Flavored Vodka 2021
 

Best Flavored Vodka - 2021

 

The Fifty Best Domestic Vodka Tasting 2021


The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 13 flavored vodkas with ten members of our spirits judging panel. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. The flavored vodkas were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, unflavored unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The flavored vodkas were tasted in groups of flavor categories. The judges were informed of the flavors, but not the brands. Scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded for the tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The distilleries, states of origin, alcohol proof and other tidbits are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.



DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Method + Standard Apple Spice Infused Vodka
(Piedmont Distillers, NC)  Juiced apples & cinnamon.   70° prf

Palate: Baked apple, baked apple pie, spicy apple pie, apple-cinnamon cake, coffee cake, toasty cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, rice pudding, nicely blended, nice delivery, smooth, dances on the palate.
Finish: Stewed apple, apple dumpling, apple pie, graham cracker, homey, toffee, butterscotch, cinnamon sugar, cinnamon, beautiful balance, consistent, pleasant, satisfying.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Method + Standard Apple Spice Infused Vodka



Dr. Stoner's Fresh Herb Vodka
(VA)  84° prf

Palate: Hint of cannabis/hemp, fresh bud, Humboldt County, wild garden, coriander, oregano, Greek oregano, touch of basil, fresh herbs, cucumber, mint, hint of cocoa, light coffee notes, peppery, smoky, interesting combo, pleasant balance of flavors, flavorful.
Finish: Fresh herbs, bold sweet herbs, fresh ground kush, hemp, strong oregano, spice, citrus, good spread of flavors, flavorful, nice sweetness, velvety, very interesting & unique, outstanding, pleasant, elegant, delicious, amazing.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Dr. Stoner's Fresh Herb Vodka



ALB Cucumber Flavored Vodka
(Albany Distilling Co., NY)  70° prf

Palate: Fresh cucumber essence, pure cucumber, fresh cucumber juice, freshly infused cucumber, bright cucumber, basil, earth, great balance, spa day, fresh, refreshing, authentic.
Finish: Fresh garden cucumber, fresh cucumber juice, mellow cuke, very cucumber, lingering cucumber, well made, very fresh, clean, natural, elegant, great on the rocks, delicious.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



ALB Cucumber Flavored Vodka



Belvedere Organic Infusions
Lemon & Basil Flavored Vodka

(Poland)  80° prf

Palate: Fresh lemon, fresh lemon peel, bright lemon zest, lemon oil, bright citrus, Luigi’s Lemon Italian Ice, basil, American basil, Italian basil, herbal, pine, creamy base, nicely tart, well executed.
Finish: Strong lemon, lemon peel, lemon rind, lemon tree, basil stronger on the finish, anise, spicy bite, zingy, tart, velvety texture, nice blend, nicely balanced, garden fresh, fresh laundry, clean, bold, excellent martini.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Belvedere Organic Infusions Lemon & Basil Flavored Vodka



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Fort Orange - Orange Flavored Vodka
(Albany Distilling Co., NY)  80° prf

Palate: Mandarin orange, bright Valencia orange, prominent orange, smooth orange, orange peel, orange zest, very authentic bitter rind, Sunkist orange soda, orange marmalade, great for a cocktail.
Finish: Real orange essence, orange zest, orange oil, marmalade, orange & dark chocolate, black tea, beautifully made, clean, smooth, nice, pleasant, sophisticated, a winner.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Fort Orange Orange Flavored Vodka



Awakened Spirit Vodka with Coffee
(Albany Distilling Co., NY)  66.6° prf

Palate: Really good coffee, sweet black coffee, American coffee, cold brew, fresh espresso beans, Hawaiian coffee bean, light roast, Kahlúa coffee liqueur, coffee ice cream, mocha, chocolate, hint of cocoa, earth.
Finish: Cold brew coffee, iced coffee latte, chocolate covered coffee beans, tree bark, no bitterness, clean, bold, concentrated, flavorful, for coffee lovers, delicious.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Awakened Spirit Vodka with Coffee



Belvedere Organic Infusions
Blackberry & Lemongrass Flavored Vodka

(Poland)  With a drop of linden honey.  80° prf

Palate: Sun kissed blackberries, crushed blackberries, raspberry, fresh lemongrass, lemon peel, citrus, pear, summer punch, nice melding of flavors, great blend of the two flavors, lemongrass adds brightness.
Finish: Blackberry lemonade, blackberry pie, lemongrass, herbal, nice balance, perfect amount of tartness, crisp, flavorful, lots of character.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Belvedere Organic Infusions Blackberry & Lemongrass Flavored Vodka



Belvedere Organic Infusions
Pear & Ginger Flavored Vodka

(Poland)  With a drop of linden honey.  80° prf

Palate: Freshly grated ginger, pear, poached pear, natural flavors, ginger tea, mint, tea leaves, floral, balanced spice & sweet, refreshing blend, highly flavorful.
Finish: Bosc pear, pear skin, ginger kick, pickled ginger, exactly pear/ginger, floral, well made, excellent balance, velvety.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Belvedere Organic Infusions Pear & Ginger Flavored Vodka



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Old Blood & Guts' Strawberry Flavored Vodka
(1350 Distilling, CO)  Distilled from sugar beets,
naturally flavored.  80° prf

Palate: Strawberries indeed, crushed strawberries, macerated strawberries, strawberry gum, cantaloupe, melon, melon rind, strawberry blossom, tart, juicy, true to flavor.
Finish: Prominent strawberry, warm strawberries, real fruit, strawberry cream Lifesavers, lemon, berry softly lingers, soft, clean, refreshing, tasty, delicious.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Old Blood & Guts' Strawberry Flavored Vodka



Method + Standard Strawberry Infused Vodka
(Piedmont Distillers, NC)  Infused with whole strawberries.  70° prf

Palate: Cooked strawberries, stewed strawberries, essence of strawberry on the bush, strawberry bonbon candy, peach, nougat, caramel, faint wormwood, a touch of wood, delicate, smooth.
Finish: Sweet strawberry, strawberry jelly, spice notes, peppery, nice balance, nuanced, smooth, clean, fresh, rich, tasty, a nice sipper, great straight up, great for cocktails.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Method + Standard Strawberry Infused Vodka



Butterfly Elderberry Flavored Vodka
(Butterfly Spirits, MD)  70° prf

Palate: Elderberry, deep rich berry, peach, lychee, melon, Haribo Frogs Gummi candy, honey, elderflower, fresh cut flowers, dill, floral shop, butterfly pea flower tea, balanced.
Finish: Prominent elderberry, elderberry tincture, juicy berries, strong floral, spring blooms, rich earthy tones, nicely balanced, bright, tangy, zesty, great on rocks, delicious.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Butterfly Elderberry Flavored Vodka



Method + Standard Raspberry Infused Vodka
(Piedmont Distillers, NC)  Infused with whole raspberries.  70° prf

Palate: Wild raspberry, raspberry juice, fiery raspberry, raspberry sauce, raspberry tart, floral, peppery, chocolate note, nice woody depth, nicely balanced, round, soft, bright.
Finish: Fresh raspberry, sweet raspberry, raspberry lollipop, peppery, balanced, creamy, nice sweetness, spritz worthy, elegant, delicious.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Method + Standard Raspberry Infused Vodka



Bellewood Raspberry Vodka
(Bellewood Distilling, WA)  80° prf

Palate: Subtle raspberry, cooked berries, apple skin, mountain flowers, herbal notes, olive oil, fresh earthy tones, tart.
Finish: Subtle raspberry, ripe raspberries, citrus, floral, slightly spicy, woody, cedar, big, bold, interesting.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bellewood Raspberry Vodka

 

 

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