name itself just sounds fancy, and, as noted by Drizly, the vodka itself is excellent. Belvedere markets itself as the “true expression of luxury vodka,” and is the result of a 600-year vodka-making tradition originally from Poland. It is made with Polish Dankowski Rye and is distilled four times in order to “create the perfect balance of character and purity.” It also doesn’t have any added glycerin, sugar, or additives, so you know you’re getting the good stuff.
Belvedere is a fantastic choice as well, because it is not only great for sipping, but it makes the perfect martini . The only slight downside to Belvedere, as you may have guessed, is the cost. For a 1L bottle, you’re looking at dropping about $40, which isn’t exactly the most budget-friendly idea. But if you have a bit to spare, Belvedere is absolutely the right choice.
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What Is The Healthiest Alcohol You Can Drink
7 Healthy Alcoholic DrinksDry Wine Calories: 84 to 90 calories per glass. Ultra Brut Champagne. Calories: 65 per glass. Vodka Soda. Calories: 96 per glass. Mojito. Calories: 168 calories per glass. Whiskey on the Rocks. Calories: 105 calories per glass. Bloody Mary. Calories: 125 calories per glass. Paloma.
There’s A Reason Why This Versatile Spirit Is The Most Popular In The World
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Liquor / Chloe Jeong
An unaged spirit distilled and filtered repeatedly to achieve smoothness and clarity, vodka has had a reputation for blandness. It was even long defined as “without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color” by The Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau . In April 2020, though, the bureau dropped the definition that held vodka back, acknowledging something that experts know: vodkas are wildly diverse, distilled using everything from grains to grapes, milk to maple sap.
With that said, how should you decide among them? Charles Joly, spirits tasting judge and founder of Crafthouse Cocktails, says Most people want something relatively neutral, but that doesn’t mean it has to lack character. When he judges a vodka, he considers the quality of the distillate: It shouldnt have an aggressive burn.” He wants an aroma that hints at the raw material used to make the vodka, be it grapes, potatoes, or grain. And he looks for a creamy mouthfeel without a cloying glycerin texture, as well as a clean, mouthwatering finish. From big, bold, and spicy to smooth and sweet, or anything in between, theres a vodka out there for every palate. With the help of our experts, below you’ll find a curated list of the best vodkas to get right now.
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What Is The Healthiest Vodka Brand
This feels like a trick question. To be sure, any alcohol that is over-consumed is not good for you. According to some doctors and healthcare experts, spirits should be avoided altogether. But, if consumed in moderation, vodka, like any spirit, can be enjoyed with minimal risks to your health. People who live outside the countries of the so-called vodka belt tend to drink vodka in mixed drinks. And mixed drinks tend to be loaded with sodium and sugar. So, if you want to talk about the best or healthiest way to consume vodka, its going to be sipping it straight or on the rocks.
Among the vodkas with the lowest calorie count are Ketel One, Absolut, Belvedere, and Stolichnaya, all of which have about 96 calories per 1.5 ounce shot. Ketel One has also recently launched a series of flavored vodkas that feature botanical infusions, which they advertise as diet vodka.
There are also vodkas that are distilled from non-GMO organic plant materials, like wheat, rye, and sugar cane. In addition, if you have any trouble with gluten, there are a number of gluten-free options. Potato-based vodkas are the best gluten-free choice. In the end, what will make your consumption of vodka healthy is if you moderate and drink responsibly!
How Do You Infuse Vodka
Infusions are actually extremely simple to do, says Park. All it takes is picking out your ingredient to create the flavor profile you wish and sealing them in an airtight vessel with the vodka to infuse together. It can be done in as early as 24 hours, but some do take quite a bit longer. Generally, the higher the water and sugar content, the quicker it will infuse.
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Beluga Gold Line Vodka
Beluga Gold Line Vodka is made with grain like its other bottlings. This version however is filtered five times rather than three for its Beluga Noble bottling. Additionally, additives such as milk thistle extract, oat extract, honey and vanilla are included. This limited edition top shelf bottling comes with a hammer and brush to assist with the removal and clean-up of the wax bottle enclosure.
SRP $100
Grey Goose Comes In At No 5 For Good Reason
You might be surprised to see Grey Goose in the No. 5 slot. Grey Goose has great vodka there’s no doubt about it and it’s made with “only the finest French ingredients,” as noted by Reserve Bar. Grey Goose is primarily made with a soft winter wheat and “pure spring water from Gensac in the Cognac region,” which just saying out loud sounds fancy. There’s a very specific process that Grey Goose vodka goes through in its “field-to-bottle” experience, and what you pick up in the grocery store is a gorgeous bottle with a spirit that is sure to be excellent.
Even the reviews on Influenster are on the positive side, with one customer writing that “you won’t be disappointed” if you pick up a bottle of Grey Goose. Another user wrote that it is one of the best vodkas on the market.
So, why isn’t it closer to the top spot on this list? It mostly has to do with price. For just 750ml of vodka , it’ll set you back $34. Not exactly the most economical choice, but you get what you pay for.
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What Vodka Goes Down The Easiest
The 13 Best Cheap Vodkas Under $25 That We Promise Wont Taste Like Rubbing Alcohol
- Titos Handmade Vodka. BEST OVERALL.
- Deep Eddys Lemonade Vodka. BEST FLAVOR.
- Prairie Organic Vodka. BEST ORGANIC.
- Ketel One Vodka. MOST SURPRISING.
- Svedka. BEST FROM THE FUTURE.
- Russian Standard Vodka.
- Three Olives Rosé Vodka.
Hangar 1 Fog Point Vodka
This top shelf vodka uses San Francisco Bay fog in its production. The fog is captured using mesh netting with the resulting water droplets falling into a receptacle for collection. The water is then carbon-filtered, boiled, then re-filtered and added to the still-proof vodka to bring it down to 80 proof. The vodka itself is distilled from chenin blanc & viognier wine sourced from Californias Pine Ridge winery. All profits go toward water conservatory in California.
SRP $125
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What Is Top Shelf Whiskey
Top Shelf Whiskey Picks From The Distiller Community
- 10 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A121.
- 9 Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon.
- 8 Port Charlotte 10 Year.
- 7 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.
- 6 Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr.
- 5 Green Spot Single Pot Still.
- 4 Willett Family Estate Bottled Rye 4 Year.
Best Middle Shelf Vodka
Purity Vodka is Flaviar’s top rated vodka in the $20 to $50 price range consumers rate it at 8.6 out of 10 stars. It’s an estate-grown and distilled Swedish vodka made from winter wheat and barley that is distilled 34 times for a smooth, clean finish. Expect top notes of citrus with flavors of black pepper and vanilla. You’ll pay about $35 per 750 mL bottle.
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Best Middle Shelf: Reyka Vodka
Region: Iceland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Lemon, cereal, pepper
The secret to Icelands Reyka Vodka, named after the ancient Icelandic work for steam, is water. The distillery sources its water from a glacier that runs through a 4,000-year-old lava field in the shadow of Mount Hafnarfjall. The emission-free Icelandic distillery channels that same volcanic energy to power the distilling operations.
What results from the process is one of the smoothest vodkas on the market, with a wet, clean taste and no lingering heat or biting aftertasteperfect for people who arent fans of the sharp taste of the vodka.
Not all vodkas are created equal. The best are clean with subtle flavors that enhance classic cocktails, like martinis, cosmopolitans, and bloody marys. Arelene Roldan, Co-Owner and Mixology Maven at The Mermaid
Region: Poland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Bay leaf, green pepper
This budget-friendly vodka is beloved by mixologists, particularly because its a great base for bloody Marys, Moscow mules, and beyond. Its become the go-to vodka for Roldan at The Mermaid in LA. Our bar highly recommends Wodka. Its a Polish vodka with a high-quality taste that holds up well in cocktails.
Using a budget vodka? I use low-brow vodka for cocktails that are higher in citrus and/or sugar content. One great way we use this category of vodka is in frozen cocktails, says Danny Park of The Robey.