| SPIRIT REVIEWS |

There’ s a saying in the trade:“ Vodka pays the bills.” It may not be the trendiest spirit, but people love vodka. And despite its rather neutral character, vodkas can vary widely among styles and brands. These are some of the highest-rated vodkas on the market today.

The following notes and ratings come from the most recent judging of the New York International Spirits Competition. Judges for the NYISC are trade professionals— retailers, bartenders, buyers, etc.— who blind taste products based on price tiers. These ratings and reviews recognize spirits that represent both quality and value.

DOUBLE GOLD

Belvedere 10 Year Belvedere has never approached its vodka to be neutral in taste and body. On the nose, notes of vanilla cream along with an oak influence. The palate is silky, and the rye spiciness is layered and full bodied. The finish is long for vodka, with sweet vanilla and hints of cinnamon.

GOLD

Bond St. Vodka Quadruple-distilled from Midwestern winter wheat and filtered through charcoal, giving it a crystal-clear vision in the glass. On the nose, fresh grain sweetness, a hint of citrus zest and delicate white pepper. In the mouth, the wheat base comes through immediately, followed by soft vanilla notes and a suggestion of minerality. The medium finish is clean with hints of black pepper. Great for a Martini.

Belvedere Organic Vodka Showcasing why Polish rye vodka has earned its esteemed reputation being brilliantly clear with noticeable legs as it swirls the glass. The nose is characteristic rye spice with subtle white pepper and hints of vanilla. On the palate, an immediate creamy sweetness that transitions into gentle peppery warmth. The texture is notably smooth and full-bodied, coating the mouth with velvety richness. The finish is medium length and warming without burn. A versatile vodka for cocktails or simply neat.

Spy Trail Distillery Vodka A New York state craft vodka expression distilled from local sourced grains. The nose offers hints of fresh bread, subtle sweetness and clean mineral notes. The palate smoothness has gentle sweetness, with a touch of creaminess along with hints of vanilla. The finish is clean and moderate and balanced. A versatile vodka based upon your needs.

Neft Vodka A vodka from Austria made with pristine Alpine spring water and non-GMO rye. It pours crystal-clear and has a nose that is clean and inviting with a soft medley of rye grain, subtle sweetness and hints of flower. The palate smoothness has a understated complexity with rye and creamy vanilla notes that is layered on the tongue. The finish has a medium clean finish with hints of pepper.

Aero Squadron Vodka Distilled from corn and charcoal filtered to a pristine and clear liquid. The nose is delicate and has soft corn sweetness along with hints of vanilla cream. When tasting, the sweetness comes through immediately as it lies softly in the mouth. The finish is brief and clean and ideal for vodka-forward cocktails.

Ora Vodka Distilled from Italian wheat and from water filtered through Carrara marble, providing a crystal clear liquid. The nose is clean with light wheat, vanilla and citrus notes. On the palate, sweetness and its wheat base emerge immediately, along with hints of nuts and pepper. The finish is clean, along with lingering grain sweetness to make it a versatile vodka to use in cocktails and shots.

D’ Yavol Vodka An Eastern European named vodka distilled from grains that translates to“ devil” The vodka is clear and coats the glass. When nosed, grain, pepper spice and rye rise up. In the mouth, grain and pepper layers the tongue. The finish is long, as it’ s full bodied in the mouth, with a soft layer of spice on top. A classic Eastern European vodka that should be served chilled for shots and vodka-focused cocktails.

Vodka 57 Pure Glacier Vodka Distilled in Iceland using local water and grains giving it a crystal-clear liquid. The nose has soft grain sweetness and a whisper of vanilla. The sweetness in the first sip smoothly turns into a creamy texture with balanced grain flavors as it lies softly in the mouth. The finish is clean with a soft sweetness that would do well in a Vodka Tonic.

Holistic Spirits Company Vodka Distilled from certified organic corn and filtered through coconut-shell carbon to give its clear color. The nose has a soft corn sweetness, vanilla notes and minerality. When in the mouth, the organic corn base is present with light caramel notes and not syrupy or heavy bodied. The finish is clean with soft sweetness and no burn. A versatile vodka that is a great representative of an organic produced spirit.

Oxford Oaks Distillery Vodka A Connecticut distillery bringing its farm-to-table mentality to vodka, using locally sourced grains and distilled in traditional copper pot stills. Clear in the glass, and when brought to the nose, a fresh bread and gentle sweetness rises from the glass. When in the mouth it is full but not challenging, with vanilla sweetness layered along

18 | SPRING 2026 • CHEERS @ HOME WWW. CHEERSONLINEATHOME. COM