There’s a saying in the trade: “Vodka pays the bills.” It may not be the trendiest spirit, but people love vodka. And despite its rather neutral character, vodkas can vary widely among styles and brands. These are some of the highest-rated vodkas on the market today.

The following notes and ratings come from the most recent judging of the New York International Spirits Competition. Judges for the NYISC are trade professionals — retailers, bartenders, buyers, etc. — who blind taste products based on price tiers. These ratings and reviews recognize spirits that represent both quality and value.

DOUBLE GOLD

Belvedere 10 Year

Belvedere has never approached its vodka to be neutral in taste and body. On the nose, notes of vanilla cream along with an oak influence. The palate is silky, and the rye spiciness is layered and full bodied. The finish is long for vodka, with sweet vanilla and hints of cinnamon.

GOLD

Bond St. Vodka

Quadruple-distilled from Midwestern winter wheat and filtered through charcoal, giving it a crystal-clear vision in the glass. On the nose, fresh grain sweetness, a hint of citrus zest and delicate white pepper. In the mouth, the wheat base comes through immediately, followed by soft vanilla notes and a suggestion of minerality. The medium finish is clean with hints of black pepper. Great for a Martini.

Belvedere Organic Vodka

Showcasing why Polish rye vodka has earned its esteemed reputation being brilliantly clear with noticeable legs as it swirls the glass. The nose is characteristic rye spice with subtle white pepper and hints of vanilla. On the palate, an immediate creamy sweetness that transitions into gentle peppery warmth. The texture is notably smooth and full-bodied, coating the mouth with velvety richness. The finish is medium length and warming without burn. A versatile vodka for cocktails or simply neat.

Spy Trail Distillery Vodka

A New York craft vodka expression distilled from local sourced grains. The nose offers hints of fresh bread, subtle sweetness and clean mineral notes. The palate smoothness has gentle sweetness, with a touch of creaminess along with hints of vanilla. The finish is clean and moderate and balanced. A versatile vodka based upon your needs.

Neft Vodka

A vodka from Austria made with pristine Alpine spring water and non-GMO rye. It pours crystal-clear and has a nose that is clean and inviting with a soft medley of rye grain, subtle sweetness and hints of flower. The palate smoothness has a understated complexity with rye and creamy vanilla notes that is layered on the tongue. The finish has a medium clean finish with hints of pepper.

Aero Squadron Vodka

Distilled from corn and charcoal filtered to a pristine and clear liquid. The nose is delicate and has soft corn sweetness along with hints of vanilla cream. When tasting, the sweetness comes through immediately as it lies softly in the mouth. The finish is brief and clean and ideal for vodka-forward cocktails.

Ora Vodka

Distilled from Italian wheat and from water filtered through Carrara marble, providing a crystal clear liquid. The nose is clean with light wheat, vanilla and citrus notes. On the palate, sweetness and its wheat base emerge immediately, along with hints of nuts and pepper. The finish is clean, along with lingering grain sweetness to make it a versatile vodka to use in cocktails and shots.

D’Yavol Vodka

An Eastern European named vodka distilled from grains that translates to “devil” The vodka is clear and coats the glass. When nosed, grain, pepper spice and rye rise up. In the mouth, grain and pepper layers the tongue. The finish is long, as it’s full bodied in the mouth, with a soft layer of spice on top. A classic Eastern European vodka that should be served chilled for shots and vodka-focused cocktails.

Vodka 57 Pure Glacier Vodka

Distilled in Iceland using local water and grains giving it a crystal-clear liquid. The nose has soft grain sweetness and a whisper of vanilla. The sweetness in the first sip smoothly turns into a creamy texture with balanced grain flavors as it lies softly in the mouth. The finish is clean with a soft sweetness that would do well in a Vodka Tonic.

Holistic Spirits Company Vodka

Distilled from certified organic corn and filtered through coconut-shell carbon to give its clear color. The nose has a soft corn sweetness, vanilla notes and minerality. When in the mouth, the organic corn base is present with light caramel notes and not syrupy or heavy bodied. The finish is clean with soft sweetness and no burn. A versatile vodka that is a great representative of an organic produced spirit.

Oxford Oaks Distillery Vodka

A Connecticut distillery bringing its farm-to-table mentality to vodka, using locally sourced grains and distilled in traditional copper pot stills. Clear in the glass, and when brought to the nose, a fresh bread and gentle sweetness rises from the glass. When in the mouth it is full but not challenging, with vanilla sweetness layered along soft spice on the tongue. The finish is clean with a moderate presence. We would use it for highballs and similar style cocktails.

TenHead Vodka

Not distilled using traditional vodka production, though it is still a clear liquid with a nose that offers soft grain and vanilla sweetness. It strives for smoothness with light sweetness and hints of pepper and spice. The finish is clean and lightly sweet on the tail end. It would be good for cocktails such as Vodka Sodas where the vodka is the not the headliner.

Liberty & Plenty Distillery Slate Belt Spirits Vodka

A Pennsylvania craft distiller presenting a crystal-clear vodka. The nose is grain-forward with fresh wheat aromatics and clean mineral notes from its local water source. Grain sweetness lies in the mouth with creamy vanilla. Full bodied in the mouth and after time spice and nuts reveal themselves. The finish is clean with light sweetness trailing to the end. Good for sipping neat or a good craft cocktail bar program.

Smirnoff Vodka

This is one of the best bang for the buck vodka in the competition that is also a best-selling vodka. Triple distilled and 10 times filtered to make it a clear liquid. The nose is subtle and clean, with whiffs of grain and citrus and not overpowering. Soft sweetness in the mouth and a creamy texture designed to be easy drinking for everyone. The finish is clean and short and meant to be your versatile vodka for all cocktails.

Luksusowa Vodka

A Polish vodka made with local grown potatoes to create a crystal-clear vodka. The nose creamy with soft vanilla and hints of black pepper. A classic potato vodka mouthfeel that is full bodied creamy with vanilla smoothness and hints of pepper. It has a medium clean finish that is creamy to the end. It excels in Martinis with its potato base.

Affect Vodka

The liquid is crystal clear in the glass, and the nose has a soft medley of grain and vanilla notes. When in the mouth, the grain acts as a base of creamy liquid with vanilla notes and light pepper on top. The finish is clean and brief. It would be best to be used in classic cocktails.

ROXX Vodka

The vodka pours crystal clear and when nosed a delicate medley of soft vanilla and minerality rises from the glass. When in the mouth, soft vanilla coats the tongue with a creamy texture, giving it a silky feel with hints of pepper as a top layer. It has a medium-clean finish with light sweetness till the end. It would do well in a well-presented Vodka Martini.

Nothing Bothers Me Vodka

The vodka presents itself as a clear liquid with a nose that has soft grain sweetness, vanilla notes and touches of minerality. In the mouth, it has a light, smooth, creamy sweetness with vanilla and a hint of spice. The finish is short and clean, with a touch of sweetness that lingers on the finish. It will flourish in non-complex cocktails.

The Reid Vodka

The liquid is crystal clear and the nose is a medley of wheat, vanilla and minerality. The grain sweetness with vanilla notes lies full bodied in the mouth. Nuts and pepper are softly layered on top of the tongue. The finish is clean with a medium level of sweetness at the end. It is meant to be sipped neat or classic cocktails

High Rock Vodka

The vodka is crystal clear with good legs. The nose has a grain base surrounded by vanilla notes with hints of minerality. When in the mouth it lies comfortably on the tongue with a medium full-bodied creamy texture interwoven with almond, spice and hints of toasted grains. The finish is clean with a light, sweet, medium-length experience. A good base for most vodka cocktails.

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