Flavored Vodka 2016
 

 

Best Flavored Vodka - 2016

The Fifty Best Flavored Vodka Tasting

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting with 17 members of the spirits judging panel and 28 flavored vodkas in three separate categories: Fruits, Coffee, and Herbs, Spice & Miscellaneous. The judges were informed of the categories and flavors, but not the brands. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the flavored vodkas were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water and unsalted chips and crackers were available to cleanse the palate.

The Flavored Vodkas were tasted in groups, according to flavor category – with medals awarded on the basis of the judging panels’ rating of all flavored vodkas from that group. The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the best. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded in this tasting.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The states/countries of origin and other tidbits are identified for each brand.

 



Flavor Category: FRUITS

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Blue Ice Island Coconut
(U.S.) Multi grain, 5x distilled. 70 prf

Aroma: Coconut, toasted coconut, vanilla, clean, attractive, well-balanced.
Palate: Coconut, sweet coconut, cream of coconut, Almond Joy, buttery, vanilla, Malibu-like, silky smooth, instant classic.
Finish: Coconut, pineapple, buttery, spicy, flavorful, not too sweet, clean, smooth, silky, elegant, good to blend.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



   Blue Ice Island Coconut Vodka



Heritage Distilling Ruby Red Grapefruit
(WA) Distilled from grapes. 60 prf

Aroma: Red grapefruit, grapefruit peel, citrus, strawberry, grassy, peppery.
Palate: Red grapefruit, acidic grapefruit, lemon-lime, citrus, tart, intense, clean.
Finish: Grapefruit, like an 80s Tropicana grapefruit, ginger root, slightly tart, very clean, pleasant.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Heritage Distilling Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka



Clear10 Citrus
(Good Spirits Distilling, KS)
Midwest grain, 4 column still, 10x filtered. 80 prf

Aroma: Lemon-lime, citrus, key lime pie, lemon candy.
Palate: Lime, citrus, lemon peel, lime peel, tangerine, citrus candy, limoncello, peppery, not too sweet, tart, good acidity, liquor-like, well-balanced.
Finish: Sweet lime, tangerine, citrus, lemon peel, grainy sugar, round mouthfeel, well-balanced, likeable.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Clear10 Citrus Vodka



Heritage Distilling Mango
(WA) Distilled from grapes. 60 prf

Aroma: Mango, Mexican dried mango candy with chile, mango ice cream, fruit cocktail, sour mash of fruit, fruit forward, intense.
Palate: Mango, lemon, tropical, sugar cane, honey, anise, licorice, cumin, medium sweetness, well-balanced, complex, attractive, natural flavor, really authentic flavor.
Finish: Mango, deep cane sugar, nice texture, soft, smooth, mellow, elegant, great for cocktails.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Heritage Distilling Mango Vodka



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Finlandia Lime
(Finland) Natural flavored. 75 prf

Aroma: Lemon, lime, citrus, 7-Up, bright, cool, clean.
Palate: Lime, lime zest, limeade, lime oil, watermelon Gatorade, tree bark, spicy, mineral-like, approachable, refreshing, very good as a mixer.
Finish: Lime, citrus, loganberry, pomegranate, herbal, tart, clean, natural, good balance, tasty, great.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Finlandia Lime Vodka



Stoli Razberi
(Latvia) 75 prf

Aroma: Raspberry, berry, apple, grape, Schweppes raspberry seltzer, tart, bright, clean.
Palate: Raspberry, berry, powerful bursts of clean fruit, tart apple, lemon, very lean, clean, not sweet, well balanced, soft, smooth.
Finish: Forward berry, cherry, lemon peel, buttery, light spice, tart, clean, smooth, flavorful.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Stoli Razberi Vodka



Heritage Distilling Peach
(WA) Distilled from grapes. 60 prf

Aroma: Sour peach candy, light fresh peach, orange, rosé wine, clean, bright, smooth, pale pink.
Palate: Not quite ripe peach, Snapple peach ice tea, tangerine, candy, silky, creamy, perfectly balanced, smooth, mellow.
Finish: Peach, peach ice cream, vanilla bean, soft, silky, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Heritage Distilling Peach Vodka



Spa Girl Cocktails Pear Martini
(CA) 6x distilled. Gluten free. 33 prf

Aroma: Pear, peach, apple, unripe Granny Smith.
Palate: , green apple, lightly infused white peach, citrus, lemon, melon, grassy, 7-up, very light, smooth, bright.
Finish: Pear, clean, subtle, soft, light, delicate, very clean.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Spa Girl Cocktails Pear Martini Vodka



Devotion Blood Orange
(Devotion Spirits, WI) Corn, distilled 6x. 80 prf

Aroma: Orange, citrus, orange peel, raspberry, Fruit Loops, natural.
Palate: Freshly cut orange, blood orange, tangerine, grapefruit, citrus, orange peel, orange hard candy, orange seltzer, raspberry, smoky, full flavors, well-balanced.
Finish: Orange, lemon, citrus, spicy, smoky, very fresh.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Devotion Blood Orange Vodka



Blue Ice Sweet Peach
(U.S.) Distilled from American grain, 5x distilled. 70 prf

Aroma: Peach, nectarine, citrus, floral, ice tea, cigar tobacco, bright.
Palate: Peach, canned peaches, grape, buttery, maple, sage, tea, wood, oaky, tart.
Finish: Peach, lemon-lime, sweet, clean, complex, attractive.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Blue Ice Sweet Peach Vodka



Marz White Cranberry
(France) 100% French wheat. 70 prf

Aroma: Cranberry, blueberry, white grape juice, light apple, pepper, rye, clean.
Palate: Tart cranberry, frozen cranberry, apple peel, tart grapes, grain, tart, well-balanced, delicate, refreshing.
Finish: Cranberry, hint of chocolate, spicy, pronounced, nicely balanced, silky, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Marz White Cranberry Vodka



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Cruz Berrylicious
(Produced in the U.S. Bottled in South Africa.)
Blueberry, blackberry & golden raspberry. 70 prf

Aroma: Strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, watermelon.
Palate: Real tangerine.
Finish: Fruit, clove, dusty, earthy, soft, mellow, flavorful.


Silver Medal
 Silver medal



Cruz Berrylicious Vodka Infusion



Cruz Raspberry
(Produced in the U.S. Bottled in South Africa.) 70 prf

Aroma: Raspberry, raspberry jam, strawberry, cherry blossom, cotton candy, bubblegum.
Palate: Raspberry, wild raspberry, raspberry Jolly Rancher, wild berries, grapefruit, sweet cane, mint.
Finish: Raspberry, lemon, bubblegum from baseball cards, slightly tart, perfume-like, silky, balanced, approachable, intense.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Cruz Raspberry Vodka



Belvedere Peach Nectar
(Poland)
Peach & apricot flavored, real fruit no sugar added. 80 prf

Aroma: Peach, plum, apple, aromatic exotic fruit, fruit roll-up, burnt sugar, caramel, baking spices, intense.
Palate: Peach, tangerine, orange, pomegranate, mango, red apple, mixed fruit, sharp oily peach rind, spicy.
Finish: Peach, spicy, peppery, wood barrel, clean.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Belvedere Peach Nectar Vodka



Blue Ice Blue Raspberry
(U.S.) American grain, 5x distilled. 70 prf

Aroma: Raspberry, blueberry, plum, citrus, lemon, blue Curaçao, sweet candy, well-perfumed.
Palate: Raspberry, blueberry, bubblegum, clean.
Finish: Lemon, licorice, clean, crisp.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Blue Ice Blue Raspberry Vodka



Arktika Raspberry
(Australia)
Natural spring water, natural flavored infused.
Triple distilled, charcoal filtered. 60 prf

Aroma: Raspberry, blueberry, berry, grape, lime, tropical fruit, Havana punch, Capri-Sun, fruit bubblegum, floral, fresh air.
Palate: Raspberry candy, berry, blueberry, tropical fruit, watermelon, orange, orange Kool-Ade, lemon, light grape drink, bubblegum, anise, licorice, easy.
Finish: Blueberry, grape, saltwater taffy, soft, clean.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Arktika Raspberry Vodka



Arktika Lemon-Lime
(Australia)
Natural spring water, natural flavored infused.
Triple distilled, charcoal filtered. 60 prf

Aroma: Lemon, lime, key lime, citrus, lemon-lime soda, pear, elderflower, floral, mint, wintergreen.
Palate: Real tangerine.
Finish: Lime, pear, light floral, iced coffee, cream, clean, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Arktika Lemon-Lime Vodka



Finlandia Cranberry
(Finland) Natural flavored. 75 prf

Aroma: Cranberry, berries, sour apple, floral, faint juniper, cream, wet stone, wet leaves, tart, Christmasy, like a bière de garde.
Palate: Cranberry, raspberry, blueberry, berry, citrus, lime, orange peel, mint, spearmint, peppery, piney, tart, good balance of sweetness.
Finish: Spearmint, mint, herbal, pine notes, flavorful, clean, good for Bloody Mary, I want this for cocktails.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Finlandia Cranberry Vodka



Devotion Black & Blue
(Devotion Spirits, WI)
Blackberry & blueberry flavored. Corn, distilled 6x. 80 prf

Aroma: Dark berries, bitter blueberry, light mint, very nice.
Palate: Blueberry, sour apple, aperitif, dry.
Finish: Blueberry, blackberry, berries, sour apple, berry hard candy, blueberry bubblegum, vanilla, licorice, anise, tart, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Devotion Black & Blue Vodka



Flavor Category: COFFEE

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNER

Glass Kona
(Seattle, WA)
Distilled from grapes, infused with Kona coffee. 80 prf

Aroma: Like a great cup of coffee, unsweetened coffee, coffee beans, cacao, butterscotch, toffee, caramel, molten chocolate cake, lovely.
Palate: Wonderful coffee, espresso, unsweetened coffee, ground coffee, creamy, caramel, orange, lemon, licorice.
Finish: Toffee, buttery, coffee grounds, super dry, flavorful, smooth, bright.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Glass Kona Vodka



Flavor Category: HERBS, SPICE & MISC.

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Spa Girl Cocktails Spa Martini
(CA) 6x distilled. Gluten free. 33 prf

Palate: Cucumber, dill, vegetal, pickles, mint, spearmint, thyme, cumin, woody, clean, fresh.
Palate: Cucumber, sweet pickled cucumber, dill pickle, lemon, lemonade, melon, hint of mint, spearmint, not too sweet.
Finish: Citrus, rose petals, floral, herbal, mint, clean, bright, gentle, refreshing.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



   Spa Girl Cocktails Spa Martini Vodka



Wendy Peppercorn
(Long Road Distillery, MI)
Infused with pink peppercorns. 101 prf

Palate: Aroma: Fresh peppercorn, pink peppercorn, green peppercorn, black peppercorn, peppery, spicy, mango, ginger, mint, basil, smoky, attractive, vibrant.
Palate: Pink peppercorn, red peppercorn, black peppercorn, spicy, sauce au poivre, sweet basil, mint, wintergreen, wonderful mouthfeel, well-balanced, smooth.
Finish: Peppery, spicy, mint, earthy, surprisingly sweet, soft, subtle, perfect for a Bloody Mary, enjoyable.

Double Gold Medal
 Double Gold medal



Wendy Peppercorn Vodka



Valentine White Blossom
(Valentine Distilling, Detroit, MI)
Elderflower flavored. Grain based. 70 prf

Aroma: Magnolia, lilac, jasmine, fresh blossom, floral, honeysuckle, lemon, lime, citrus, peach, white vermouth.
Palate: Elderflower, lilac, floral, honey, honeycomb, vanilla, peach, lychee, grapefruit, lemon, light citrus, vegetal, herbal, oaky, wood barrel, very well-balanced.
Finish: Elderflower, rose, floral, bitter grapefruit, peppery, oak, wood, good balanced sweetness, delicious.

Double Gold Medal
 Double Gold medal



Valentine White Blossom Vodka



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

SILO Cucumber
(SILO Distillery, VT)
100% Vermont corn, locally grown peeled cucumbers. 80 prf

Aroma: Cucumber, string beans, green vegetables, water chestnut, vegetal, herbal, earthy, mild wood.
Palate: Cucumber, cucumber with skin on, green beans, vegetal, basil, refreshing floral, light mint, pure, clean, organic.
Finish: Cucumber, vegetal, clove, honey, pleasant, smooth, refreshing, the essence of cucumber, classic.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



SILO Cucumber Vodka



Glass Spice
(Seattle, WA)
Distilled from grapes, infused with Ceylon cinnamon. 80 prf

Aroma: Toffee, Fireball candy, gingerbread, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cassia, cardamom, allspice, light sage, spicy, soft pepper.
Palate: Honey, apples, Fireball candy, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cassia, cardamom, allspice, saffron, peppery, Gammel Dansk, full flavor.
Finish: Cinnamon, hot spice, gingerbread, soft eggnog, balanced, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Glass Spice Vodka



Maid of the Meadow Herb & Honey
(Denning’s Point Distillery, Beacon, NY)
Infused with wild herbs & honey. 80 prf

Aroma: Honey, herbal, lemon, citrus, pleasantly nutty, heavy oak.
Palate: Dandelion, herbal, honey, Ricola candy, alpine, very Euro, black tea, blueberry, cherry, tobacco, leather, creamy, complex, not too sweet, nicely blended.
Finish: Spearmint, mint, herbal, pine notes, flavorful, clean, good for Bloody Mary, I want this for cocktails.
Finish: Dried herbs, herbal, honey, butter, creamy, peppery, woody, soft, smooth, mellow, nice savory quality.

Gold Medal
 Gold medal



Maid of the Meadow Herb & Honey Vodka



Arktika Vanilla
(Australia)
Natural spring water, natural flavored infused.
Triple distilled, charcoal filtered. 60 prf

Aroma: Vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, toffee, creamy, angel food cake, yellow cake, frosting, chocolate cake, chocolate batter, popcorn.
Palate: Vanilla, vanilla pudding, butterscotch, caramel, creamy, chocolate, amaretto, angel food cake, birthday cake, cake batter, cookie.
Finish: Vanilla, cake, nutty, light, soft, smooth.


Gold Medal
 Gold medal



Arktika Vanilla Vodka



SILVER MEDAL WINNER

Glass Nectar
(Seattle, WA)
Distilled from grapes, infused with real honey. 80 prf

Aroma: Strong honey notes, honeycomb, faint subtle light caramel, cake filling, peach, soft orange, curry leaves.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, honey, nectar, dried apricot, exotic passion fruit, floral, mountain flowers, deep herbal, woodsy.
Finish: Honey, honeycomb, cinnamon, spicy, woody, clean.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Glass Nectar Vodka

 

 

Disclaimer: This section of the website is intended for visitors 21 years of age and older.
If you are not of legal drinking age, please exit by clicking here.


Please drink responsibly!