Vodka is one of the most popular spirits around, and for good reason. It is a chameleon and blends with just about everything. While the final product is to be colorless, odorless and tasteless, one of the absolute best way to taste and enjoy this spirit, is to try it neat.
Traditionally vodka is made from corn, potatoes, or grains, however new producers, and old alike, are now introducing more exotic base materials like grapes, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and maple syrup, in an attempt to offer unique flavor profiles, …somewhat similar to terroir.
Here are 12 Vodkas You Should Be Trying
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IDÔL Vodka
Produced from hand picked Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in Burgundy, France, this vodka is distilled seven times and filtered five times. IDÔL is crafted using techniques borrowed from the region’s winemakers. This process creates a sweet, grape-forward vodka with a crisp, mild finish. Total Wine $34
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Absolut Elyx
Made from single estate wheat and harvested from the Råbelöf Estate in Sweden. This highly refined vodka is distilled in copper stills, which gives it a unique flavor profile. $40, binnys.com
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Akvinta Vodka
Fine Italian wheat and pure Croatian spring water are the backbone of this vodka, but, it is their patented Quintuple Filtration process that strips away any impurities that leaves the final product with a light, floral scent with a hint of lemon. Try this one neat as it is extremely smooth. $30
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Corbin Sweet Potato Vodka from Sweet Potato Spirits
Yes, that’s right, a vodka that is distilled using sweet potatoes. While plenty of vodkas are made from potatoes, hardly any are distilled from the vegetable’s cousin—the sweet potato. Sweet Potato Spirits founder and distiller David Souza, “The front to mid palate is where you’ll experience a buttery or caramel notes, and as it moves to the back of your mouth, you’ll get a more nutty, earthy flavor followed by a very subtle sweetness on the finish,” he says. $30, klwines.com
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Leopold Bros. Silver Tree American Small Batch Vodka
This vodka uses three ingredients for a truly unique combination: barley, wheat and potato. It is distilled seven separate times and is strained, never filtered, creating a light and clean finish. $40
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Frey Ranch Vodka
Made at one of the only estate distilleries in the U.S. this producer uses a blend of four grains, including wheat, corn, barley and rye. Smooth enough to try neat $25, totalwine.com
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DiVine Vodka
Considered “estate vodka” because it is distilled onsite in a 20 foot copper pot still, this grape based vodka has a fruity aroma with a elegant finish. $30
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Hangar One Straight Vodka
Made from Viognier grapes, Hangar One’s Straight Vodka is one of the few American vodkas made with grapes as the base ingredient $25, binnys.com
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Royal Dutch Distillers Rutte Vodka
Made from organic wheat this is a rich, round body vodka. $42, hitimewine.net
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Froggy B Vodka
Organic wheat is the base and it is distilled in the Cognac region of France. While most vodkas are distilled up to four or five times, this vodka is unique, in that it is distilled 6 times, leaving the final product with a smooth sweetness on the palate and a warm pepper finish. $15
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St. Augustine Florida Cane Vodka
This vodka has a unique flavor without the bite. Distilled from 100% Florida sugar cane, has a natural sweetness and slightly grassy quality from the sugar base. $29, vintageliquor.com
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Square One Organic Rye Vodka
Made exclusivity from 100% organic American rye, this vodka has a slightly nutty spice and full body. No charcoal filtration is used to preserve the rye’s natural characteristics. $40, bevmo.com
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