What is the Best Vodka?

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed)
Jul 12th 2006 at 4:04PM

We have covered a lot of different vodkas here at Luxist and we're pleased to note that as it has become a more and more popular drink, the production quality at many distilleries has skyrocketed, meaning that there are more premium and ultrapremium vodkas on the market than ever before.

For vodka fans, this is good news because it means more choices and better drinks. But with all the options, I ask you - the Luxist reader - what vodka is so good that you're sipping it straight out of the fridge or freezer, that you wouldn't even think of mixing into a cocktail? What vodka is going to convert that stubborn friend who insists that all "all vodkas taste alike"? Is it a brand that is readily available like Grey Goose or Hangar One, or would you choose something more exotic or harder to find, like Siku (which is made with ice harvested from glaciers) or the new Roberto Cavalli Vodka? Perhaps an organic is your preference, like Square One? Or do you like flavored vodkas, such as the refreshing 44°North or Modern Spirits?

We can't narrow it down, so help us out and tell us what brand you think is the best. After all, we only want the best here.

Tags: best vodka, favorite vodka, premium vodka, ultrapremium vodka, vodka, vodkas

Filed under: Spirits

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 4)

kmhtkmhtkmht Jul 13th 2006 1:30AM

Don't quite remember the exact name but it has a Bull Insignia on the front - Bull something rather in a foreign language, best one in the sense that you can just kinda taste that there is just a bit of alchohol but there really is loads... aka it tastes good (possible for alchohol?) and you don't really know your drinking it.

Russian Vodka drinker Jul 13th 2006 3:40AM

#3 mentioned Russian Standard. #12 and #18 mentioned Imperia. All come from Russian Standard Company(Imperia is their ultra premium). Russian Standard was imported to the US but didn't do well. Imperia is GREAT and you'll see a lot more of it as a major ad campaign and much wider distribution are due soon. Definately the one to try and the one you'll love (their new facility outside of St. Petersburg should help satisfy demand).

Try a bottle of Imperia and you won't be disappointed.

timothy.keene Jul 13th 2006 6:34AM

Skyy. Best value, hangover-free enjoyment. And as always ... drink at least twice as much water to stay well-hydrated.

Martin Jul 13th 2006 8:40AM

Cavalli vodka hands down is the best in my opinion for drinking neat. I thought it was just a nice looking designer vodka bottle. When you drink the vodka straight you need the best vodka quality. My second choice is Jewel of Russia. If I am mixing the vodka (which I rearly do) then anything like Grey Goose, Belvedere or Stoli Elite will work.

M-

Vlad Jul 13th 2006 9:55AM

Looks like European Union regulators are being strongly pressured to ban any Vodka which is not made from cereals and potatoes - so maybe it will be goodbye to all those great traditional vodkas distilled from fruits such as Ciroc, as well as those from sugar cane and molasses - for more info on the Vodka War see: www.european-vodka-alliance.org

James Jul 13th 2006 10:01AM

Armadale. Hands down. Smooth and sweet to the core.

Wade Jul 13th 2006 11:35AM

Tito's Vodka made by Tito Beveridge (Yes, that's his real name.)

http://www.titos-vodka.com/

ZMAN Jul 13th 2006 2:09PM

My personal selection is strictly based on the quality and taste of the vodka-

1- Robert Cavalli
2- Ultimat
3- Belvedere
4- Turi
5- Smirnoff
6- Grey Goose

In my opinion this are the best 6 brands in the market today.

Worst brands in my opinion are -

1- Ciroc
2- Jean Mark XO
3- Imperial

I am sure that they will come up with 100 new brands in the next six months. Good luck!

voddy Jul 13th 2006 2:13PM

this is hilarious because almost no one is putting the same brands.

Maxx Stiles Jul 13th 2006 5:46PM

VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX VOX

vox is the best

John Jul 13th 2006 6:35PM

Hands down Imperia. (and for those who are in the Trendy scene or in a college fraternity , I suggest that crappy Grey Goose)

Chris Sommers Jul 13th 2006 7:58PM

I just discovered Square One, and love it! Starting to see it at hip joints around San Francisco. The fact that it's organic rye really makes a difference. It's the cleanest vodka I've ever sipped. I hear it's locally owned by women. Sip for yourself!

Tara Jul 14th 2006 10:59AM

Square One Organic Vodka is by far my top choice for Vodka, or for any alcoholic beverage for that matter. When it comes to Vodka, if it is not mixed with a strong fruit juice I can not even enjoy it. However, I recently found Square One Vodka; the taste is great, so smooth, and I don't even need any mixers to enjoy this Vodka.

Alex Jul 14th 2006 11:52AM

Yeah, I'm gonna have to go with Ciroc as well. Belvedere is a close second with Level rounding out the top 3.

John R. Kenton Jul 14th 2006 6:43PM

The finest vodka ever made is one called Charodei (share-a-day) from a country we all know and love, Belarus. Introduced into the U.S. in the late 90's and rated by The Beverage Institute a 94 one of the highest ratings ever, but without the millions of dallors necessary for advertising it remained virtually unkown and the only place I know where it is still available is the Virginia ABC stores. Information is available at kamericas.com

Most other distillers use continuous distillations and repetitiously filter their product with charcoal, reverse osmosis or silica to overcome poor quality and soften a harsh product. While this does soften the product in many cases it leaves an unpleasant powdery or metallic taste.

After two decades of dedicated research into water quality and water purification, scientist at the renown Minsk Institute of Technology made a break through discovery. They found that using a natural black flint-like mineral known as Cremia in the filtration system not only has the ability to destroy all of the impurities in the liquid but amazingly allows it to retain the favorable anti-oxidants and retain its original taste.

Every drop of water used in the production of Charodei is filtered through Cremia for two weeks to insure its quality and purity, then after distillation every drop of the vodka is again filtered through Cremia for an additional two weeks. As a result Charodei is as smooth as silk without the traditional alcohol burn, devoid of all the impurities yet with a fine vodka flavor to savor.

While most mass-produced and mass-marketed vodkas are made, bottled and labeled in seconds, it takes at least 4 weeks to make every bottle of Charodei and each and every bottle is hand processed and inspected. identical.

The exceptional purity and quality of Charodei is so superb and the distinctive taste and consistency so apparent that expert judges from around the world have awarded Charodei 14 gold medals in international competition. This is the only product in the history of the distilled spirits industry to ever be so highly and universally acclaimed.

For the connoisseurs. Charodei can be enjoyed without the benefit of any mixers. No vermouth is necessary to make the perfect martini. Just add a couple of olives for color if you like.

Las Vegas Beverage Jul 15th 2006 9:07AM

the Jewel of Russia. Hands down

Jasper Jul 15th 2006 1:46PM

There is an Estonian vodka called "Tall Blonde" made from blonde Estonian wheat which is by far the most delicious vodka I have ever had. It is pure, sublime and magnificent. It is supposedly only sold by one distributor who only sells it to limited restaurants. I have had it before at a restaurant in San Francisco called Mecca, but I am not sure if they still have it.