Vodka is a distilled spirit usually made from grains such as wheat, rye, or barley, but it can also be made from other ingredients like potatoes and grapes.
Vodka is used in various cocktails, although top–shelf vodka brands are designed to be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, meaning they’re meant to be sipped slowly and savored, much like a fine whiskey or cognac.
These top-shelf vodkas have a smoother and more refined taste, with subtle flavors and aromas that can be appreciated independently. Below, I’ll explore top-shelf vodka brands worth trying, so let’s jump right in.
20 Top-Shelf Vodka Brands Worth Your Money
Whether you’re a seasoned vodka lover or just a curious newcomer who wants to try a good-tasting vodka, here’s a list of some top-shelf vodka brands you must try.
1. Grey Goose
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Grey Goose is a premium vodka brand produced in 1997 in France.
It’s made using French winter wheat and pure spring water from the Picardy region. The wheat is fermented and five times distilled in a copper pot still.
Grey Goose is a top premium vodka brand known for its smooth and crisp taste.
It’s available in various flavors, including Original, Cherry Noir, Le Citron, and La Poire. Grey Goose has 40% ABV and is usually served neat or on the rocks but is also used in various cocktails.
2. Chopin Vodka
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Chopin Vodka is a premium vodka brand first produced in 1992 in Poland.
It’s made with locally grown potatoes, wheat, or rye and distilled four times in small batches. Chopin Vodka is available in a few different varieties, including rye, potato, and wheat, each with its distinct flavor.
In 1993 Chopin made the world’s first super premium vodka –Chopin Family Reserve. This great-tasting vodka is made from a rare potato variety and rested for two years in 50 years old oak barrels.
It has a smooth, creamy texture and sweet flavor with hints of licorice and clove. Chopin Family Reserve is great for serving neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
3. Stolichnaya Elit Vodka
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Stolichnaya Elit Vodka, also known as Stoli Elit, is a premium Russian vodka brand.
It’s made from winter wheat and artesian water, distilled three times, and filtered through quartz sand, birch charcoal, and cloth filters before frozen at -18 ° C. This process removes the impurities and gives a smooth texture to the vodka.
Stolichnaya Elit Vodka is served neat or on the rocks to enjoy its smooth texture and slightly sweet, clean, crisp flavor. It’s also a good choice for high-end cocktails without overpowering the flavors of the other ingredients.
Due to its high quality and unique production process, Stoli Elit’s considered a luxury vodka and is often enjoyed on special occasions or given as a gift.
4. Belvedere Vodka
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Belvedere Vodka is a premium brand made in Poland from Polish rye and purified water.
This vodka is distilled four times and filtered through custom –made charcoal filter to remove the impurities and refine its taste. Belvedere Vodka has a delicate flavor profile with notes of vanilla, cream, and a hint of white pepper.
It’s typically served neat or on the rocks, as its smooth texture and subtle taste can be enjoyed independently. But it’s also a good choice for making cocktails because it blends well with other ingredients.
5. Ketel One
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Ketel One is a premium vodka brand produced in the Netherlands from wheat and purified water. It’s distilled three times in small batches to produce a smooth and crisp vodka with a clean taste and a hint of citrus.
Ketel One uses the highest quality ingredients, traditional recipes, and production processes. It has a clean, crisp, slightly sweet taste with a hint of citrus.
The vodka is characterized by its silky texture and smooth finish, resulting from its multiple distillation process. Ketel One Vodka has 40% ABV and is typically served neat or on the rocks. It’s also popular in cocktails, including the classic Ketel One Martini.
6. Hangar 1
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Hangar 1 is a premium vodka brand produced in California, USA.
It’s made from a blend of American wheat and Viognier grapes, harvested in small batches and distilled in column and pot still. The vodka is filtered to remove impurities and impart a smooth, crisp finish.
Hangar 1 is known for its unique flavor profile, which combines the crispness of a traditional wheat vodka with the floral and fruity notes of Viognier grapes.
It’s usually served neat or on the rocks but is also popular for creating high-end cocktails.
7. Ciroc Vodka
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Ciroc Vodka is a premium brand made from French grapes, specifically Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc.
The grapes are harvested when perfectly ripe and then distilled five times. The resulting vodka is blended with the Gaillac region’s spring water to create a smooth and crisp flavor. Ciroc offers a range of flavors, including Original, Peach, Apple, Coconut, Mango, and Red Berry.
It has a unique fruity flavor with hints of citrus and other tropical fruits. Ciroc is usually served neat or on the rocks but can also be used in various cocktails. It’s a good choice for vodka lovers looking for a premium product with a distinctive taste and style.
8. Absolut Elyx Vodka
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Absolut Elyx Vodka is a super-premium brand made from winter wheat grown in just one estate in southern Sweden.
It’s distilled using a vintage copper still and blended with local water sourced from a well in Åhus, Sweden. Absolut Elyx Vodka has a rich and silky texture and smooth, slightly nutty flavor with hints of vanilla and mellow spice.
It’s typically served neat or on the rocks to enjoy its unique taste, but it’s also perfect for a cocktail ingredient. Absolut Elyx Vodka is known for its smooth and sophisticated taste, making it a popular choice among vodka lovers who appreciate the finer things in life.
9. Crystal Head Vodka
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Crystal Head Vodka is a super-premium vodka brand founded in 2008 by Dan Aykroyd, a well-known actor, comedian, and artist John Alexander.
The vodka is produced in Newfoundland, Canada, using carefully selected, high-quality peaches and cream corn. One of the distinctive features of Crystal Head Vodka is its unique packaging.
The vodka is presented in a crystal skull bottle inspired by the legend of the 13 crystal skulls, which are believed to have mystical powers and hold the key to the future of humanity.
The bottle is made from high-quality glass and is designed to be a work of art in its own right.
Crystal Head Vodka is known for its smooth and clean taste, with a slight sweetness and subtle hints of vanilla and citrus. The vodka is quadruple-distilled and seven times filtered, which helps to remove impurities and create a pure and refined taste.
It’s typically served neat or on the rocks, as its smooth and crisp flavor can be enjoyed independently or as a base for various cocktails.
10. Barr Hill
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Barr Hill Vodka is a vodka brand produced by Caledonia Spirits, a craft distillery based in Vermont, USA.
What sets Barr Hill Vodka apart from other vodkas is that it’s distilled from raw honey and has a unique flavor profile. The raw honey used in Barr Hill Vodka comes from the company’s bees near the distillery.
Barr Hill Vodka has a smooth and slightly sweet taste, with subtle notes of honey and vanilla. It’s a gluten-free spirit and a popular choice for people with gluten sensitivities.
Barr Hill Vodka is served neat or on the rocks with soda or tonic water. But it’s also a good base for various cocktails.
11. Beluga Vodka
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Beluga vodka is a premium Russian vodka known for its high quality and unique flavor. It’s produced by the Mariinsk Distillery, located in the heart of Siberia, and has been in operation since 1900.
Beluga vodka is made using a traditional recipe that involves five times distillation and a resting period of 30 days to allow the flavors to develop fully. It’s crafted using high-quality wheat and pure artesian water from the Siberian wilderness. In addition, Beluga vodka is filtered multiple times to create a smooth and refined taste.
The brand offers several varieties of vodka, including the classic Beluga Noble Vodka, the flagship product known for its clean, smooth taste and complex flavor profile.
They also offer flavored vodkas such as Beluga Gold Line Vodka, known for its rich and sweet taste. Beluga Vodka is usually served neat, on the rocks, or as a base for cocktails.
12. SKYY Vodka
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SKYY Vodka is a popular brand of vodka produced in the United States. It’s known for its smooth, clean taste and distinctive blue bottle.
SKYY Vodka is made from American grains and enriched with mineral water and is quadruple distilled and triple-filtered for a smooth and pure taste. It’s a neutral spirit, which means it has very little flavor and is a versatile base for a wide range of cocktails.
Some popular cocktails that use SKYY Vodka as a base include the Cosmopolitan, Lemon Drop, and the classic Vodka Martini. SKYY Vodka is also commonly used in fruity or sweet cocktails, as its neutral flavor allows other ingredients to shine.
When serving SKYY Vodka, it’s best to chill it before use, as this can enhance its smooth and clean taste. Depending on personal preference, it can be served neat, on the rocks, or as a base for cocktails.
13. Smirnoff Vodka
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Smirnoff Vodka is one of the most well-known vodka brands in the world. It’s originated in Russia but produced in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Smirnoff Vodka is made from corn, and it’s triple distilled and filtered ten times, resulting in a smooth and pure taste. It’s a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in various ways, from a simple vodka tonic to complex cocktails.
Some popular cocktails that use Smirnoff Vodka as a base include the Moscow Mule, Vodka Martini, and Bloody Mary. Smirnoff Vodka is also commonly used in fruity or sweet cocktails, as its neutral flavor allows other ingredients to shine.
Smirnoff Vodka is best served chilled before use, as this can enhance its smooth and clean taste. It can be served neat, on the rocks, or as a cocktail base.
14. Triple Eight Blueberry Vodka
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Triple Eight Blueberry Vodka is a flavored vodka produced by the Triple Eight Distillery on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts, USA.
The vodka is made using a base of organic corn and pure water from the Nantucket well #888 and is triple distilled.
The blueberry flavor is achieved by infusing fresh, wild blueberries from Maine. The resulting vodka has a fruity and slightly sweet taste that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for various cocktails.
Triple Eight Distillery also produces several other vodka flavors, including cranberry, vanilla, and raspberry.
15. Nikka Coffey Vodka
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Nikka Coffey Vodka is a premium vodka produced by the Japanese distillery Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd. The vodka is named after Aeneas Coffey, the inventor of the column still which is used in the production of this vodka.
Nikka Coffey Vodka is made from a blend of corn and malted barley and is distilled in a Coffey still, producing a smooth, clean, crisp taste with subtle sweetness and citrus, vanilla, and white pepper notes.
Nikka Coffey Vodka is a premium vodka with a unique flavor profile, and creamy texture, making it a good choice for sipping neat or using as a base for cocktails.
Nikka Whisky is a highly respected distillery that produces high-quality spirits, including award-winning whiskies.
While Nikka Coffey Vodka is relatively new to the market, it has already received several awards and accolades, including a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Overall, Nikka Coffey Vodka is a premium vodka that is well-regarded among vodka enthusiasts and is a good choice for those looking for a high-quality vodka with a unique flavor profile.
16. Tito’s Handmade Vodka
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Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a premium brand produced by Fifth Generation, Inc., based in Austin, Texas.
The vodka is made from corn and is distilled in small batches using a traditional copper pot that removes impurities and helps create a crisp and clean finish. Tito’s Handmade Vodka has gained a reputation for its smooth and clean taste, with a slightly sweet and creamy flavor profile.
This vodka is ranked as one of the world’s best-selling and fastest-growing brands. It’s a premium vodka with a high-quality, smooth, clean taste.
Many people who like vodka have become big fans of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which can be served neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
17. JCB Vodka
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JCB Vodka is a premium vodka brand produced in Burgundy, France. Unlike most vodkas made from grains, JCB Vodka is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes cultivated in Burgundy.
JCB Vodka is known for its distinctive character and flavor profile, with subtle fruit notes and a clean, elegant finish. It has won several awards for its quality and is highly regarded among vodka enthusiasts.
JCB Vodka has created two infused vodka varieties using some of the most luxurious ingredients in the world: French caviar and black truffles. These infusions make for exceptional and discerning connoisseurs who appreciate the finest and most exclusive flavors.
In addition to its exquisite taste, JCB Vodka is presented in a beautiful bottle with a sleek and elegant design. The clear glass bottle is adorned with gold accents and a bold JCB logo, making it a stunning addition to any liquor collection or bar display.
To fully appreciate the delicate flavors of JCB Vodka, it’s best served neat or on the rocks. It can also be used as a base for cocktails, such as a Bloody Mary or a Vodka Martini, to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your drinks.
When using it in cocktails, keep the other ingredients simple and complementary to the vodka’s delicate flavors.
18. Carbonadi Vodka
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Carbonadi Vodka is a premium brand produced in Italy using a unique distillation process. The vodka is made from organic Italian wheat and pure Alpine spring water.
It’s distilled using a patented carbon-filtration system that removes impurities and produces a smooth and clean taste. Carbonadi Vodka has a delicate and nuanced flavor profile with vanilla, white pepper, and almond notes. Serve your Carbonadi neat or over ice for the best results.
In addition to its exceptional taste, Carbonadi Vodka is presented in a black bottle with a sleek, modern design with a matte black finish and minimal branding, making it a stylish addition to any bar or liquor collection.
19. CLIX Vodka
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Westward’s Master Distiller Harlen Davis Wheatley is the creator of CLIX Vodka. The brand name, CLIX, refers to the 159 distillations required to produce this ultra-fine vodka.
CLIX Vodka uses high-quality ingredients, including red winter wheat, yellow dent corn, rye, and malted barley. These ingredients are carefully distilled to produce vodka with an exceptionally smooth and refined taste.
After distillation, the vodka is placed into stainless steel tanks for twelve months to mature and develop its smooth finish. Due to its limited production, CLIX Vodka is an exclusive and highly sought-after spirit.
Only 332 gallons of this ultra-fine Vodka were produced, translating to approximately 2,000 bottles. This rarity makes CLIX Vodka a coveted addition to any spirit collection or an exceptional gift for discerning connoisseurs.
Overall, CLIX Vodka is a premium vodka brand that combines expert craftsmanship, high-quality ingredients, and a unique distillation process to produce an ultra-fine vodka that is smooth, refined, and sophisticated.
It’s perfect for serving neat, on the rocks, with tonic, or in various cocktails.
20. Svedka
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Svedka vodka is a brand of Swedish Vodka that was created in 1998. It’s made from winter wheat and is distilled five times for a smooth and clean taste.
Svedka Vodka comes as original –unflavored and in several flavors, including cherry limeade, strawberry guava, peach, ginger lime, and blue raspberry.
It’s often marketed as a high-quality vodka that is affordably priced, making it popular among consumers who are looking for a good value.
Svedka vodka has won numerous awards for its quality and taste, including the 2012 and 2013 Impact Hot Brand Awards.
It’s a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you prefer your vodka straight up or mixed in a cocktail, there are many ways to savor the smooth and clean taste of Svedka.
What’s Your Pick?
Top-shelf vodkas are a worthwhile investment for those seeking a premium and smooth drinking experience. Their quality and taste make them ideal for sipping neat or as a part of high-end cocktails.
While they may be pricier than other vodkas, the difference in taste and overall enjoyment is well worth it for those who appreciate a top-quality spirit.
If you’re a vodka enthusiast looking to treat yourself, try some top-shelf vodka brands above and share your thoughts below!
