Imported Vodka 2020
 

Best Premium Imported Vodka - 2020

The Fifty Best Imported Vodka Tasting 2020

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 8 imported vodkas with 10 members of The Fifty Best's spirits judging panel. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. Each of the vodkas were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unflavored crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

Double-Gold and Gold medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. Due to the mostly higher scores overall, there were no Silver or Bronze medals awarded for this tasting.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The countries of origin are given, with a few tidbits added for each brand. All of these vodkas are 80 proof, unless otherwise specified. Clicking on the brand names links to their websites.

 

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNER

Belvedere Single Estate Rye Smogóry Forest
(Poland)
Distilled from Diamond Dankowskie rye. Unfiltered.

Nose: Vanilla, citrus, lemon peel, fresh linens, minerality.
Palate: Toffee, clotted cream, vanilla, stone fruit, pineapple, Juicy Fruit gum, light citrus, light herbs, grain, coffee, spicy, earth, steely, viscous, nice, soft, smooth, easy to drink.
Finish: Vanilla, whipped cream, peppery, good minerality, earth, sawdust, smoky, well balanced, crisp, silky, smooth, approachable, elegant.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



   Belvedere Single Estate Rye Smogóry Forest Vodka



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Monopolowa
(Austria)
Distilled from potatoes.

Nose: Vanilla, whipped cream, creamy, candy corn, potato, nice citrus, fresh grass, fresh rain water, very clean.
Palate: Vanilla, powdered sugar, cereal grains, wheat, potato, cocoa, light green apple, slight kirschwasser notes, slight spice, hint of white pepper, balanced, fresh, clean, crisp, creamy, silky.
Finish: Vanilla, chocolate, mint, lightly peppery, white pepper, balanced, clean, crisp, velvety, smooth, approachable, easy drinking.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Monopolowa Vodka



Belvedere Pure
(Poland)
Distilled from rye.

Nose: Cream, dough, lime, spearmint, light herbs, fresh cut grass, slate, water, clean.
Palate: Caramel, clotted cream, vanilla, dough, herbaceous, violet, menthol, spicy, pepper, tannins, soft, smooth, easy on the palate.
Finish: Soft vanilla, rye bread, light herbs, pepper, white pepper, sawdust, wet stone, clean, soft, smooth, rich, great in a cocktail.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Belvedere Pure Vodka



Sash & Fritz Deutscher Wodka
(Germany)
Distilled from German wheat.

Nose: Grain, floral, wet stone, fresh water, clean.
Palate: Vanilla, whipped cream, creamy, wheat, toast, anise, spicy, pepper, peppery, slate, flavorful, balanced, clean, bright, smooth.
Finish: Cucumber, clotted cream, herbal, spicy, light pepper, soft, smooth, easy to drink, great in a martini.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Sash & Fritz Deutscher Wodka



NEFT
(Austria)
Distilled from rye.

Nose: Vanilla, almond, soft citrus, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, freshly cut potato, anise, lightly vegetal, grain, cotton, mineral, wet stone, clean, crisp.
Palate: Caramel, milk chocolate, creamy, vanilla, almond, lavender, anise, citrus, citrus peel, wet stone, crisp, creamy, soft, delicious.
Finish: Mild green pepper, lingering spice, well rounded, creamy, smooth, bright, pleasant, delectable.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



NEFT Vodka



Belvedere Heritage 176
(Poland)
Distilled from malted rye.

Nose: Cookie dough, light vanilla, grain, dried figs, lemon-lime, slight herbal, light pepper, dogwood, wet stone, fresh water.
Palate: Lemon-lime, anise, minty, fresh cut grass, herbal, lilac, pastry dough, grain, white pepper, earth, smoky, woody, citrus, crisp, fresh, smooth.
Finish: Citrus, cream, floral, licorice, spicy, smoky, clean, nice, soft, silky, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Belvedere Heritage 176 Vodka



Belvedere Single Estate Rye Lake Bartężek
(Poland)
Distilled from Diamond Dankowskie rye.

Nose: Light vanilla, cream, citrus, pine forest note, ash, linens, running water, clean.
Palate: Light vanilla, whipped cream, brown sugar, sweet grains, cookie dough, unripe apples, citrus, vegetal, spice, peppery, pepper, wet stones, chalk, earth, ash, juniper, smooth.
Finish: Citrus, lingering pepper, flinty, stone, earth, nice, clean, crisp, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Belvedere Single Estate Rye Lake Bartężek Vodka



the reid Single Malt Vodka
(Cardrona Distillery, NZ) 88 prf

Nose: Banana, papaya, Juicy Fruit gum, Double Bubble gum, apple, sour apple, pastry, corn, wax.
Palate: Sweet caramel, bananas foster, ripe banana, tropical fruit, Juicy Fruit gum, vanilla, grain, chalk, oaky, flavorful, crisp, clean, round, velvety, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, honey, banana, banana bread, bubble gum, fruit gum, nice, clean, smooth, creamy, delicious, excellent.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



the reid Single Malt Vodka

 

 

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