White liquor, also called clear or white spirits, comes in many styles and characters. From the alluring purity of vodkas to the captivating botanicals of gins, and the pristine charm of white rums and tequilas, our expertise guides you to the most exceptional choices.
In this article, we will explore the best white liquor bottles available, meticulously chosen based on our rigorous criteria: taste, profile, and value for the price.
Keep reading to know more.
Top 10 Best White Liquors You Should Try
10. Bacardi – Rum Silver Light (Superior)
Average Price: Around $15 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Aromas of vanilla, sugarcane juice, and subtle oak
Palate: Light-bodied, with tropical fruit, vanilla, and oak
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Why We Like It: Bacardi Superior is one of the most popular white rum brands in the market, if not the world.
“Discover the finest white liquor for an exquisite sipping experience.” – Liquor Laboratory
Like wine or añejo blanco, this white rum is great whether it is enjoyed neat or incorporated into popular cocktails, [1] like a piña colada.
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9. Patrón Silver – Tequila
Average Price: Around $50 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Citrus and fruity aromas
Palate: Fresh agave with a hint of citrus
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Why We Like It: Patrón Silver has a lush mouthfeel, making it an ideal choice for sipping neat or over ice. Additionally, the versatility of the clear spirit shines beautifully in cocktails.
8. Ketel One – Vodka
Average Price: Around $25 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Honey and lemon
Palate: Sugar and lime
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Why We Like It: Ketel One Vodka has a velvety finish that sets it apart from other white liquor. This makes perfect sense, seeing as how it ranked on top in the Drinks International 2023 event.
7. SKYY – Vodka
Average Price: Around $20 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Subtle salinity and minerality to the nose, like ocean water
Palate: Light and fresh with a hint of stone fruit and lime
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Why We Like It: SKYY has a distinctly saline quality to it, which makes total sense with the fact that it was inspired by the San Francisco coastline. We find that it’s perfect for martinis. [2]
6. Smirnoff – Vodka
Average Price: Around $20 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Slightly sweet
Palate: Remarkably pure and velvety
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Why We Like It: Smirnoff is remarkably clean and pure, mainly due to its triple distillation and ten times filtration process. It’s also a great choice for those who want to drink milder vodka.
5. Svedka – Vodka
Average Price: Around $20 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Light citrus and sugar
Palate: Bread dough, vanilla, and pepper
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Why We Like It: Svedka Vodka has a subtle sweetness, making it perfect for sipping and mixing in various cocktail recipes.
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4. Tanqueray – London Dry Gin
Average Price: Around $30 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 47.3% ABV
Nose: Heavy botanical aroma
Palate: Sophisticated and well-rounded
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Why We Like It: Tanqueray London Dry is a perfectly balanced spirit with a sophisticated and well-rounded palate. It is also the bartender’s choice bottle for the perfect G&T.
3. Titos – Handmade Vodka
Average Price: Around $30 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Creamed corn
Palate: Vanilla and creamed corn
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Why We Like It: While most distilleries would use grains for their vodka, Tito’s Handmade Vodka has a distinct earthy smoothness from the corn blend. It’s perfect for savory cocktails, like the Bloody Mary.
2. Buffalo Trace White Dog
Average Price: Around $20 (375ml)
Alcohol Content: 62.5% ABV
Nose: Sweet and slightly burnt
Palate: Bread dough, popcorn, vanilla, toasted, brown sugar, apples, and hints of tropical fruit
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Why We Like It: White Dog is geared towards those with a sweeter palate, whether on its own or with cocktails.
Fun Fact: Did you know that White Dog is the raw distillate? After it is aged inside oak casks, it is bottled and sold into the world-famous Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. But is there such a thing as clear whiskey?
“Delightful white spirits, a smooth journey for the senses.” – Liquor Laboratory
1. Bombay Sapphire
Average Price: Around $37 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 47% ABV
Nose: Ripe citrus, sugar, and a touch of juniper
Palate: Citrus, nutty oils, and rich spices
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Why We Like It: The best thing about Bombay Sapphire is the vapor infusion method they use to season the liquor. As a result, it is velvety and complex, with nutty, spicy, and aromatic tastes from botanicals sourced all around the globe. This is our favorite drink in the white liquor market today.
Note: Average prices are based on Drizly and the official product websites. The star rating was determined based on a blind test, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Each product was evaluated on its overall quality, flavor profile, complexity, smoothness, and overall enjoyment.
Our Criteria In Choosing The Best White Liquors
Flavor Profile
We carefully assess the flavors of each white spirit. We want something fresh and delightful, with a well-balanced blend of notes that excite the palate.
Smoothness
Smoothness is another crucial factor we consider. Like wine and cognac bottles, each spirit must have a velvety and enjoyable drinking experience.
Price & Value
Price and overall value is another factor in our choice. While we understand that you sometimes have to pay a premium price to enjoy good quality liquor, this doesn’t have to be an absolute rule, and that you can get a good bottle without breaking the bank.
FAQs
What’s the best white liquor for mixed drinks?
The top white liquor for cocktail drinks is one you enjoy neat. A solid rule we live by is: if you enjoy drinking the spirit neat, you will definitely enjoy it in a cocktail.
What’s the best white liquor for shots?
The top white liquor for shots is one that is exceptionally velvety. If you want to enjoy shots, you must avoid spirits with a palpable burn because the shot experience will be slightly painful.
What’s the strongest white liquor?
The strongest white liquor from the above spirits is the White Dog, with an ABV of 62.5%.
What are some examples of White Liquor?
Common examples of white liquor include vodka, gin, white rum, tequila blanco (silver or white tequila), and white whiskey (unaged whiskey or moonshine).
What factors should I consider when choosing the best White Liquor?
When selecting the best white liquor, consider factors such as personal taste preferences, intended use (neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails), quality, price point, and desired flavor profile.
How does Gin differ from other White Liquors?
Gin is distinguished by its predominant flavoring of juniper berries and other botanicals, imparting a distinctive herbal and aromatic profile. It is a key ingredient in classic cocktails such as the Martini and Gin and Tonic.
What makes Tequila Blanco unique among White Liquors?
Tequila blanco, also known as silver or white tequila, is unaged or minimally aged tequila that retains the pure flavor of the agave plant. It is often preferred for its crisp and earthy characteristics in cocktails like the Margarita.
Are there any emerging White Liquors worth exploring?
With the rise of craft distilleries, there are emerging white liquors such as white rum variations, artisanal vodkas infused with botanicals or fruits, and innovative takes on white whiskey, offering diverse flavor profiles and experiences.
Key Takeaways
Our top picks provide diverse profiles, smoothness, and their own unique qualities. Notable standouts include Tanqueray Gins, with its distinctive botanical blend, and Buffalo Trace White Dog, for its rich and velvety mash.
Bombay Sapphire impressed us the most with its unique vapor-infusion process. This allows their carefully-selected botanicals to have a subtle fragrance and blend, perfect for those seeking a delightful yet complex white liquor experience.
References:
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-ever-rum-cocktail-recipes
- https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/recipes/a3667/martini-drink-recipe/
