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The Vodka Masters 2024 results

While there were many first-class vodka expressions in this year’s competition, the ones in the highest-priced category particularly impressed the judges.

vodka masters
Ultra-premium vodkas were found to be worthy of their price point in this year’s competition

Reliable and unassumingly versatile, vodka enjoys a loyal fan base around the world. It remains one of the globe’s biggest spirits categories. While enthusiasm for vodka might be somewhat muted in comparison with the loud excitement shared for other categories, the sales figures speak volumes.

In the US alone, in 2023 vodka accounted for 30% of all spirit volumes, generating US$7.2 billion in sales, making it the nation’s best-selling category, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the US.

Globally, vodka has been relatively stagnant since the Covid-19 pandemic. IWSR Drinks Market Analysis data shows vodka’s volumes dipped by 0.3% from 2017 to 2022, while value sales rose marginally, by 0.4%.

Clearly, the category continues to resonate with consumers – despite minimal growth. What exactly, then, is keeping vodka drinkers coming back for more?

Range of styles

vodka master judges
The judges

The Vodka Masters 2024 explored a broad range of vodka styles, spanning price points, raw materials­, regions, and flavours. The common denominator our judges were looking for was quality.

Three panels of experienced spirits judges met at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London to assess the 2024 entries. Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor of The Spirits Business, chaired the first panel, which comprised: Will Meredith, co-founder of beverage consultancy Daisy Age Drinks; and Matt Chambers, spirits writer and co-founder of the Whisky For Everyone blog.

David T Smith – spirits writer, consultant and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo – led a second team. He was accompanied by Rosie Milsom, spirits judge, and Sara-Jane Eichler, founder of Negroni Club UK.

Antony Moss MW, spirits judge and consultant, Steph DiCamillo, of Such and Cocktails by Mail, and Ruchira Neotia, independent drinks consultant, formed the third panel, which was chaired by Bryan Rodriguez-Curtis, wine and spirits judge and professional.

Starting with the most affordable vodka bottles, those priced up to £10 (US$13), the competition got off to a positive start. A Gold medal was celebrated in this opening round: Zoladkowa de Luxe Vodka. The vodka was described as “clean, smooth, with a hint of citrus” on the nose, leading to “a slightly sweeter profile” on the palate. A Silver medal was awarded to Bialy Bocian. “Considering the price, they were both pretty decent,” said Chambers. “It shows that even for that price, you can get a decent product.”

From there, the price bracket increased as the Premium vodkas were presented. These bottlings retail for anywhere from £11 to £20 – and two were deemed to be deserving of the top Master award. First, Bellingshausen Vodka received a Master medal for “doing exactly what it needs to do, and well”. Tasting notes included “clean and crisp with a hint of dried pepper”, and “very mineral”.

Second, Master-winning Broken Bones Vodka presented “floral” notes on the nose. The judges enjoyed the vodka’s “creamy mouthfeel”, enhanced by flavours of “orchard fruit and a peppery finish”.

A trio of Gold medals were also awarded in this round to “well-balanced, slightly nutty” Ellison Ultra Premium Vodka, “clean, crisp and sippable” Sirin Vodka, and “creamy, good entry-level” Omu Vodka. Five Silver medals concluded the flight. Eichler noted: “There are definitely some bargains to be had in this category.”

vodka master A Master medal was also unearthed in the Super Premium flight, which looked at vodkas costing between £21 and £30. The top award was given to Bravada Vodka, enjoyed for its “clean, soft nose”, which led to “a very neutral and crisp character, with just a touch of warmth on the finish”.

A plethora of Gold medals gave the flight a boost, with winners including “characterful, rich and creamy” Meili Vodka, co-founded by actor Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson. Tasting notes included “fudge, vanilla and a posset-like sweet note”. Additional Gold winners included comedian and actor Ricky Gervais’s recent investment, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka. This spirit was described as being “vibrant, with an eau-de-vie quality to it – very tasty”. Three Silver medals completed the flight.

“A great variety of styles with some phenomenal products – definitely worth exploring as a category,” said Milsom.

The highest price point, Ultra Premium, presented vodkas retailing for £31 and above. The judges were delighted to see the quality jump in the flight, with five Master medals awarded. Ukiyo Japanese Rice Vodka was one of the top scorers, praised for being “very indicative of rice character; fruity and dry, rather like shochu – cleanly distilled”.

Master winner Hawkridge Victorian Honey Smoothed Vodka was celebrated for its “underlying cereals and green fruits” on the nose, leading to “butterscotch, a hint of vanilla pod, and warming peppery spices” towards the finish. Also in the Master ranking was Luchino Vodka, which delivered a “luscious texture – absolutely superb”. Eichler described this as a “delicious, well-balanced, fantastic spirit – great integration”.

The fourth product bestowed with a Master award was Royal Mash Vintage Vodka. “Lovely sweetness, very well made,” noted Smith. “Incredibly robust, flavourful. It would make a decent Martini.”

Kiyokawa Vodka won a Master medal in this round, thanks to its “very clean nose, oily, viscous texture, and excellent finish”. Neotia said: “It was like mountain water; incredibly fresh and intensely mineral. Insanely smooth. An exquisite vodka.”

Smith added: “This is really where vodka can go in with a particular profile with amazing results, the connoisseurs’ choice.”

Seven Gold medals and three Silvers were also dished out in the Ultra Premium round. Gold winners included Norrbottens Vodka Brändö Destilleri, and Last Call Chardonnay Vodka. Milsom enthused: “There were some great surprises in this category but with some fabulous innovation.”

vodka master Feel the base

The flights then looked at vodkas according to their base materials, beginning with wheat vodkas. Mailroom Premium Vodka collected a Gold medal in this round after the judges found it to have a “classic nose” with “fruit on the palate, some berries, and a clean finish”.

Ren Ultra Premium Vodka’s “delicate and approachable” quality secured it a Gold medal in the corn-based vodka heat, while Barkeep Vodka picked up a Silver medal.

The Vodka Base – Potato/Sweet Potato round delivered double Gold. The first Gold medal went to “smooth and extremely drinkable” Le Freak. Meanwhile, it was the “expressive, sweet-savoury” flavour profile that secured D1 Potato Vodka Gold.

The aroma of Master-winning Kyrö Vodka really drew the judges in during the Vodka Base – Rye flight. “The palate is very smooth, almost cream like, with chocolate, fudge, dessert-like qualities,” enthused Rodriguez-Curtis. “Stunning, and one for Martinis.”

Wyborowa won a Gold medal in this flight, which delivered “little malty sweetness” on the nose and “a soft texture and rye character” when sipped.

Good character

In the Vodka Base – Grain Blend contingent of the competition, two Golds and one Silver medal were awarded. Meili Vodka collected its second Gold medal in this flight, while Grain Ice Vodka secured the award for its “stony-like character, good character and smoothness”.

Anora Group gained two medals in the Vodka Base – Other Grain heat. The company’s Koskenkorva Vodka won a Silver medal, while Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action achieved Gold. Tasting notes for the Gold medallist described the vodka as “well-rounded, with clotted cream notes, and a touch of spice”. In the Vodka Base – Sugarcane heat, Fellow Vodka won a Silver. Progressing to the Vodka Base – Fruit flight, and Cobalte Vodka also collected a Silver medal.

The Smooth flight looked for precisely that adjective from the entrants – how smooth is the vodka? Three Golds left lasting impressions on the judges, alongside a respectable Silver. The Gold winners were: “classic, green” Misty Isle Pure & Smooth Vodka; “earthy, bready, very smooth” Mutiny Island Vodka; and Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka, which one judge said “smells like Brighton Pier in the summer”, with its candied aromas.

Meili Vodka upped its medal tally in the following flight, Microdistillery, where it secured another Gold award. Cheshire Vodka walked away with a solid Silver.

Beautifully balanced

vodka master A large flight of Organic vodkas followed – with a fresh Master medal to add to the league table. Good Hands was found to be deserving of the Master award due to being “very well made and beautifully balanced”, the judges agreed. Seven Gold medals and two Silvers made for a strong set of results. Among the Gold winners were Drylaw Organic Chardonnay Vodka, which allowed the “Chardonnay to really come through – enjoyable”. Mikolasch The Farmer also secured a coveted Gold award, after the judges praised its “nice balance of citrus and grassiness on the nose; feels very traditional”.

Vodkas were then split into categories based on regions, beginning with vodkas from Europe. Shabo Company had a strong run in this heat, not only securing four Golds but two Master medals. The producer’s Grape Vodka and Grape Vodka Riesling both received the top accolade. The Riesling expression offered a “really characterful nose, with big fruit hits like an eau-de-vie mixed with Granny Smiths”.

Moss said: “Such a delectable, fruity plate that just keeps going and leaving you wanting more. Characterful floral pops scatter throughout as well.” Four Gold medals were also awarded to European vodkas not owned by Shabo Company, such as “smooth and clean” The Standard 1894.

Zernoff Beverages had a stellar flight in the Eastern European heat, where it collected a Master medal, five Golds, and one Silver. The top award was given to Petrovskaia, whose profile was “very delicate and subtle, with a touch of jasmine and camomile”.

The “lovely rich grain aroma” of Meili Vodka helped it win another Gold award in the Rest of the World flight. Additionally, a Silver was presented to Eiko.

There is no denying that flavoured vodkas can divide opinions. However, done right they can be incredibly flavoursome, complex and, importantly, loved by consumers. The Flavoured/Infused Vodka flight was the biggest in the competition – resulting in 12 Silver medals, and six Golds. Absolut Vanilia was agreed to be worthy of a Gold medal because of its true vanilla flavour. The taste and aroma conjured memories of “clotted cream and vanilla icing”.

Furthermore, Vantza Coconut collected a Gold medal for being “creamy and deliciously rich”. Rodriguez-Curtis said: “White chocolate shines through and reminds me of Raffaello sweets.”

While the medal winners impressed, the judges largely agreed there needed to be more authentic flavours in the category. Meredith said: “The only way to improve is if the base level improves and shows some integrity.” Smith and his team concurred.

He said: “When done well, the vodkas can be sublime. But it’s easy to cut corners and quality.”

As the teams approached their last few flights, pleasant surprises continued to create excitement. In the Organic Vodka Spirit Drink heat, a respectable Silver was given to Psycho Love by Vamprose, described as a decent mixing spirit.

The Absolut Group took home three medals in the Flavoured/Infused Vodka Spirit Drink round, including a Silver medal for Absolut Nights Smoky Piña, and two Golds – one for Absolut Nights Orange Peel and Absolut Nights Nordic Spice. Tasting notes shared for Nordic Spice included flavours of “cardamom, sweetness, and a touch of acidity”.

Closing The Vodka Masters 2024 was the Vodka Liqueur round, which delivered a solid Silver medal for Damson No.12.

After resetting their palates, the judges revisited the Master winners from the day to determine which product should take home the most sought-after award: The Vodka Taste Master 2024. After careful consideration, that title was bestowed upon Kirker Greer Spirits-owned Ukiyo Japanese Rice Vodka, loved for its “silky, soft and gentle palate”, and for being a “great example of a rice spirit”.

It’s widely accepted in the spirits trade that price and quality do not necessarily correlate. Interestingly, the opposite was true in this year’s Vodka Masters, where ultra-premium vodkas found the greatest success – showing there is much to be excited about at the higher end of the category.

If producers around the globe can continue to distil at this level of quality, it will not be so surprising to see vodka remain among the world’s biggest spirits categories in the future.


Taste Master – Ukiyo Japanese Rice Vodka

OPTION 1 Ukiyo Japanese Vodka Espresso Martini Hero

A vodka from Asia took this year’s coveted Vodka Taste Master title, beating 12 other products for the award.

This year’s winner, Ukiyo Japanese Rice Vodka, is made with a harvest of locally grown white rice, and is triple-distilled in traditional pot stills.
With an ABV of 40%, judges praised the product for being fruity and dry with sweet and floral notes.

Ukiyo is produced by Kirker Greer Spirits and is available to purchase for an RRP of £35 (US$46).

The Ukiyo range also includes three gins: Tokyo Dry Gin, Yuzu Gin, and Blossom Gin.


Standard
Company Product Medal
Stock Polska Zoladkowa de Luxe Gold
Polmos Bielsko Biala Bialy Bocian Silver

 

Premium
Company Product Medal
Liviko Bellingshausen Vodka Master
Broken Bones Broken Bones Vodka Master
Ellison Brewing Company Ellison Ultra Premium Vodka Gold
Ghanshyam Beverages Sirin Vodka Gold
Alexandrion Saber Distilleries 1789 Omu Vodka Gold
Alexandrion Saber Distilleries 1789 Alexander Vodka Silver
The Absolut Group Absolut Original Silver
Stock Polska Stock Prestige Vodka Silver
Glsb Pulse Vodka Silver
Wyborowa Ostoya Vodka Silver

 

Super Premium
Company Product Medal
World Spirits Bravada Vodka Master
DJ Limbrey Distilling Company D1 Potato Vodka Gold
JA Frey & Co Distillery Vodka Gold
Meili Holding Meili Vodka Gold
Liviko Hôbe Mild Gold
Discarded Spirits Co Discarded Grape Skin Vodka Gold
The Absolut Group Absolut Elyx Gold
Naud Distillery Naud French Vodka Gold
The Community Spirit Vodka The Community Spirit Vodka Gold
Round 2 Spirits Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka Gold
Ellers Farm Distillery Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka Gold
TSI Tovaritch! Vodka Gold
Gattertop Drinks Company Vodka No.1 Silver
Stock Polska Amundsen Vodka Silver
La Martiniquaise Busnel Vodka Silver

 

Ultra Premium
Company Product Medal
Kirker Greer Spirits Ukiyo Japanese Rice Vodka Master & Taste Master
Kiyokawa Co Kiyokawa Vodka Master
Hawkridge Distillers Hawkridge Victorian Honey Smoothed Vodka Master
Luchino International Luchino Vodka Master
Royal Mash Vodka Royal Mash Vintage Vodka Master
Brändö Destilleri Norrbottens Vodka Brändö Destilleri Gold
Brancaster Drinks Brancaster Vodka Gold
Loyal Vodka Loyal Vodka Gold
Mallard Point Last Call Chardonnay Vodka Gold
The Store Oxford The Store Vodka Gold
The Quintessential Yachtsman Yacht Life Vodka Gold
Slab Ventures D’yavol Vodka Gold
Au Vodka Au Vodka Original Silver
Knight Farming Motte & Bailey Vodka Silver
Cripps & Co Cripps Vodka Silver

 

Vodka Base – Wheat
Company Product Medal
Topikos Spirit and Beverage Co Mailroom Premium Vodka Gold

 

Vodka Base – Corn
Company Product Medal
Ren Beverage Company Ren Ultra Premium Vodka Gold
Barkeep Vodka Barkeep Vodka Silver

 

Vodka Base – Potato/Sweet Potato
Company Product Medal
Weinbrennerei Jacobi Le Freak Gold
DJ Limbrey Distilling D1 Potato Vodka Gold

 

Vodka Base – Rye
Company Product Medal
Kyrö Distillery Company Kyrö Vodka Master
Wyborowa Wyborowa Gold

 

Vodka Base – Grain Blend
Company Product Medal
Meili Holding Meili Vodka Gold
Grainotch Industries Grain Ice Vodka Gold
Grainotch Industries Grain Ice Vodka Mango Silver

 

Vodka Base – Other Grain
Company Product Medal
Anora Group Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action Gold
Anora Group Koskenkorva Vodka Silver

 

Vodka Base Sugarcane
Company Product Medal
Dylan Alexander Fellow Vodka Silver

 

Vodka Base – Fruit
Company Product Medal
Champagne Gosset Cobalte Vodka Silver

 

Smooth
Company Product Medal
Isle of Skye Distillers Misty Isle Pure & Smooth Vodka Gold
Mutiny Island Vodka Mutiny Island Vodka Gold
Ellers Farm Distillery Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka Gold
Duh u Boci Old Pilot’s Vodka Silver

 

Microdistillery
Company Product Medal
Meili Holding Meili Vodka Gold
Weetwood Ales Cheshire Vodka Silver

 

Organic
Company Product Medal
Dylan Alexander Good Hands Master
Anora Group Koskenkorva Vodka Organic Gold
Drylaw Drylaw Organic Chardonnay Vodka Gold
Hammarby Sjostad Destilleri Organic Vodka Gold
Fabrika Mikolasch Mikolasch The Farmer Gold
Alcools De Luxe Et Associes Le Philtre Vodka – Edition Limitee Gold
Unikorn Unikorn Gold
Blackleaf Organic Blackleaf Organic Vodka Gold
Alcools De Luxe Et Associes Le Philtre Vodka Silver
Drylaw Drylaw Organic Muscatel Vodka Silver

 

Europe
Company Product Medal
Shabo Company Grape Vodka Master
Shabo Company Grape Vodka Riesling Master
Shabo Company Grape Vodka Gold Gold
Shabo Company Grape Vodka Sauvignon Blanc Gold
Shabo Company Grape Vodka Chardonnay Gold
Shabo Company Grape Vodka Muscat Gold
Ursus Brands The Standard 1894 Gold
Ellers Farm Distillery Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka Gold
I AM Drinks I AM Vodka Gold
BBC Spirits Vantza Smoked Gold

 

Eastern Europe
Company Product Medal
Zernoff Beverages Petrovskaia Master
Zernoff Beverages Petrovskaia Premium Platinum Gold
Zernoff Beverages Zernoff Silver Gold
Zernoff Beverages Zernoff Original Gold
Zernoff Beverages Mendeleev Gold
Zernoff Beverages Zernoff Na Moloke Gold
Zernoff Beverages Zernoff Bar Edition Silver

 

Rest of the World
Company Product Medal
Meili Holding Meili Vodka Gold
BBC Spirits Eiko Silver

 

Flavoured/Infused Vodka
Company Product Medal
Manamira Rosa Vodka Gold
Anora Group Koskenkorva Vodka Vanilla Gold
The Absolut Group Absolut Vanilia Gold
BBC Spirits Vantza Watermelon Gold
BBC Spirits Vantza Coconut Gold
BBC Spirits Vantza Peach Gold
BBC Spirits Vantza Green Apple Silver
BBC Spirits Vantza Mango Silver
BBC Spirits Vantza Pineapple Silver
BBC Spirits Vantza Red Berries Silver
Anora Group Koskenkorva Vodka Lime Silver
The Absolut Group Absolut Hunni Silver
The Absolut Group Absolut Wild Berri Silver
The Absolut Group Absolut Citron Silver
Loyal Vodka Loyal Bubblegum Vodka Silver
Gattertop Drinks Company Botanic No. 7 Silver
MOA Spirits MOA Vodka Silver
Cripps & Co Cripps Amalfi Lemon Vodka Silver

 

Organic Vodka Spirit Drink
Company Product Medal
Vamprose Psycho Love Silver

 

Flavoured/Infused Vodka Spirit Drink
Company Product Medal
The Absolut Group Absolut Nights Nordic Spice Gold
The Absolut Group Absolut Nights Orange Peel Gold
The Absolut Group Absolut Nights Smoky Piña Silver

 

Vodka Liqueur
Company Product Medal
Gattertop Drinks Company Damson No.12 Silver

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