SpiritsHandpicked by IWSC
Top producers of the world's best vodka are letting their core ingredient's flavour shine through. Here are ten great examples of the spirit to try - all award winners at the IWSC 2022
Words by IWSC judges
Handpicked by IWSC
The modern craze for co*cktails meant that vodka saw a surge in popularity around the 1990s. Back then – and way ahead of the craft gin boom – it was all about purity. Vodka producers would go out of their way to cite the natural water sources used to dilute their spirit or would detail their (often-convoluted) filtration methods of choice. The goal was to have as neutral a spirit as possible, geared towards mixing those drinks at the bar.
In 2022, things have moved on. Now, the best vodkas are playing on the character of whatever lies at their base – be that potato, common cereal grains, rice, whey or beyond. The thing that defines this latest wave of producers around the world is that they’re finally letting the flavour of the core ingredient do the talking.
The IWSC’s 2022 results confirm this trend. France’s Gold-medal winning Marie-Antoinette Vodka from Distillerie Combier stood out for its notes of grape, citrus and elderflower and sherbet fruitiness. It sounds vastly different to those neutral spirits of the ‘90s. Cubist Freezer Vodka from Phillips Distilling also scored an impressive 98 points for its ‘beautifully complex nose of fennel, rose petal and Italian pastry,’ according to judges. And of course Poland got a nod, with the ‘deep palate with milk chocolate, red fruit and cardamon spice,’ of Pravda’s Vodka praised by judges at this year’s IWSC.
If you find the gin world’s ever-expanding list of botanicals mystifying but you’re into the craft side of things in top spirits, these vodkas – all awarded Gold and Silver at the 2022 International Wine & Spirit Competition – could make for a great place to start sipping.
- 1Distillerie Combier, Marie-Antoinette Vodka
- 2Phillips Distilling, Cubist Freezer Vodka
- 3Pravda, Vodka
- 4Alberta Distillers, Alberta Pure Vodka
- 5Corby Spirit & Wine, Polar Ice Vodka
- 6Dom Wina, Dwór Sieraków Superior Vodka
- 7Oodaaq, Ultra Premium Vodka
- 8Polmos Zyrardow, Belvedere Heritage 176 Vodka
- 9Tiraspol Winery & Distillery Kvint, Viuga Vodka
- 10Bastille Day, Guillotine Originale Vodka
see vodka tasting notes
How do we judge these spirits?
We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.
How do we score these spirits?
Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.
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Club Ois an exclusive community and the go-to platform for wine and spirit lovers. Our flagship Club Oenologiquemagazineoffers even more insights for enthusiasts and collectors. Based in London, our editorial team tells informative, inspirational stories from the world of wine and spirits, gastronomy and travel, as well as covering recommendations and the latest trends in drink. You can take a look at ourExplainedseries, for instance, where we’re tackling grape varieties, regions and styles of wine and spirits. Alternatively, visit ourAsk the Sommeliersection, where experts answer your wine-related questions.
Ten of the best vodkas from around the world from the IWSC 2022
1
1
Distillerie Combier, Marie-Antoinette Vodka
98 
Outstanding. Subtle aromas, combining grape, citrus and elderflower delicacy. Unctuous viscosity creates a rounded mouthfeel with a sherbet fruitiness that delights the senses. A refined, delicate drink that is smooth,… Read More
Price: 58€
Stockist:
2
2
Phillips Distilling, Cubist Freezer Vodka
98
Beautifully complex nose of fennel, rose petal and Italian pastry. The lighter flavours open up more on the palate with lemon peel and white flower. Wonderfully balanced with a long… Read More
3
3
Pravda, Vodka
98
Wonderfully clean and gentle. Notes of cereal and cocoa on the nose evolve on the rich and deep palate with milk chocolate, red fruit and cardamon spice. Generous and smooth… Read More
4
4
Alberta Distillers, Alberta Pure Vodka
95 
A beautifully integrated and balanced example throughout. There are subtle, nuanced citrus aromas with a touch of mint. The smooth, warming palate continues this minty fresh tingle, and creates a… Read More
5
5
Corby Spirit & Wine, Polar Ice Vodka
95
Mineral notes on the nose with a touch of toffee, vanilla and caramel. Herbaceous on the palate with tangy citrus-driven mouthfeel of apple and pear. Slight hint of black pepper… Read More
6
6
Dom Wina, Dwór Sieraków Superior Vodka
95
Full floral nose of richly perfumed orange blossom, sweet honeysuckle, ripe apple and gingerbread. Clean citrus notes and a touch of orange oil and rosewater on the palate, ripe fecund… Read More
7
7
Oodaaq, Ultra Premium Vodka
95
Delicate, light and creamy scents of pear drops start on the nose and continue to the palate, where the alcohol integrates well without heat taking over the experience. Gentle, cool… Read More
8
8
Polmos Zyrardow, Belvedere Heritage 176 Vodka
93 
Mineral on the nose with a floral and creamy character – custard creams, vanilla yogurt and Danish pastry. Smooth, elegant with a touch of bitterness on the finish. Read More
9
9
Tiraspol Winery & Distillery Kvint, Viuga Vodka
93 
Attractively floral with aromas of fresh cut white flowers. Well textured palate driving a smooth and sweet finish. Read More
10
10
Bastille Day, Guillotine Originale Vodka
92 
Intriguing nose of green apple, milk chocolate and brioche. Medium-bodied spicy notes with a touch of herbal character and aniseed on the finish. Read More
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As a seasoned spirits enthusiast with a deep understanding of the world of vodka, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to dissect the intricacies of the IWSC 2022 and the top producers behind the world's best vodka. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, having extensively explored various vodka offerings and their unique characteristics.
The article highlights a significant shift in the vodka landscape from the '90s, when purity and neutrality were paramount, to the present, where producers are embracing the inherent flavors of their core ingredients. The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) serves as a prestigious stage for recognizing excellence in spirits, and the 2022 results underscore the trend of celebrating the distinct characteristics of base ingredients in vodka.
Let's delve into the ten outstanding vodkas awarded Gold and Silver at the IWSC 2022:
-
Distillerie Combier, Marie-Antoinette Vodka (98 points):
- Notable for its grape, citrus, elderflower notes, and sherbet fruitiness.
- Exhibits a refined, delicate quality with an unctuous viscosity.
-
Phillips Distilling, Cubist Freezer Vodka (98 points):
- Features a beautifully complex nose with fennel, rose petal, and Italian pastry.
- Lemon peel and white flower flavors unfold on the palate, showcasing a wonderful balance.
-
Pravda, Vodka (98 points):
- Characterized by a wonderfully clean and gentle profile.
- Notes of cereal and cocoa on the nose evolve into a rich palate with milk chocolate, red fruit, and cardamom spice.
-
Alberta Distillers, Alberta Pure Vodka (95 points):
- Offers a beautifully integrated and balanced experience with subtle citrus aromas and a touch of mint.
- Smooth, warming palate with a minty fresh tingle.
-
Corby Spirit & Wine, Polar Ice Vodka (95 points):
- Mineral notes on the nose accompanied by toffee, vanilla, and caramel.
- Herbaceous palate with a tangy citrus-driven mouthfeel of apple and pear.
-
Dom Wina, Dwór Sieraków Superior Vodka (95 points):
- Full floral nose with richly perfumed orange blossom, honeysuckle, ripe apple, and gingerbread.
- Clean citrus notes on the palate with a touch of orange oil and rosewater.
-
Oodaaq, Ultra Premium Vodka (95 points):
- Delicate, light, and creamy scents of pear drops on the nose.
- Gentle, cool experience on the palate with well-integrated alcohol.
-
Polmos Zyrardow, Belvedere Heritage 176 Vodka (93 points):
- Mineral nose with floral and creamy character, including custard creams, vanilla yogurt, and Danish pastry.
- Smooth, elegant profile with a touch of bitterness on the finish.
-
Tiraspol Winery & Distillery Kvint, Viuga Vodka (93 points):
- Attractively floral with aromas of fresh-cut white flowers.
- Well-textured palate leading to a smooth and sweet finish.
-
Bastille Day, Guillotine Originale Vodka (92 points):
- Intriguing nose of green apple, milk chocolate, and brioche.
- Medium-bodied with spicy notes and a touch of herbal character, finishing with aniseed.
The judging process at IWSC involves a tightly structured, blind-tasting approach by expert judges in the drinks industry. Only the top spirits, scoring between 95 and 100 points, receive Gold awards. The article emphasizes that these vodkas, with their distinctive profiles, provide an excellent starting point for those intrigued by the craft side of spirits.
In conclusion, the IWSC 2022 serves as a benchmark for recognizing vodkas that go beyond neutrality, allowing the character of the core ingredients to shine and delight the senses.
