10 Best Russian Vodka Brands Ranked (2023 Updated)
Last Updated on April 7, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Russians take their vodka seriously as it is a staple of Russian culture, celebration, and pride.
However, with all the Russian vodka brands in the market today, which bottles are worth trying?
Good thing we compiled a list of the best Russian vodka bottles you should take advantage of. Keep reading.
Top 10 Russian Vodkas To Try
10. Russian Standard Imperia
Average Price: Roughly $33.67 per 750 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Russian Standard Imperia Vodka is one of the best Russian vodka to try.
Russian standard Imperia is a premium vodka made using the most advanced distillation process and quartz crystal filtration.
Russian Standard Vodka boasts a clean and pure taste with a light and elegant aroma and body.
The high-quality vodka can be enjoyed by sipping neat or mixed-in cocktails because of the perfect balance of its tasting notes.
9. Zyr Vodka
Average Price: Roughly $29.99 per 750 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Zyr Vodka is one of the top Russian vodka brands with a smooth and inviting taste.
The Russian vodka is made from wheat and rye (premium Russian ingredients) that undergoes five rounds of the distillation process.
The final product is a bit sweet and has rich flavor notes of orange peel, white pepper, vanilla, wheat, and rye.
We enjoyed the neat vodka; it is one of the best creamy, smooth, and spotless vodkas we have ever had.
8. Mamont Siberian Vodka
Average Price: Roughly $32.99 per 750 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Mamont Siberian Vodka caught our attention because of its mammoth tusk-shaped vessel that you will not find in other vodka brands.
Aside from its outstanding and unique bottle design, we were amazed at its elegant tasting notes.
The vodka is made from the finest white winter wheat, six times distilled for purity and crispiness.
Mamont Siberian vodka can be enjoyed neat because of its sweetness and dry finish, but we enjoyed it more with an ice cube.
Also, you can mix it in a cocktail drink because it offers a complex flavor profile.
7. Jewel of Russia Classic Wheat & Rye Vodka
Average Price: Roughly $42.39 per 1000 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Jewel of Russia vodka may not have a high price tag, unlike its other flavored options, but the classic vodka is a superior product you can enjoy because of its excellent taste.
Unlike other vodkas, Jewel of Russia is meticulously crafted using a traditional process which results in gentle fruitiness and creamy texture.
The aroma and palate profile of Jewel of Russia is on point, and there are no off notes like rubbing alcohol aroma.
The spirit holds bold black pepper notes as it goes down and finishes with vanilla, wheat, and citrus notes.
6. Smirnoff Vodka
Average Price: Roughly $18.99 per 1000 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Russia produces premium quality vodka, and one of the best Russian vodka brands with excellent value for money is Smirnoff Vodka.
It tastes excellent and tempting in Moscow Mules because the spirit has remarkable smoothness and a rich black pepper, vanilla, and citrus flavor profile.
5. Husky Vodka
Average Price: Roughly $21.99 per 750 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Husky vodka is an unassuming and clean vodka from Siberia and is one of the best vodkas with a mid-range price point and great mixability.
The dog breed and vodka show off the traits of ice-cold temperatures.
The grains used to make Husky vodka are locally grown in Siberia, and it is distilled five times and then filtered to remove the impurities from the final product.
4. Polugar Classic Rye Vodka
Average Price: Roughly $64.19 per 750 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 38.5%
Why We Like It: If you want to stick to the traditional and classic Russian brand, you can find vodka like Polugar Classic appealing and enjoyable to consume.
“To know what vodka’s ancestors taste like, try this rare product, [Polugar Classic Vodka”
– Slava Borisov, Head Bartender in Chicago
The rye undergoes triple distillation and two filtration steps using egg whites and charcoal. Aside from its strong rye flavor, we were overwhelmed by its wild herbs and smoothness.
Russians call the spirit “bread wine” because it smells and tastes like rye bread.
3. Russian Standard Platinum
Average Price: Roughly $26.87 per 750 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Russian Standard Platinum is one of the most awarded vodkas from Black Steppes winter wheat and Lake Ladoga water.
After multiple distillations, charcoal filters it four times to strip off impurities and craft a clean, crisp, smooth vodka.
The vodka brand drinks nicely without ice, but you can enjoy the spirit in a classic cocktail because it blends seamlessly.
2. Stolichnaya
Average Price: Roughly $27.99 per 1000 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Stoli is a vodka brand from Russia that is widely recognized in different parts of the world because it sips well neat and mixes beautifully in a cocktail drink.
Stoli is made from Russian wheat and rye and boasts a smooth, clean flavor profile with distinct notes of citrus at the end.
Every bottle from the brand is filled with a medium-bodied palate with talc, pastry frosting, citrus, and a well-balanced pepper fade.
Unlike other vodkas, thanks to their smoothness, you can drink Stoli without harshness.
1. Beluga Noble Russian Vodka
Average Price: Roughly $31.49 per 750 ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Beluga Noble is a luxurious vodka from Russia, and the Russian spirit was first introduced in 2002 (while the Mariinsk Distillery has been around ever since 1900 [1]).
Beluga is an award-winning liquor, thanks to its unique production process (distilled malt spirit) and flavor profile.
You can drink Beluga the way you like, but we recommend you try it on the rocks because the palate profile is sophisticated yet intense on the palate.
FAQs
Is vodka popular in Russia?
Yes, vodka is popular in Russia because it has historical ties [2]. Vodka is a Russian national symbol, and it is featured prominently in political, social, and militaristic events.
Is Russian vodka strong?
Yes, Russian vodka is strong. The average ABV of Russian vodkas is around 40% which is enough to get you drunk, especially when consumed faster.
Final Say
In Russian culture, vodka is present in any event.
What makes Russian brands better is they use old-fashioned production processes and rich ingredients that improve the quality of the spirit.
Stolichnaya, Russian Standard, Polugar Classic, and Husky are great bottles with complex yet rich tasting notes.
However, if you want the best vodka, a bottle of Beluga Noble gets the upper hand for its premium quality, price point, versatility, and tasting notes.
References:
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10619457/Harrods-selling-90-Beluga-vodka-bottles-counter.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/12/for-vodka-trouble-in-america-started-before-russia-invaded-ukraine.html
