SpiritsHandpicked by IWSC

Award-winning vodka from around the world

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

bartending making vodka cocktail at bar
Handpicked by IWSC

The modern craze for cocktails 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.

pair of vodka martini cocktails with lemon twist

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.

vodka distillery copper column stills

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.

More from Club Oenologique

Club O is an exclusive community and the go-to platform for wine and spirit lovers. Our flagship Club Oenologique magazine offers 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 our Explained series, for instance, where we’re tackling grape varieties, regions and styles of wine and spirits. Alternatively, visit our Ask the Sommelier section, where experts answer your wine-related questions.