Breast Filtered Vodka

Best Vodka
Breast Filtered Vodka
G Spirits Vodka

See the best vodka brands for 2020 here.
Skeptics claim that vodka is bland by design, but that’s simply not true. As with any spirit, there is diversity within the category. Certain vodkas are light and crisp, others are round and viscous, and some smell alarmingly like nail polish remover.

Except you’d exhaust your Brita filters; vodka is as hard on a Brita filter as it is on your liver; you’ll need multiples, upping the cost. Add that to the fact that what you’ll get after 4. Mar 05, 2020.

We tasted vodkas across a broad array of price points, countries of origin, and base grains to determine our 15 favorite bottles.

You might notice some top-selling vodkas absent from this list. Here’s why: We sample everything at room temperature. This makes for a more honest tasting, but it also reveals the off-flavors or divisive notes in spirits that are typically served ice-cold.

If you prefer to stick with your house vodka, we understand. Drink what you like! But, if you’re interested in checking out the best of the best at every price point, we encourage you to take a look — and taste the difference.

Under $25

Svedka

Versatile and smooth, with exceptional value, this inexpensive vodka has faintly citrusy notes on the palate (“Like lemon expressed over a cocktail, not like fresh lemon,” one panelist said) and a pleasingly unctuous texture. It would be great in cocktails, such as a vodka Martini with a twist. Average price: $12.

Prairie Organic Vodka

This all-American option is proudly organic. We smelled round and “brown” notes, like cooked barley, but the palate is zesty and crisp, making it a good candidate for a vodka soda. Average price: $17.

Reyka Vodka

The boozy nose on this Icelandic spirit gave us pause at first, but VinePair’s tasters enjoyed the light, minty cucumber flavors on this gin-like vodka. “It’s very fresh,” commented one panelist, “It’s like the Hendrick’s of vodka.” Average price: $20.

Ketel One

This vodka would definitely benefit from being served cold, but, even at room temperature, our tasters appreciated its smooth, balanced texture. There is heat on the nose, but a spicy, almost botanical finish. Average price: $23.

UNDER $50

Aylesbury Duck Vodka

A light, crisp Canadian vodka, Aylesbury has exceptional branding (the adorable bottle is most certainly targeting cocktail bars) and a white peppery finish. A good option for mixed drinks, especially savory Bloody Marys. Average price: $25

VDKA 6100

Distilled from whey, this New Zealand spirit has a light, silky texture and fresh finish. “I love how not synthetic it tastes,” one panelist remarked. It would be an excellent mixer in a vodka soda or Martini. Average price: $28.

FAIR Quinoa Vodka

It’s easy to dismiss FAIR as all sizzle and no steak, given its trendy base grain, quinoa, and its skinny, club-ready bottle. That would be a mistake. Our tasters were impressed by the vodka’s fresh, almost floral scent, and crisp, refreshing palate. “It tastes cold even when it’s warm,” one said approvingly. Average price: $30.

Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka

This small-batch American vodka gets its comparatively “full-bodied” character from Pennsylvania-grown potatoes. It has a clean nose and smooth, balanced finish. Average price: $33.

Grey Goose

A top-shelf favorite in the early aughts, this French vodka remains a strong seller, moving some 2.6 million 9-liter cases in 2016. Our tasters appreciated its light, clean nose with no strong odor, and its pleasant heat on the palate: “You know you’re not drinking water.” Average price: $35.

Under $100

Jean-Marc XO Vodka

From Cognac, France comes this spirit distilled no fewer than nine times in copper Alambic stills. Its light, floral nose is followed by a smooth, almost creamy palate. Average price: $52.

Barr Hill Vodka

It comes as no surprise to find notes of honey and vanilla in this spirit, since it’s distilled from raw Vermont honey. It remains balanced, however, making it a great candidate for cocktails. Average price: $56.

Crystal Head Vodka Aurora

An unremarkable nose is followed by a zesty, citrusy palate in this memorably packaged Canadian option. “The finish is long,” one panelist said approvingly. VinePair has had excellent results mixing this into cocktails, too. Average price: $60.

Woody Creek Reserve

Best Vodka

Creamy and smooth, this Colorado vodka easily stands on its own over ice or with a lemon wedge in a chilled glass. Made from Polish heirloom potatoes called Stobrawa, and available in small batches annually, Woody Creek Reserve is not filtered, giving it a fuller, unctuous quality than many on the market. Average price: $77

Carbonadi Vodka

A luxurious vodka with a clean, clear nose and zesty palate, Carbonadi hails from Piemonte, Italy. It’s crisp, zesty, and almost herbal, inspiring one taster to comment, “I think it’s verging on gin.” The name comes from its unusual production process: Carbonadi is made from organic wheat, distilled five times, and filtered using carbonados, or black diamonds. Average price: $90

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