Vodka must be on top of your list when considering the best drinks to sample in 2023. Invented in Russia, the Polish refined it, and soon, it spread to the rest of the world. With a reputation of being crisp and smooth, vodka is a versatile spirit you can take on its own or mix it in cocktails. Vodka is also ideal for mixing because, unlike other spirits like gin or whiskey, its profile lets other flavors shine, adding a kick without overwhelming the flavor notes of a cocktail. The US scene has multiple vodka distilleries, and you might need clarification about the best vodka brands to choose when you want to sample the drink. This guide explores the best vodka brands you can taste if you have a distillery tour.

1. Tito’s Handmade Vodka 

The promotion story of Tito’s Handmade Vodka ties to Burt Butler Beverage II, a Texan geologist. He created the spirit using corn sourced from the American Midwest. The vodka uses corn and water for its handcrafted miniature batch bottles. Tito’s pot distillation process requires more skill in producing high-quality handcrafted vodka.

Manufacturing the product involves 6 phases: milling, fermenting, refining, sieving, and bottling. Once the distillation process is over, the product is sieved via charcoal and diluted to minimize liquor content.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka delivers a smooth, spicy mouthfeel. Its aroma is spicy with some sweet-corn scent. 

2. Spring 44

Spring 44 is a unique, creamy vodka made from grain and Colorado spring water. The rocky location of Rocky Mountain and the beautiful spring waters inspired two brothers to form the distillery. The company mixes the spring water from the mountain and corn when making handmade vodka.

The vodka is collected in miniature batches using traditional distillery and sieved via patented wood coal and silicate grains. And the outcome of this procedure is a clear and smooth whiskey with some sugary flavor.

You can drink this vodka chilled or combine it into cocktails. Also, the drink is a great ingredient for cooking various cuisines.

3. Hangar 1 Vodka 

Hangar 1 vodka delights fans who enjoy a drink made from local fruits and grains. Originating from Alameda, California, the spirit comes from a combination of grapes and grains. The two ingredients are distilled via column and pot stills, producing a smooth, charming flavor. You can drink it neat or use it for multiple cocktails. Trendy cocktails from this vodka include martini and vodka tonic.

The floral and fruity notes are ideal for individuals who want to try something different from the harsher vodkas available in the American market.

4. Boyd & Blair Vodka

Boyd & Blair Vodka is made in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, using locally sourced potatoes. Consider potato vodka for straight sipping, dry martinis, or any spirit vodka cocktail. The ingredients are prepared via a traditional pot distillery, resulting in a drink with various flavors.

As a handcrafted product, Boyd & Bair features unique tastes, including blueberry, ginger, and lavender. You can enjoy the vodka as a neat drink or as a base for cocktails.

5. Cathead Vodka

Cathead Vodka is one of the best vodka brands and a product of Mississippi, made from corn and a mixture of various grains. The ingredients are then mixed in specific proportions and processed through columns and pot stills. 

Cathead has a smooth, soft taste with vanilla and sugary notes. Savor it as a neat drink or mix it with other beverages. Also, you can use it in multiple cocktails like Vodka tonic and Cosmopolitan.

6. Square One Organic Vodka

The primary ingredient for making Square One Organic Vodka is organic rye sourced from North Dakota. It’s a product of Square One Brewery and Distillery, a craft distillery based in Missoula, Montana. The vodka is prepared via distillation and purified through coconut shell carbon. The result is a product with a semi-sweet, crisp, and clean flavor. If you’re looking for a do-it-all vodka brand that will never let you down, this bottle can’t be beat.

7. Cirrus Vodka

Cirrus is crisp, gluten-free, artisanal vodka made from potato. It’s manufactured by the Parched Group, a company based in Richmond, Virginia. Besides potatoes as a primary ingredient, the company uses pure water from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Using traditional and modern methods helps produce a product with a crisp and unmistakable taste. You can take the vodka as a neat drink or combine it into cocktails.

8. Prairie Vodka

If you want a brand that cares about sustainability, then Prairie is your choice. Prairie Vodka is made by Prairie Organic Spirits, located in Princeton, Minnesota. Its primary ingredient is organic corn grown in the Midwest. The company makes this spirit via a continuous distillation procedure. 

As for the flavor, the Prairie vodka is amazingly clean, smooth, and crystal clear. These attributes make it an ideal addition to cocktails, where vodka is a prominent component.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What’s the taste of vodka?

Although vodka is known for its neutral taste, the drink has multiple other flavors depending on the brand and the ingredients used. Also, the type of water used during the distillation procedure impacts the taste. For example, rye vodka features spicy flavors. You can experience various notes, including grass, lime, vanilla, etc.

2. Which drinks can I take vodka with?

Vodka is a versatile product that blends well with various drinks. You can take it with any of your favorite beverages, such as cola, juice, or wine. Also, you have the option of savoring the drink on its own.

3. Why do many people love vodka?

Vodka is a popular drink due to its versatility. Its refined flavors make it a perfect complement with other beverages, cocktails, and food. Vodka can also add alcohol content without adding or diluting other ingredient flavors.

Discover More Vodka Sampling and Tastings 

Vodka is a popular beverage that many enjoy as a neat drink or a mixture of other drinks. There are also multiple cocktails you can prepare using vodka as a base, so there’s plenty of flavor variation in a bottle of vodka. Just remember to apply it correctly when choosing your best vodka brands and tastes. 

Want more vodka sippin’? Visit our home page to discover more rich tastings and distillery tours near you and across the US.