19 Dec 2024
The Vodka Of The Year, According To The Beverage Testing Institute
BevTest has unveiled its highly anticipated Top 10 Vodkas of 2024, a selection that embodies the pinnacle of unflavored vodkas. Among these, Elit Vodka stands out as the Vodka of the Year.
The Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) has unveiled its highly anticipated Top 10 Vodkas of 2024, a selection that embodies the pinnacle of unflavored vodkas. Among these, Elit Vodka stands out as the Vodka of the Year, a testament to its unparalleled quality and craftsmanship. Recently, I sat down with Jerald O’Kennard, President of the Chicago-based Beverage Testing Institute, to talk about the year’s major trends and top vodkas.
Vodka is a pillar of the craft spirits industry, and according to O’Kennard, “paying the bills at all price points.”
He went on to add, “Vodka is often maligned as colorless, odorless, and therefore boring by U.S. drinkers of more ‘serious’ spirits categories and even by the drinks trade that gives it shade for just ‘paying the bills.’ However, we’ve seen a clear trend towards higher-priced, super-premium, and luxury offerings that deliver appreciable taste differences for those who want them in their vodka.”
O’Kennard singled out Stolichnaya’s Elit Vodka, BevTest’s Vodka of the Year, noting, “Elit is an outstanding example of this paradigm even though it has come down in price to $39 recently; it’s remarkable in its texture, subtly complex flavor, and, of course, smoothness.”
He added, “Equally compelling and commanding a higher price point is the Nykur Limited Edition Super Premium Organic Jaeger Corps Vodka from Denmark, with a super supple texture and pure organic flavors. Sailing full steam ahead into the $100 horizon, the Yacht Life Vodka from Florida has a buoyant body and a stern grain-forward character.”
Below are tasting notes on BevTest’s Top 10 Vodkas of 2024.
Elit Vodka
Elit Vodka was picked as the 2024 Vodka of the Year. The BevTest Judging Panel described the vodka as expressing “aromas of vanilla, lemongrass, and fresh cotton. The flavors showcase accents of crisp alpine air, lemon zest, and cotton. I am hard-pressed to find a Vodka that is cleaner and more neutral in taste and aroma and free of any distillation flaws or alcohol burn.”
Nykur Limited Edition Super Premium Organic Jaeger Corps Vodka
The BevTest Judging Panel described this premium Danish vodka as expressing “aromas of proofed dough, lemon, and green apple sharpie. The flavors feature Italian bread, crushed white flowers, and ginger. Beautiful, elegant, and clean with just a hint of baked bread sweetness.”
Dirty Devil Vodka
BevTest’s Judging Panel described the vodka as expressing: “aromas of vanilla, tree sap, and lemon zest. The flavors showcase vanilla-glazed mixed nuts, marzipan, and pepper. A round and clean sipping Vodka that will also satisfy all your Vodka mixing needs.”
Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka
A perennial medalist in international spirit competitions, the BevTest Judging Panel described the Ramsbury Vodka as showing “aromas of lemon zest, lime juice, and clean cotton. The flavors feature lime peel, vanilla cream, and black pepper on pineapple. Incredibly clean with light hints of fruit, a pleasing green herbal, and citrus character lightly dancing upon your tongue.”
Yacht Life Vodka
Yacht Life is a new entry in the ranks of premium vodka. The BevTest Judging Panel described the vodka as featuring “aromas of corn chowder, masa, and Wheat thin crackers. The flavors showcase rye bread with green apple, almond flour, and cornbread batter. A lightly flavorful Vodka with grain forward, earthy aromas and fruity undertones that you can enjoy by itself or mixed into your next Martini.”
Meili Vodka Batch 01
The BevTest Judging Panel described this vodka as expressing: “aromas of sweet grass, lemongrass, and dried sage. The flavor features vanilla spearmint, sweet grass, and lemon pepper nuances. It maintains a slight Vodka bite, which will be excellent in cocktails, and otherwise, it has a lovely green and herbal flavor with light citrus and vanilla. It is quite pleasing.”
Krooked Tusker Distillery QKA Kismet Vodka Batch 27
Its name notwithstanding, this vodka is made in New York. The BevTest Judging Panel described the vodka as showing “aromas of vanilla extract, parchment paper, and wheat cracker. The flavors feature spun sugar, vanilla cream, and honeydew. It is a nearly neutral Vodka, perfect for all cocktail applications, with a pleasing degree of sweetness on the palate.”
Longleaf Distilling Co. Longleaf Vodka
The BevTest Judging Panel described this vodka as showcasing “aromas of crostini, lemon pepper, and vanilla. The flavors feature pickled ginger, black pepper, and vanilla with star anise. Neutral and clean with just a whisper of grain and pepper to enliven the palate.”
Georgian Bay Vodka Batch No. 348
Georgian Bay is a Canadian vodka produced in Ontario. The BevTest Judging Panel described it as exhibiting “aromas of vanilla, carnations, and rose water. The flavors feature raspberry vanilla nougat, rose, and carnation. Plush, round on the palate, and light and sweet with a unique and delicious floral note that stands out.”
Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
A legacy brand that is the world’s best-selling vodka. With a yearly turnover of 26 million 9-liter cases, Smirnoff has twice the volume of its next closest competitor. The BevTest Judging Panel described the vodka as showing “aromas of lemon pepper, parchment paper, and cream corn. The flavors showcase vanilla cream corn, black pepper, and butcher’s paper. Light and crisp with a delicate citrus note and pepper spice with a light bite of alcohol on the finish.”
These ten vodkas hail from all over the world and range in price from under $20 per bottle to as much as $100 a bottle. They are based on various vodka mash bills, presenting a broad palette of aroma and flavor profiles. They will work equally well in cocktails, in a martini or straight up. These are all outstanding and worth trying.
Bottoms up.