Flavored Vodka 2017
 

 

Best Flavored Vodka - 2017

The Fifty Best Flavored Vodka Tasting 2017

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting with 14 members of the spirits judging panel and 34 flavored vodkas in three separate categories: Fruits, Herbs & Spice, and 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

New Amsterdam Raspberry
(California)

Aroma: Ripe raspberry, fresh crushed raspberry, framboise, strawberry, deep fruit of berries, grape, lime rickey, luscious.
Palate: Strong concentrated raspberry, raspberry hard candy, raspberry mousse, lime, grape, tropical fruit, well balanced, perfect balance, delectable sipping vodka, a serious sipper.
Finish: Raspberry, salty fruit, summer nights, well-balanced, clean, smooth, unbelievable, nice aperitif.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



   New Amsterdam Raspberry Vodka



Wild Roots Northwest Pear Infused
(Oregon)

Aroma: Anjou pear, Bartlett pear, strong Bosc pear, fresh poached pears, apple, deep berries, sugarcane, floral, crisp.
Palate: Pear, ripe Bosc pear, pear candy, smooth, well-made, luscious.
Finish: Pear, pear puree, woody, well-balanced, lingers, nice, easy, clean, smooth, perfect.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Wild Roots Northwest Pear Infused Vodka



Seacrets Distilling Orange
(Maryland)

Aroma: Ripe oranges, orange soda, bright Sunkist soda, Creamsicle, orange starburst, light orange peel, mandarin zest, lemon, strong citrus.
Palate: Tangerine, sweet clementine, Valencia orange, orange peel, bitter orange like Cointreau, candied orange, flavorful, full-flavored, no need to mix with soda or juices, pleasant, delicious.
Finish: Orange, hint of grapefruit, honey, white flowers, Cointreau in a vodka format, flavorful, balanced, lingers nicely, soft, gentle, delicate, amazing.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Seacrets Distilling Orange Vodka



Seacrets Distilling Lemon Drop
(Maryland)

Aroma: Clean lemon, lemon zest, lemon ice, lemon oil.
Palate: Sweet lemon, homemade lemonade, lemon drop, lemon custard, tart citrus, lime, ginger, creamy mouthfeel, clean, perfect.
Finish: Lemon, lively citrus, citrus peel, tart lemon custard, balanced, clean, nice, pleasant.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Seacrets Distilling Lemon Drop Vodka



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

New Amsterdam Lemon
(California)

Aroma: Ripe lemon, lime, citrus, lemon juice, candied lemon, Limoncello, smells like Italy, crisp, tart, pleasant, easily discernable.
Palate: Lemon, lime, lemon zest, candied lemon peel, sweet limoncello, ReaLemon juice, lemonade strong lemon oil, bright citrus, not candy-like, balanced, clean, crisp, tart, tangy, bold.
Finish: Lemon, citrus, Sprite, clean, smooth, chewy, nicely balanced, approachable, subtle.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



New Amsterdam Lemon Vodka



New Amsterdam Apple
(California)

Aroma: Granny Smith apple, Pink Lady apple, light green apple, fresh apple skin, apple taffy, pear, mulled cider, celery, vegetal.
Palate: Sweet Macintosh apple, apple sauce, stewed apple, spiced apple, apple candy, apple pie, apple crisp, browned apple, lemon, deep cane sugar, candied ginger, nicely balanced between tart and sweet, smooth.
Finish: Sweet apple, buttery, sweet and sour, clean, crisp, smooth, nice, really delicious.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



New Amsterdam Apple Vodka



Oma’s Vodka Infused with Natural Cherries
(Michigan/Illinois)

Aroma: Black cherry, maraschino, light sour cherry.
Palate: Cherry, dark cherry, black cherry, cherry candy, ripe cherry pie, custard-like, nice tartness, balanced, smooth, easy to drink, pleasant, luscious.
Finish: Black cherry, beautiful spice, cherry continues in most pleasant way, very well-balanced, clean, crisp, smooth, easy to drink, pleasant.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Oma’s Vodka Infused with Natural Cherries



Western Son Big Stripe Watermelon
(Texas)

Aroma: Melon, watermelon Jolly Rancher, watermelon candy, watermelon Kool-Aid, lemon, citrus, enticing, incredible.
Palate: Watermelon, watermelon Jolly Rancher, candied watermelon, Friendly’s watermelon sherbet, lemon, lime, taffy, creamy mouthfeel, ripe, rich, smooth, delicious.
Finish: Watermelon, watermelon Jolly Rancher, watermelon candies, herbs, not too sweet, tangy, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Western Son Big Stripe Watermelon Vodka



Bozeman Spirits Distillery
Montana Cold Spring Lemon

(Montana)

Aroma: Lemon, Meyer lemon, lemon peel, lemon balm oil, big citrus, lemon lollypops, Bartlett pear, floral.
Palate: Meyer lemon, lime, lemon meringue pie, lemon oil, strong citrus, herbs, sweet yet tart, clean, fresh, smooth, pleasant.
Finish: Lemon zest, dried herbs, spicy, complex, good mouthfeel, great palate cleanser, pleasant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Bozeman Spirits Distillery Montana Cold Spring Lemon Vodka



Seacrets Distilling Ruby Red Grapefruit
(Maryland)

Aroma: Ruby red ripe grapefruit, pink grapefruit, dried pink grapefruit, bitter grapefruit rind, citrus, candied ruby red grapefruit, rose, bright, crisp.
Palate: Ruby red ripe grapefruit, pink grapefruit, citrus peel, great balance, clean acidity, full body, extremely smooth, awesome flavor, mouth-watering.
Finish: Authentic grapefruit, citrus rind, clean, smooth, great citrus fruit at the end, great finish, great for cocktails.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Seacrets Distilling Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka



General Beauregard Dixie Citrus
(South Carolina)

Aroma: Lemon, lime, grapefruit, strong citrus, light refreshing citrus, lemon peel, lemongrass, vanilla, pleasing.
Palate: Citrus blend, faint lemon, citrus peel, lemongrass, verbena, slight sugarcane, herbal, nice mouthfeel.
Finish: Lemon, sweet pepper, very crisp, clean, balanced, smooth, good, really refreshing, pleasant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



General Beauregard Dixie Citrus Vodka



Cold River Maine Blueberry
(Maine)

Aroma: Blueberry, bright blueberry, grape Pez, snow cone, vegetal, flinty, aromatic, lush.
Palate: Blueberry, dry blueberries, sweet candy, creamy vanilla, almost buttery, peppery, spicy, consistent flavor, even, balanced.
Finish: Blueberry, light citrus, vanilla, slight pepper, flavorful, pleasant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Cold River Maine Blueberry Vodka



Wild Roots Northwest Raspberry Infused
(Oregon)

Aroma: Raspberry, raspberry jam, faint berry, red wine, Merlot, communion wine, almost like dessert wine, very earthy.
Palate: Raspberry, framboise, cherry, grape, raspberry jam, lambic beer, slightly tart, rich, balanced, powerful, full flavored, full mouthfeel, full body, like a table wine or liqueur, easy to sip, perfect for cocktails.
Finish: Welch’s grape juice, jammy, port-like, nice, smooth, mature, great for cocktails.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Wild Roots Northwest Raspberry Infused Vodka



Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Blueberry
(Connecticut)

Aroma: Dark earthy berry, clean berry, strong berry, blueberry cobbler, blueberry muffin, chocolate, cocoa, candy, floral, rose, straw.
Palate: Blueberry, wild blueberry, pomegranate, herbal, earthy, tannic, almost no sweetness, complex, nicely balanced.
Finish: Berries, chocolate, clean, bright, smooth, pleasant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Litchfield Distillery  Batchers’ Blueberry Vodka



Bozeman Spirits Distillery Montana Huckleberry
(Montana)

Aroma: Pronounced berry, strawberry, blueberry, sweet berry, white apple, grape, huckleberry sorbet, hard candy, loamy soil.
Palate: Huckleberry, blueberry smoothie, dry grape, vanilla, slightly creamy, buttery, crisp, tart, dry but succulent.
Finish: Lingering berry, floral, licorice, nice and light, mellow, great finish.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Bozeman Spirits Distillery Montana Huckleberry Vodka



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Strawberry
(Connecticut)

Aroma: Strawberry, strawberry creamsicle, strawberry Good Humor bar, strawberry cream Lifesavers, cherry, maraschino, cotton candy, pleasant.
Palate: Ripe strawberry, strawberry jam, cotton candy, creamy, toast, subtle, smooth, clean, tart, complex, pleasant.
Finish: Fruit to the end, pepper, smooth, well-balanced, amazingly well-made, beautiful.


Silver Medal
 Silver medal



Litchfield Distillery  Batchers’ Strawberry Vodka



Eau Claire Distillery Prickly Pear EquineOx
(Alberta, Canada)

Aroma: Pear, peach, star fruit, light cantaloupe, Juicy Fruit bubblegum, cactus, floral, bread, tart, tangy, discernable but subtle.
Palate: Prickly pear, Asian pear, pineapple, berry, fresh fruit salad, rose hips, sweet to tart, custard-like, pronounced, very interesting.
Finish: Fruity, lavender, clean, creamy, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Eau Claire Distillery Prickly Pear EquineOx Vodka



True North Cherry
(Michigan)

Aroma: Sweet maraschino cherry, cherry Twizzlers, Swedish fish, cherry ice cream, cake frosting, strong marzipan/almond, hazelnut, almond. cherry pit.
Palate: Black cherry, candied cherry, chocolate, vegetal, herbs.
Finish: Cherry, cherry skin, vanilla, vanilla extract, almond extract, spicy, very approachable.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



True North Cherry Vodka



Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Apple
(Connecticut)

Aroma: Ripe apple, light red apple, crisp green apple, candy-coated caramel apple, clean.
Palate: Crisp red delicious apple, Granny Smith apple, slight golden apple, tart green apple, dried apple, mature.
Finish: Honey crisp apple. spicy, surprisingly smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Apple Vodka



Steinhart Distillery Haskap
(Nova Scotia, Canada)

Aroma: Light berry, dried berry, grape.
Palate: Berry, blueberry, cherry, honeysuckle, wine, tangy, almost savory.
Finish: Currant, dried cherry skins, floral, port-like, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Steinhart Distillery Haskap Vodka



Arbikie Strawberry
(Scotland)

Aroma: Berry, slight berry notes, strawberry Quick, sugarcane, rum, buttery, pleasant.
Palate: Subtle berry, faint strawberry, pure cane, bamboo, floral, herbal, peppery.
Finish: Fermented strawberry, spice, pepper, garden, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Arbikie Strawberry Vodka



Flavor Category: HERBS & SPICE

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Dr. Stoner's Fresh Herb
(Virginia)

Aroma: Hemp, cannabis, weed, mixed herbs, rosemary, thyme, sage, celery, soil, strong but pleasant.
Palate: Parsley, cilantro, sage, rosemary, herbaceous, celery, grassy, pepper, dry leaves, creamy herbal, cocoa, smooth, a Bloody Mary wonder, unique.
Finish: Herb garden, grassy, clean, smooth, nice, neat, delicious.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Dr. Stoner's Fresh Herb Vodka



Heritage Distilling Company
D's Seasoned Vodka for Bloody Marys

(Washington)

Palate: Herbes de Provence, herbs, oregano, dill, thyme, coriander, garlic, onion, pickles, dill pickle juice, roasted peppers, BBQ rub, meat rub.
Palate: Oregano, sundried tomato, celery, garlic, pickle, Montreal steak seasoning, BBQ, vinegar, briny, salty, spicy, strong flavors, good balance, perfect for Italian food and more, good mixer.
Finish: Garlic, mint, spice, pepper, pickle, salt, nice, flavorful, seasoning lingers, pleasant.

Double Gold Medal
 Double Gold medal



Heritage Distilling Company D's Seasoned Vodka for Bloody Marys Vodka



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Steinhart Distillery Habanero
(Nova Scotia, Canada)

Aroma: Scotch bonnet pepper, herbal, peppermint, almond, light spicy, musty wood, smoke, clean.
Palate: Habanero, chili, spicy, peppery, vanilla to fire, strong flavors, heat builds slowly, hot, smooth.
Finish: Spicy, hot, clean, smooth, yes for my Bloody Mary.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Steinhart Distillery Habanero Vodka



General Beauregard Dixie Black Pepper
(South Carolina)

Aroma: White pepper, sweet pepper, spicy, clean.
Palate: Black pepper, sweet basil, jalapeño, cucumber, spicy, salt, strong flavor, great for Bloody Marys.
Finish: Peppery, spicy, rich, easy, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



General Beauregard Dixie Black Pepper Vodka



SILVER MEDAL WINNER

Rolling River Habanero Pepper
(Oregon)

Aroma: Pepper, unripe pepper, straw, spicy, clean.
Palate: Jalapeño, habanero, tabasco, sweet hot pepper, mild peppers, peppery, spicy, pink peppercorn, cucumber, great for margaritas.
Finish: Spearmint, mint, herbal, pine notes, flavorful, clean, good for Bloody Mary, I want this for cocktails.
Finish: Caramel apples, spicy, mild spicy, floral, clean, smooth heat.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Rolling River Habanero Pepper Vodka



Flavor Category: MISCELLANEOUS

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Steinhart Distillery Maple
(Nova Scotia, Canada)

Palate: Butterscotch, caramel, maple, burnt sugar, light syrup, butter, cocoa, nutty, burnt Montecristo sandwich, luscious, comforting.
Palate: Vermont maple syrup right out of the bottle, sweet maple, butterscotch, rich caramel, molasses, buttery, creamy, vanilla, smoky, delicious.
Finish: Vermont maple syrup, dolce de leche, burnt caramel, buttery, pancakes, toasted, balanced, complex, nice, smooth, warm, extraordinary.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



   Steinhart Distillery Maple Vodka



Western Son South Plains Cucumber
(Texas)

Aroma: Cucumber, crisp coconut, grass, straw, clean, savory.
Palate: Cucumber, unique smoky cucumber, salad, herbal, super-light, balanced, clean, crisp, refreshing, add this to your Bloody Mary, great mixer, perfect for summer or any time, beautiful.
Finish: Cucumber all the way through, clean, delicate, soft, smooth, great, beautiful, perfect.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Western Son South Plains Cucumber Vodka



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Chase Orange Marmalade
(England)

Aroma: Orange, orange peel, Orangina, orange jelly, orange potpourri, orange essential oil, light citrus, pleasant, uplifting.
Palate: Orange, orange marmalade with bits of rind, orange peel, bold citrus, sweet lemon, sweet zest, honey, sugarcane, molasses, cookie dough, light spice, complex, smooth.
Finish: Grapefruit, ripe, balanced, soft, smooth, approachable, great, delicious.


Gold Medal
 Gold medal



Chase Orange Marmalade Vodka



HEEET Hot Cinnamon
(Florida)

Aroma: Red Hots, Big Red, cinnamon candy, strong cinnamon.
Palate: Red Hots cinnamon candy, Big Red, strong intense cinnamon, good spice, strong flavor, just a little tartness for balance, perfect on its own.
Finish: Cinnamon candy, cloves, anise, lime, clean, sweet, no burn.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



HEEET Hot Cinnamon Vodka



General Beauregard Dixie Mint
(South Carolina)

Aroma: Spearmint, peppermint punch in the face, Christmas winter mint gum, herbal, menthol.
Palate: Candy cane, York Peppermint Patty, very-present mint, fresh herbal, warm ginger, clean, fresh, great for cocktails.
Finish: After 8 mint, cocoa, flavorful, clean, fresh, smooth, very healing, powerful.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



General Beauregard Dixie Mint Vodka



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Chase English Oak Smoked
(England)

Aroma: Hickory, lightly smoky, peppery, herbaceous, salmon, lox, smoked halibut, very clean
Palate: Smoky, barbecue pit, BBQ, woody, fired vodka, lox, bagel, creamy, deviled eggs, smooth.
Finish: Smoky, smoked ribs, pepper, tobacco, woody, smooth.


Silver Medal
 Silver medal



Chase English Oak Smoked Vodka



Rolling River Coffee Spirit
(Oregon)

Aroma: Coffee, espresso, black coffee, American light roast, maple.
Palate: Black coffee, Starbucks, strong coffee, green coffee, rich instant coffee, light coffee, grains, smoky.
Finish: Raw coffee, espresso, spicy, flavorful, a lot of kick, smooth, great for martinis.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Rolling River Coffee Spirit



Cokana Coca Leaf
(Kentucky)

Aroma: Dandelion, herbal, faint cocoa, faint vanilla.
Palate: Herbal, light cacao, light dark chocolate, pepper, spice, starchy pasta, balanced, add to a martini.
Finish: Like a rye, clean, nice, smooth.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Cokana Coca Leaf  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!