Vodka ranks second only to whisky among the world’s best-selling spirits. More than 126 million cases are bought every year, not counting moonshine. And in terms of strength, it has no equal at all. For example, the Polish brand Wratislavia Spirytus consists of 96% alcohol.
What is vodka?
In simple terms, vodka is diluted ethyl alcohol obtained from raw food materials. Today, vodka is produced and consumed worldwide and is used in a wide range of cocktails and mixed drinks. Due to its relatively neutral taste and aroma, vodka is also commonly used as a base spirit for flavored varieties and for making infusions. However, it is important to consume vodka in moderation, as excessive consumption can lead to adverse health effects.
Each country has its own requirements for the base of the drink. In Ukraine, alcohol is distilled from grain crops. In Belarus, potatoes are used alongside grain, whereas in Poland and Germany, potatoes are used exclusively. In other EU countries and in America, any raw vegetable material is allowed. For example, in the state of Minnesota, you can taste beet alcohol.
The choice of raw materials affects the taste:
- Wheat imparts a soft character to the drink, with notes of bread and a citrus aftertaste.
- Barley leaves a feeling of fullness, with an apple-like aftertaste.
- Corn sweetness and the flavor of flowers.
- Rye is spicy, with vegetable undertones.
- Potatoes impart a buttery, earthy flavor.
Regarding the raw materials, the drink’s strength requirements vary. In CIS countries, it is 40-45%. Here, there is a concept of fortified vodka with an alcohol content of 50-56%. In the European Union, this indicator starts from 37.5% and has no final bar. This allowed the company Wratislavia Spirytus to avoid cultivating raw materials for potatoes and grains.
The brewing process proceeds roughly as follows:
- The fermented base undergoes rectification or distillation, where the pure alcohol is separated from impurities. As a result of repeated evaporation and condensation, a product with up to 96% strength is obtained.
- The alcohol is mixed with pre-treated water.
- The resulting composition is filtered.
- Flavored alcohols (infused with herbs, pepper, honey, rye bread) are added.
Finally, the fully finished product is filtered again and bottled.
Absolut (Sweden)
This distillate is among the top three bitters and is sold in 120 countries worldwide. At one time, the sale of the state producer to the Pernod Ricard concern allowed it to cover the country’s foreign debt. The first drink appeared at the end of the 19th century and was characterized by continuous multiple distillation.
The logo, rendered in large letters with a dot, conveys the fullness of flavor and superiority over competitors. The bottle serves as the basis for various artistic additions that decorate the drink. Dried fruits and cereals, which form the basis of the alcoholic bouquet, are supplemented with artesian water.
Armenia Pomegranate (Armenia)
By appearance and taste, the Armenian composition from the company Armenia Wine is not immediately identifiable as wine or vodka. In the production of “Lux” alcohol, pomegranate peel is infused, imparting the liquid a distinctive color and flavor. The addition of sugar syrup further alters the organoleptic properties. Such vodka is considered fruity. It is soft, sweet, and slightly tart. Alcohol is practically not felt, and the flavor of pomegranate is pronounced brightly. The drink is transparent with a crimson tint. The logo, in the form of a pomegranate, emphasizes the vodka’s unusual composition.
Beluga (Russia)
A line of malt vodkas. After distillation, alcohol is mixed with Siberian water from an artesian well at a depth of 300 meters. Three-month sedimentation contributes to the formation of persistent combinations and flavors. Sand-silver filtration guarantees maximum safety. The inclusion of honey and milk thistle is beneficial for health and reduces the alcoholic flavor.
The container design and logo repeat the name; the bottle depicts a beluga, an inhabitant of the northern seas.
Belvedere (Poland)
Polish rye drink has a sharp, structured flavor. The alcohol, after distillation, retains the notes characteristic of cereals. Artesian water is 11 times purified, making it among the purest waters used in the industry. The logo shows the oldest distillery in the city of Girardów, where the brand has been packaged since 1993. The brand is part of the LVMH luxury group, so special attention is paid to its quality and advertising.
Belver Bears (Poland)
A bottle with a bear is a great gift if you have 7,000 dollars. This is how much elite alcohol costs in an unusual bottle with blue illumination. It was created especially for VIP halls of the Cannes Film Festival. Therefore, the main thing here is the entourage. Otherwise, elite alcohol meets all the usual standards. A pleasant bonus is the insistence on citrus fruits.
BlaVod (England)
The first black vodka is unique among its transparent analogs. It appeared in 1996. Its distinctive feature is a dye derived from black acacia. The flavor is alcoholic, velvety, and spicy. The black logo with red lettering fits perfectly into the image of an unusual alcohol.
Chambord (France)
Much more famous is the raspberry-and-blackberry liqueur of the same name, which the French kings drank. The company’s vodka is a similar product made with blackberries and hibiscus, but stronger. The logo, in the form of a seal bearing a crown, attests to the drink’s antiquity and its suitability for the monarchs’ table.
Chase (England)
The English alcoholic drink with orange flavor is ideal for the holiday table. You can see how vodka is made on the brand’s page, where all the processes are demonstrated live. The brand’s logo is fresh, modern, and elegant, as is the approach to image creation.
Ciroc (France)
Cold fermentation of French grapes from the village of Cordes-sur-Siel creates a unique base for vodka production. Copper small cubes for distillation maximize flavor retention. The logo’s large, exquisite blue letters denote the grape bouquet of the strong alcohol.
Cristall (Russia)
In 1987, the famous Moscow plant, where “Stolichnaya” was developed and “Moskovskaya Special” was bottled, was taken into private ownership and was named “Kristall.” This date can be considered the lineup’s birth year, which includes five types of drinks: Kristall, Pure Kristall, Moscow Plant Kristall Premium, and Staraya Moskva. In 2016-18, the plant and the recipe underwent a complete renewal.
The flavor of the flagship drink CRYSTALL is strong and quite sharp. It is considered a vodka classic. Grain alcohol has no additives and is characterized by a grain alcohol flavor with a slight bitterness. Alkosfot has added an additive with lactulose, which has a protective effect, reducing the strength of hangovers.
The design emphasizes the Russian Empire’s crown. It is depicted on the cap, label, and logo, and is visible on the bottle’s transforming top. The emblem recounts the producer’s centennial history, which dates to the time of Emperor Nicholas II.
Crystal Head (England)
It is impossible to pass by the bottle in the form of a skull. Yes, and the logo resembles the era’s inscription, when decapitation was common. However, all this entourage has nothing to do with a very fine recipe. The Canadian spirit consists of fermented sweet corn and local water. It is distilled, filtered the traditional way, passed through 10,000 semi-precious stones, and then through an additional filter. The result is a kosher alcohol with a creamy, slightly citrusy flavor.
Danzka (Denmark)
After fermentation, hard wheat varieties are subjected to Scandinavian distillation in 6 columns. The producer had a long-term monopoly in the Danish market, so its products were the face of the country. And DANZKA was designed to incorporate all the characteristics and flavors of Denmark. Highlighting the logo in red is an attempt to indicate that the drink is the heart of the homeland. Although the local distillery no longer owns it, it still incorporates the best of Danish technology and production secrets.
Diva (Scotland)
Scottish wheat drink of triple distillation. The main highlight is the filtration of crushed gemstones through sand. It is believed that this purification is superior to charcoal purification and imparts a distinctive flavor to the drink. To draw attention to the high quality of vodka, the manufacturer adds a few valuable stones to the bottle. This significantly increases the drink’s price and makes its design royal. A graceful inscription on the logo underscores the drink’s refinement.
Finlandia (Finland)
The pretentious name embodies the recipe characteristic of most Finnish vodkas: six-core barley and glacier meltwater. Hence, the softness and purity of flavor have been appreciated since the 1970s. Another pleasant surprise is the lack of hangover. Reindeer and red sun are also common logos for Scandinavian products.
Five (UK)
The number in the name denotes the number of distillations in a cube of Penderyn, yielding a strength of 43%. One of the ingredients is malt alcohol, which imparts a pungent rye aftertaste with a fruity sweetness. The product has a laconic design: a black bottle with the Roman numeral V.
Grey Cardinal (Lithuania)
Bitter is produced in Lithuania at the factory opened in 1906. Technologies and raw materials were borrowed from different parts of the world. Organic wheat is grown in Italy; water is sourced from the purest European sources; packaging is produced in France; and linen filters were developed in Lithuania. The result is a very balanced drink. Keys with the royal symbol in the logo “opened” the door to universal recognition of the vodka.
Grey Goose (France)
The French brand is made from wheat and is considered one of the best. The line includes classic and flavored versions with lemon, orange, ripe pear, nuts, and chocolate. There are six varieties in total. The main product is clear and buttery, with a macaroon aftertaste.
Despite the French registration, the brand’s founder is a native American. He specifically came to the Cognac region to produce the finest vodka for the United States. The department extracts water from the Alps and cultivates a variety of grains, which are ideal for producing strong alcohol.
A blend of winter wheat is taken into production. The variety is distilled five times and passed through copper filters to soften it. The original bottle, featuring a large image of a goose, is sealed with a real cork that preserves the drink’s flavors. The logo featuring a flying bird matches the brand’s style.
The brand first appeared in 1996; a year later, Grey Goose was recognized as the world’s best vodka. That is why the large corporation Bacardi bought this brand.
Hlebnik (Poland)
The emblem, in the form of a coat of arms with a large letter “P,” is the trademark of the drink’s creator, Boris Rodionov, who developed the recipe in 1866. The alcohol is produced in bottles molded to resemble old pharmacy vessels used to store medicines and herbs. This emphasizes the product’s age.
The recipe is similar to that for semigar, a type of malt distillate that served as the progenitor of Russian vodka. Three-fold distillation in a copper cube enhances the spirit’s organoleptic properties. It has malt, linden honey, bread, and spices with a long, warm aftertaste.
J.J. Kurberg (Estonia)
One of Estonia’s mood-enhancing beverages. The bright yellow-orange color is warm and pleasant. It warms you up and promises a rich bouquet of flavors. The recipe was developed by a pharmacist in the late 19th century. The medicine is prepared from herbal infusions, with hops predominating. Therefore, the drink calms, improves sleep, and normalizes mood. The alcohol is considered organic.
The vodka was named in honor of the inventor. Production is still carried out on the estate purchased by KURBERG. But modernized and named Mine. The label with the logo looks like an old pharmacy prescription. J.J. Vodka. KURBERG is produced in a limited edition, so the cost per liter is higher than average.
JJ Whitley Artisanal (England)
The hot drink deserves close attention because it is made from alpha-alcohols, which not all manufacturers offer. Another advantage of the drink is its 18th-century recipe, one of the oldest. An apple infusion is added to wheat alcohol. The product is then allowed to stand before bottling. The embossed bottle and logo feature an apple tree in blossom. A dark green hue enlivens the emblem.
Ketel One (Holland)
The alcohol is prepared unusually. Wheat vodka wort is first distilled in a column, and then part of it is distilled in special copper pots of the 19th century, in honor of which the drink is named. After both parts are combined, brought to 40 degrees, and filtered, a composition with floral notes and a slight tingling of the mucous membranes is obtained. The Dutch masterpiece was created for cocktails, but it is perfectly drinkable in its pure form. The vintage inscription on the Ketel One logo attests to the recipe’s venerable age.
Koskenkorva (Finland)
This spring water barley distillate is named after the district where the Altia Group produces it. It ranks second in popularity among Finnish vodkas. It takes 18,000 grains to make 1 liter, and the strength increases in 250 stages. It should be noted that the closed cycle and maximum self-sufficiency. The company has field pumping stations, and barley husks are burned to obtain energy for internal processes. The flamboyant logo is set in an unusual font, which underscores the drink’s originality.
Krolewska (Poland)
The brand was launched in 1994 at the Polmos Distillery. The product is made from elite rye grain alcohol harvested in the country’s cleanest regions. The wort undergoes triple distillation. This gives a softer, almost creamy flavor, distinct from that of ordinary rye products.
The sleek, elongated bottle with an elongated base, bright red cork, and label makes the design elegant and graceful, as the name suggests. The label depicts the very ancient St. Mary’s Church located in Krakow. This stunning place of truly royal beauty captures the spirit of the city.
Laplandia (Finland)
True Nordic vodka is not just premium but super-premium. The reindeer and the golden sun on the logo confirm this assessment. The idea for the creation was the purity and virginity of Finnish nature. It contains lake water that has undergone natural purification over thousands of years through layers of sand. The alcohol is obtained from wheat grown on organic family farms. The wort undergoes a seven-fold rectification cycle. After blending, the drink is aged for a month and then filtered through cartridge filters.
Moses Date (Finland)
The matte bottle, featuring an image of Moses in prayer before whom the waters of the Nile part, transforms the brand into a work of art. The choice of subject matter signals to Jews the product’s kosher status, which was designed to celebrate Passover. The Jewish celebration of the Israelites’ exit from Egypt.
The alcohol’s strength is lower than usual (32%), and it contains not only ethyl alcohol from wheat but also cane sugar. The latter imparts a date-like flavor to the composition.
Neft (Austria)
Looking at the design of the distillate, you immediately realize that this is an unusual drink. The spirit is bottled in miniature black oil barrels, each bearing a similar logo. This gives the holiday entourage in the barrel, crystal-clear grain vodka with an aftertaste of meadow grasses and bitter almonds. The liquid is rectified for 50 hours, as evidenced by the range of hues. The line also includes red-and-white oil with the corresponding package design.
Nemiroff (Ukraine)
Ukrainian honey-cumin vodka, known worldwide, has been produced in the city of the same name for over 150 years. Its modern recipe was introduced in 1997, and after 10 years, it was recognized as one of the best in the world. There are various varieties of vodka in the lineup, such as honey-flavored or pepper-flavored. The alcohol is filtered through birch charcoal. The unusual design of the relief bottle and the logo in the form of a wing speak to originality, the drink’s lightness, and the soft taste typical of honey-based products.
Nordic (Finland)
The bottle’s design, featuring snowflakes and snowy landscapes, suggests the drink is produced in Finland’s cold lands. The impression is further enhanced by a logo featuring a compass and the signature “Nordic Cold.”
Barley spirit is produced from six major grain varieties. A long rectification process yields up to 200 purifications. The water is taken from a glacial spring in a remote Finnish village. The drink takes on a very light barley flavor with a hint of licorice.
Pincer Shanghai Strength (Scotland)
The strongest drink has an alcohol content of almost 89 degrees. The Scots produce it for the Chinese market. Of course, you can’t drink it undiluted. The black logo design is central to it, and the image of dried thistle indicates the use of this plant’s extract in the composition.
Purity (Sweden)
Since its introduction in 2007, the drink has received more than 200 awards. What is so special about PURITY vodka? First, it’s organic. The alcohol is produced from raw materials grown without chemical inputs. Secondly, distillation using specialized equipment enhances the product’s taste.
Swedish master blender Thomas Kuuttanen worked on the development of the technology. He founded the distillery in an ancient castle near a healing spring and drew water for production from its artesian wells.
Wheat-barley spirit is distilled in copper and gold rectification columns up to 51 times. The process is slow and takes up to 3 days, producing a rich aftertaste. The logo of layered letters indicates this process. After mixing the spirit with water, the sorting is not filtered as both components are pure. The final mixture is slightly viscous and sweet.
The brand offers three products with different degrees of distillation. It is recommended to be consumed diluted with pure water and with the addition of zest or juices.
Rain (USA)
The drop-shaped bottle’s unique shape immediately draws attention to the American product. The logo with drops and the inscription “water” complete the impression of crystal purity and transparency.
The corn base, typical for strong drinks in the USA, is present in RAIN vodka. The spirit undergoes a seven-fold distillation, which minimizes the alcohol’s taste. The variety is filtered through carbon dust and diamonds, thereby achieving perfect purity.
Reyka (Iceland)
The distillery, which produces vodka, is owned by the renowned Scotch whisky producer William Grant & Sons. The company’s products are always unusual, and REYKA is one of them.
A rich, multifaceted taste with smoky, anise-like notes from tarragon characterizes the Icelandic product. The name suits it just as well. REYKA means “smoke.” The water used in the product is sourced near an active volcano. Hence, there is smoke from the fumes of hot springs, the smell of smoked meats, and the constant hovering in the air near the distillery. The water, filtered through the lava, acquires a useful composition and is purified.
The alcohol is produced from Scottish barley and wheat. Distillation occurs in a copper apparatus of a specific design. Subsequently, the lava is filtered through pulverized lava. After mixing with water, the vodka is bottled. The result is a distinctive alcoholic beverage, and gastronomic tourists do not pass it by without trying it.
The drink’s logo is simple and clean, just like its ingredients.
Russian Standard (Russia)
Water from the springs of Ladoga Lake and winter wheat put the drink on par with most elite spirits. Four filtration and 2nd purification through carbon filters ensure convenient consumption. The lineup has four varieties: Original, Gold, Platinum, and Empire. The last one is the most luxurious, with 8-fold distillation. The bear and the eagle on the logo are symbols of Russia, known worldwide.
Russo-Baltique (Russia)
The most expensive brand, which includes a machine gun as a gift, features a vessel made of bulletproof glass with yellow and white gold trim. Completing the look is the automaton’s logo medallion.
SKYY (USA)
In America, this brand ranks first in sales and fifth worldwide. Unlike the usual corn vodkas in the US, SKYY is made from wheat, which is why its flavor is so distinctive. The classic blend is quadruple distilled and triple-filtered. Bay water imparts an American flavor to the alcohol. The bottle of the drink is as blue as the sky, and the name and logo resemble clouds floating in it.
Smirnoff (England)
Raw materials for the production of the world’s best vodka are purchased in Scotland, and birch coals are used for filtration. The recipe dates back to the early 19th century, when the Smirnoff family owned the factory. It is to them that the world owes the appearance of the masterpiece. Russia lost the rights to the recipe during the revolution, when Smirnov left the country and sold his secret abroad. The brand now belongs to the Diageo group. Only the logo remains from the past. The double-headed eagle, as if carved out of ice and silver and crowned with a victorious red ribbon, testifies to the greatness and celebrity of the drink.
Soplica (Poland)
Polish organic vodka has been produced at the Gniezno plant since 1888. Its name is taken from a poetic work and is the surname of the main character. The company’s founder, Mr. Kasprowicz, tried to put the Polish spirit and history into the drinks in this line. The logo features an old manor house and a signature that preserves the traditions of generations. The bottles have special embossing to deter counterfeiting.
The classic 40% variant is prepared on grain alcohol. Other drinks in the line are produced with fruit and herb additives and more closely resemble tinctures and liqueurs, with an alcohol content of 28%. In their rectification, molasses and spirit juices are introduced. The full recipe is kept secret.
Stolichnaya (Russia)
For the right to use the trademark “Stolichnaya,” there is a serious struggle, as it is the most famous brand of Russian drink, with a history dating back to the USSR. Now, the vodka is produced at the private plant “Kristall.” The label is decorated with gilding, which conveys an air of elitism, and the logo rising upward indicates that quality is improving each year.
According to the recipe, “Lux” alcohol is filtered with charcoal and quartz sand. Refined sugar is added in the final stage, thereby eliminating the spirit’s pungent flavor.
Summum (France)
The Cognac region of France proved ideal not only for producing the eponymous drink but also for a range of premium alcohols. The name of the vodka, translated as “top,” speaks for itself; the drink is one of the best on the market. Rectified wheat alcohol is mixed very slowly, at two-week intervals, with water from a pure source. This process makes the drink airy and silky, with flavors of vanilla and wheat. There is a bitter aftertaste, as with most strong-grain varieties.
In addition to the classics, the brand’s arsenal includes lemon vodka and pepper vodka. The logo radiates sharpness, coldness, and crystal clarity.
Svedka (Sweden)
The flavor of this vodka has notes of the softest grain alcohol, ocean breeze, and sweet citrus. Raw materials for the creation of the masterpiece were sourced in southern Sweden and subjected to five distillations. The brand’s largest consumer is the USA, where it is appreciated for its pleasant flavor profile. The large logo is designed to distinguish the drink on the counter as truly Swedish.
Three Olives (England)
The vodka was launched in London in 1998. The logo featuring a crown immediately conveys the country of origin and the alcohol’s high quality. The drink, made from winter wheat, undergoes a fourfold distillation, softening the flavor and adding mineral tones. The water used in production is sourced from Lake Wales. The cocktail lineup includes flavored versions at 35% strength.
Vermont Spirits White (USA)
This brand of vodka epitomizes the spirit of Vermont. It is handcrafted from Vermont maple trees. Maple wort is used to produce vodka, which is already unusual among grain spirits. Distillation units for distillation are customized. The tree-shaped logo is recognizable and memorable. It indicates an unusual raw material.
Vincent (Holland)
Vodka is named in honor of a famous artist. Its logo, in the form of a brush stroke, resembles the element “Starry Night”. It is based on a blend of the finest wheat spirits from France, Germany, and the Netherlands. On the palate, notes of wheat are accompanied by a mineral aftertaste.
The collection includes a classic version of the drink and a line of fruit-flavored products (apple, berries, orange, pineapple) for different sensations. The products are the basis for a wide range of cocktails.
Vox (Holland)
The drink is prepared at an ancient distillery opened in 1828. Vodka from the Netherlands is distilled five times to achieve a mild flavor. The tall, elongated letters of the logo indicate the container’s shape and the spirit’s production from the finest ingredients. The mixture of wheat alcohol and pure water is considered classic in vodka, so the bread-like flavor and slight bitterness will appeal to connoisseurs of the natural drink.