Imported Vodka 2016
 

Best Premium Imported Vodka - 2016

The Fifty Best Imported Vodka Tasting - 2016

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 25 imported vodkas with 14 pre-qualified judges. The vodkas were judged and scored separately. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the vodkas were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unflavored crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through three flights of 7 vodkas and one flight of 4 vodkas.

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 are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges for this highly competitive evaluation. There were no bronze medals awarded for this tasting. The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The countries of origin are given, with a few tidbits added for each brand. All of these vodkas are 80 proof, unless otherwise indicated.

 



DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

elit by Stoli
(Latvia)
Grain based. 3x distilled. Patented 'freeze-filtration' process.

Nose: Sweet vanilla, caramel, blood orange, fruity, toasty, wheat grain, wet stone, fresh laundry, clean, crisp, very subtle.
Palate: Toasted vanilla, vanilla egg cream, cocoa, buttery, creamy, fruity, blackberry notes, dried berries, hint of citrus, light spice, light mint, light grains, so clean, smooth, the world’s finest vodka, exceptional.
Finish: Honey, buttery, milky, flan, light citrus, peppery, tobacco, minerally, wet stone, smooth, nice, easy, super light, well crafted, great mouthfeel.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



   elit by Stoli Vodka



AVIV 613
(Israel)
Figs, dates, pomegranates, olives, grapes, wheat and barley. Water sourced from the Sea of Galilee. Grains distilled 3 times, fruits distilled 3 times – blended and distilled 1 more time. 6 filtrations.

Nose: Marshmallow, chocolate, fruity banana, mint, mineral, crisp, intense, clean, very delicate.
Palate: Vanilla, Nilla wafers, citrus, lemon, fruity, light cream, creamy, pastry dough, almond oil, floral, licorice, anise, mint, white peppercorn, peppery.
Finish: Vanilla, creamy, grapes, citrus, mint, black pepper, nutmeg, sweet, smooth, light, clean.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



   AVIV 613 Vodka



Iceberg
(Newfoundland, Canada)
100% Ontario sweet corn, pure harvested iceberg water. Triple distilled.

Nose: Citrus, lemon peel, melon, bread dough, biscuit, floral, grassy, mint, spearmint, soft, approachable.
Palate: Vanilla, powdered sugar, cocoa, grainy, pastry dough, dusty, powdery talc, dull citrus, floral, alluringly spicy, peppery, potato, coffee, mineral, silky, fresh, delicious.
Finish: Almond, minty, grassy, peppery, wine-like, clean, soft, silky, smooth, elegant, pretty.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Iceberg Vodka



VDKA6100
(New Zealand)
Fresh seasonal whey sourced from the Bay of Plenty Region. Pure New Zealand water. Triple distilled, filtered through carbon "rockets". Gluten free.

Nose: Citrus, grain, dough, bread, light cocoa, rye, peppery, new wood, lively, slightly zesty, impressively neutral, very mild, delicate, pretty.
Palate: Toffee, creamy, sweet grains citrus, floral, potato skin, anise, mint, peppery, cigar box, hint of wet stone, mineral, clean, savory, balanced.
Finish: Nutty candy, creamy, buttery, pepper, anise, spicy, growing minerality, clean, balanced, rich, silky, smooth, very soft, mellow.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



VDKA6100



Blue Duck
(New Zealand)
Whey based, pure New Zealand water. 7x distilled.

Nose: Light vanilla, grain, mild grassy, very subtle.
Palate: Vanilla, confectioner’s sugar, cream, bread dough, pastry dough, wheat, sweet grains, citrus, floral, aggressively mossy, sweet mint, herbal, tarragon, spicy, jalapeno, peppery, wet stone, mineral.
Finish: Grapes, grassy, anise, mint, peppery, light pepper, clean, brash, very smooth, well-balanced, mellow.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Blue Duck Rare Vodka



Sobieski Estate Single Rye Vodka
(Poland)
100% locally grown golden Dankowski rye, pure Carpathian Fore Oligocene spring water. Continuous distillation.

Nose: Citrus, grassy, anise, mint, clotted cream, light cream, wood, mineral, lively, subtle, complex, very mild.
Palate: Vanilla, creamy, milky, powdered sugar, cocoa, citrus, melon, floral, sweet fennel, minty, spicy, peppery, mineral, approachable.
Finish: Butterscotch, cream, citrus, anise, grainy, mineral, smooth powder, rich, crisp, light, smooth, easy, mellow.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Sobieski Estate Single Rye Vodka



Purity
(Sweden)
Winter wheat & barley, distilled 34x. Certified organic.

Nose: Vanilla, berry, grape, citrus, lemon peel, potato, nutty, mint, anise, cocoa beans, doughy, cereal, creamy.
Palate: Vanilla, melon, grape, floral, herbal, grassy, cashew, peppery, anise, licorice, wintergreen, mint, grainy, creamy, cocoa, dusty, crisp, complex, smooth.
Finish: Vanilla, sweet melon, herbal, spicy, pepper, mineral, clean, very smooth.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Purity Vodka



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Khortytsa De Luxe
(Ukraine)
100% grain. Ancient artesian well water. Filtered through birch and alder-tree charcoal and quartz sand.

Nose: Vanilla, citrus, lemon, basil, anise, minty, menthol, eucalyptus, mild grassy, wheat grain, minerals, approachable.
Palate: Strawberry, orange peel, ginger, candy, creamy, fresh grain, coffee, floral, herbs, basil, anise, licorice, cinnamon, spearmint, peppermint, white pepper, crisp, smooth.
Finish: Vanilla, creamy, lemon peel, plum, cinnamon, rye, crisp, delicate, shockingly smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Khortytsa De Luxe Vodka



3 Kilos
(Holland)
Highest quality hand-selected European golden wheat. 5x distilled.

Nose: Lightly floral, vanilla bean, mineral, approachable.
Palate: Vanilla, grapefruit, melon, almond, cashews, cocoa, silky grains, mineral, floral, herbal, mint, anise, spicy, peppery, full-flavored, smooth, well-balanced.
Finish: Vanilla, corn, nice bite of grain, floral, spicy, smooth, easy, clean, balanced, fabulous.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



3 Kilos Vodka



Sobieski
(Poland)
100% locally grown golden Dankowski rye, pure Oligocene spring water. Continuous distillation.

Nose: Vanilla, creamy, pastry dough, grain, citrus, grass, pepper, white pepper, wet stone, clean, delicate.
Palate: Vanilla, powdered sugar, grain, wet dough, citrus, tangy, white peppercorn, peppery, wet stone, mineral, smooth creamy mouthfeel, well-balanced.
Finish: Creamy, cocoa, lemon, grassy, peppery, rye, clean, tangy, zesty, smooth, silky, balanced.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Sobieski Vodka



Medea
(The Netherlands)
European wheat, pure artesian water. Coal-filtered.

Nose: Floral, honey, light grain, lime, delicate.
Palate: Vanilla, caramel, powdered sugar, pastry dough, cocoa, creamy, whipped cream, passion fruit, tangy citrus, floral, herbal, anise, mint, grain, rye, nutty, pepper, spicy, crisp, zesty.
Finish: Creamy, cocoa, anise, mint, spicy, soft, smooth, silky, crisp, lively, tangy.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Medea Vodka



50 Bleu
(Poland)
Dankowskie golden winter rye, natural spring water.

Nose: Vanilla, new fresh grain, Wonder Bread, pastry dough, cookie dough, baked goods, citrus, lemon, grassy, dusty, approachable, clean, lively, slightly vibrant.
Palate: Powdered sugar, creamy, cookie dough, citrus, lemon peel, watermelon, floral, grassy, herbal, spicy, mint, nutty, cracked pepper, grain, potato skin, wet stone, slate, soft mouthfeel, tangy, very interesting, mellow.
Finish: Creamy, cream and sugar, peppery, peppercorn, anise, balanced, tangy, clean, crisp, smooth, pleasant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



50 Bleu Vodka



Monopolowa
(Austria)
Potatoes, triple distilled.

Nose: Cotton candy, citrus, melon, floral, eucalyptus, grassy, spicy, anise, mint, dough, earthy, wet stone, intense.
Palate: Citrus, melon, grape, cocoa, creamy pastry dough, coffee, floral, herbal, mossy, black pepper, aggressive pepper, tangy, smooth, silky.
Finish: Vanilla, creamy, chocolate, floral, grassy, white peppercorn, spicy, mineral, crisp, delicate, exceptionally smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Monopolowa Vodka



Ultimat
(Poland)
Blend of wheat, rye and potato. Artesian well water. Ceramic and candle filtration.

Nose: Vanilla, creamy, cocoa, bread, rye, anise, mineral, slightly assertive, approachable.
Palate: Vanilla, light cream, buttery, sweet condensed milk, honeydew, citrus, floral, almond, cashews, toast, licorice, moss, grassy, herbal, rye, spicy, peppery, soft, zesty, lively.
Finish: Butterscotch, cream, creamy milky, caramel, white pepper, peppercorn, peppery, mint, earthy, this can come home with me, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Ultimat Vodka



Blue Diamond
(Latvia)
Premium European grains, artesian water. 5x distilled.

Nose: Vanilla, lemon peel, mineral, light wood, crisp, zesty.
Palate: Vanilla, melon, citrus, almond, cashew, doughy, rye, potato, herbal, anise, minty, zesty, spicy, peppery, mineral, wet stone, smooth, well-balanced.
Finish: Citrus, floral, anise, minty, tangy, spicy, buttery, creamy mouthfeel, mineral, balanced, clean, rich, smooth, silky, mellow.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Blue Diamond Vodka



Belvedere Unfiltered
(Poland)
100% "Single Estate" Dankowskie Diamond Rye, artesian well water, 4 distillations, left unfiltered.

Nose: Citrus, orange, floral, basil, grainy, mineral, wet stone, assertive.
Palate: Vanilla, sweet whipped cream, almond, potato skins, herbal, moss, peppery.
Finish: Creamy, cocoa, floral, grassy, peppery, light pepper, stone, fresh, clean, crisp, lively, easy, smooth, balanced, elegant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Belvedere Unfiltered Vodka





White Diamond
(Latvia)
Premium grains. Artesian water from European acquifers. 5x distilled.

Nose: Melon, cherry, raspberry, nutty, rye bread, grain, cocoa, mineral, spicy, assertive, delicate.
Palate: Toffee, honey, confectioner’s sugar, cream, cherry, citrus, rye, potato, herbal, sweet, vibrant, zestful, smooth, mellow, balanced.
Finish: Cane sugar, vanilla, grass, lively, rich, silky, smooth, soft, mellow, delicate, gentle.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



White Diamond Vodka





VALT
(Scotland)
Scottish malted barley and Scottish mountain water. Quintuple micro-distillation.

Nose: Butterscotch, vanilla, Juicy Fruit gum, bubble gum, alluring sugar, citrus, cantaloupe, honeydew, figs, dates, agave, almond, nuts.
Palate: Butterscotch, vanilla, bubble gum, strawberry, melon, cocoa, coconut water, dark dates, almond, anise, grain, potato. mossy, grass, mineral.
Finish: Vanilla, bananas, grapes, melon, citrus, cocoa, nutty, creamy, smooth, velvety, rich, come home with me, memorable.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



VALT Vodka





Belvedere Intense
(Poland)
"Single Estate" Dankowskie Diamond Rye, artesian well water, double filtered through charcoal, 4 distillations. 100 proof.

Nose: Citrus, soft berries, floral, herbs, grassy, lemongrass, mint, cream, nutty, potato, light sweet grains, mineral, crisp.
Palate: Citrus, strong herbal, menthol, mossy, grain, bread dough, dusty, spices, peppery, bold flavors.
Finish: Alluring grass, red pepper, mint, light spice, lively, clean, silky, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Belvedere Intense Vodka





Belvedere
(Poland)
Gold rye, artesian well water, 4 distillations.

Nose: Sweet citrus, lime, gravel, mineral, approachable.
Palate: Soft vanilla, powdered sugar, citrus, grass, mint, nutty, almond oil, herbal, spicy, tea, rye, grain, mossy, mineral, wet stone, cigar box, creamy, dusty, complex.
Finish: Vanilla, creamy, spice, pepper, pleasingly sweet, balanced mineral, clean, crisp, very light, soft, smooth, rich.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Belvedere Vodka





Chase
(Great Britain)
Potatoes from Chase family farm in the UK.

Nose: Praline, caramel, vanilla, bubblegum, melon, honeydew, banana, orange zest, lemon, almond, coffee, soft.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, molasses, powdered sugar, vanilla, dessert, banana, agave, sweet potato, potato, grainy, silky floral, nutty, mocha, black pepper, mint, wet stone.
Finish: Lovely soft fruit, lemon peel, creamy, spicy, clean, easy, silky, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Chase Vodka



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Provincial
(Saskatchewan, Canada)
7x distilled. Charcoal filtered water from interglacial aquifer.

Nose: Vanilla, black cherry, lemon zest, mint, grain, classic, very subtle.
Palate: Vanilla, cocoa, cream, melon, citrus, lemon, lime, orange, bread, grain, nuts, delicate spice, peppery, menthol, mineral, assertive wet stone, complex, smooth, clean, silky, refreshing.
Finish: Citrus, coffee, mineral, black pepper, peppery, crisp, approachable, balanced, soft, silky, smooth.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Provincial Vodka





Precis
(Sweden)
European wheat. Swedish Lake Boren water, so clean it requires no filtration.

Nose: Lemon, grass, spearmint, ozone, the smell before it rains, earthy,smoky, approachable.
Palate: Toffee, powdered sugar, citrus, green tropical fruit, grass, moss, herbal, tarragon, spices, peppery, stone, minerals.
Finish: Citrus, orange, grass, green olives, spice, white pepper, mineral, smooth, soft, crisp yet light, delicate.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Precis Vodka





Platinka
(Belarus)
100% locally grown rye, water from Belovezhskaya Pusha National Park. Platinum filtered.

Nose: Pastry dough, bread dough, grassy, wintergreen, earthy, leather, wet rock.
Palate: Vanilla, creamy, sweet grains, bread dough, citrus, smooth melon, almond, mint, black olives, spice, peppery, crisp, lively, smooth, silky, well balanced.
Finish: Raspberry, creamy, buttery, soft pepper, mineral, subtle, soft, smooth, clean, silky.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Platinka Vodka





Ruskova
(Russia)
Winter wheat and soft rye. Underground spring water. 6x distilled.

Nose: Creamy, herbal, grassy, licorice, rye, mossy, minerality, dusty, very subtle, complex.
Palate: Vanilla, confectioner’s sugar, cream, mocha, fruity, citrus, absinthe, herbal, grassy, spicy, peppery, black pepper, anise, mint, rye, wheat, smooth, assertive.
Finish: Vanilla, creamy, grassy, peppery, hint of sweetness, rich, tangy, clean, smooth, mellow.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Ruskova Vodka

 

 

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