Vodka producers are pushing the boundaries of innovation and flavour with an abundance of high-quality products – SB presents the best value brands from the category.
SB presents the best value for money vodka brands on the market
Last month, The Spirits Business held its annual Vodka Masters, where an experienced panel of judges put some of the category’s finest offerings through their paces.
Looking across multiple categories, from standard to super-premium, organic to smooth, with entrants from producers of all scales, the competition saw a number of vodka brands awarded Master medals for their superior quality.
While the individual scores of each entrant are not disclosed, these are 10 of the highest ranking medalists recognised in the competition, listed in no particular order.
While some expressions are not standard priced, our judges have given each vodka listed here the seal of approval for offering excellent quality within their respective price categories.
Click through the following pages to view the top 10 best value for money vodkas of 2018.
Price: £9
The first Master medal of the day was bestowed upon Park Gida’s Kosmos Vodka in the Standard flight.
The vodka was praised for its “lovely lilac notes” and “good balance”. Judges felt it was “very impressive” for its price bracket – at less than £10.
Price: N/A
In the Microdistillery flight, a Master was found in Eaglesburn Distillery’s Just Another Vodka, which was described as “complex and distinct”.
Produced at the Netherlands-based Eaglesburn Distillery, Just Another Vodka is made with pure grain alcohol, water filtered through the Veluwe sand and a drop of Eaglesburn Distillery Dry Gin.
Price: £39.95
A Master medal was given to Renaissance Vodka in the Ultra Premium flight, which was said to have a “lovely viscosity” and “creamy nutmeg” flavour. One judge said of the expression: “This vodka took you on a journey through several distinct flavours, but they all balanced really well. This is a really well thought through product.”
The expression is crafted using English ingredients at a microdistillery near Cambridge. East Anglian sugar beet and Yorkshire spring water are distilled in handmade copper stills in small numbered batches.
Price: £9.99
A Master medal went to Diageo’s Smirnoff Peppermint Twist after impressing with its “fresh Polo Mints taste”.
The limited-edition vodka is best applied to Christmas cocktails or served as a shot. Other vodka flavours in the Smirnoff portfolio include Grape, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Coconut and Cranberry.
Price: CA$45.25
In the Super Premium round, a Master was bestowed upon White Keys Vodka, which one judge said reminded him of shochu, with its earthy and smooth profile.
Another judge noted: “It’s got plenty going on, but as much as you’d want for a vodka. It’s a beautiful spirit.”
White Keys Vodka is made with Canadian grain and De l’Aubier sap water and is distilled in small batches in Montreal.
Price: £34.55
English brand Ramsbury Vodka secured a Master medal in the Europe flight.
One judge said: “This had chewy caramel and spiced ginger ripping right through it. A stunning vodka.”
Ramsbury Vodka is produced at the Ramsbury Estate and is made from wheat grown in the Wiltshire countryside.
Price: US$21.99
Swedish vodka brand Purity Vodka 17 swiped the Master accolade for what one judge described as its “textural sumptuousness”.
Another member of the judging panel added: “This is a really lovely vodka and would be delicious on its own with some bread.”
Price: N/A
Produced by Omsons Marketing, Master winner OPM Vodka was praised by one judge who said: “There was flavour in there without being any less smooth. Nothing was sacrificed.”
The Russian vodka is passed through silver filtration to “further enhance its aroma, taste, mouthfeel and overall drinking experience” according to the brand.
Price: £20.57
Master winner Koskenkorva Sauna Barrel was deemed to have a “sweet and soft finish of vanilla”.
One member of the panel noted: “This is a really clever construction of barrel-aged vodka – it balances the wood with the vodka. The cask isn’t dominant; it complements the liquid beautifully.”
The cask-aged Finnish vodka from Koskenkorva is produced by drinks group Altia.
Price: £27.90
Gustav Dill Vodka impressed the judges to win a Master medal in the flavoured flight. The expression, which was agreed by the judges as perfect in a Martini, is made in the Finnish city of Kuopio.
The vodka was praised for its unmistakable herbal character and is produced by Lignell & Piispanen.
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