18 Best Luxury Vodkas For Sipping And Shaking

Pronounced 'tenth muse', this Scottish spirit — made from barley — is designed for sipping. Testers found it reminded them of grappa (the Italian, grape-based beverage you might have tried on holiday) — with an impressive depth of flavour and light sweetness that lingers.

Polish vodka is revered around the world, and Belvedere is our go-to brand. The brand skips the filtration step altogether, which allows the subtle rye flavour to shine through.

You’re left with a spirit with a botanical edge — slightly sweet and floral — with a hint of minerality and citrus that scored well with our panel.

To understand Ciroc’s appeal, first you need a bit of background. The unique spirit is made from frozen French grapes, which explains the prominent sweetness in each sip. Juicy and refreshing lemon provides balance, making this the ultimate choice for a classic vodka martini.

It would be easy to presume this crystal, head-shaped bottle was nothing more than a gimmick — but having put it to our panel, we can confirm the diamond-filtered liquid is the real deal. Punchy and fresh, it’s so easy to drink, with a touch of minerality and a warm mouthfeel.

We love it when the underdog beats the big brands, and this small South African spirit seriously impressed our panel. Unlike others, it’s made with sugarcane, and has a bright citrus note, with a tickle of black pepper.

In addition, a percentage of profits goes towards supporting urban farming, so you can feel extra smug while making that espresso martini.

If you’re going to go for Absolut, you should make it Elyx — the brand’s most premium bottle in the range. The Swedish spirit is made with wheat and opens with a bright citrus nose.

On the palate a sweet start is followed up with peppery heat and a touch of malt. To get the most out of it, try pouring over a large ice cube, swirl and sip.

A whopping 3kg of British potatoes go into each and every bottle of Portobello Road’s vodka, which is made at the brand’s Notting Hill distillery. It reminded testers of the brand’s gin, with a floral-led juniper note, lemon peel and black pepper.

Deliciously clean and light, Grey Goose is a smart choice for cocktails. The more neutral profile means it’s an excellent base for additional ingredients. The fresh nose develops into a soft, sweet profile, with well-balanced alcohol, allowing it to slip seamlessly into a variety of serves.

Looking for a vodka-based gift? We think this Grey Goose Gift Tin is just the thing...

We wouldn’t suggest pouring it over your cereal, but Black Cow’s innovative vodka is indeed made from milk. The eco-friendly choice minimises waste by taking the by-product whey left over from the brand’s cheese production. The result is fresh and peppery — with just a hint of leather and lemon — and a warm, spicy finish.

More commonly associated with top-notch Japanese whisky, Nikka also makes luxury vodka. Applying the same approach, the blend of corn and barley is made using a traditional 'coffey' still, before being filtered through charcoal.

Characterised by a super smooth mouthfeel, testers found it rich and creamy with complex notes of apple, toffee and banana.

Created with locally grown British potatoes, Edwards’ classic vodka perfectly epitomises the English countryside. The panel raved about the unique and expressive nose — think red apple, strawberry and vanilla — and thought the fresh and lively palate would lend itself well to citrussy cocktails.

Sapling makes eco-friendly living oh-so-easy with its climate positive vodka. On each bottle you’ll find a code which tells you more about the tree you helped to plant, simply by buying a bottle.

Taste-wise, this smooth, aromatic British vodka has a light floral element, underscored with fresh lemon oil. Testers thought it would work well with elderflower tonic and a sprig of mint.

Produced and bottled on the Silent Pool distillery in the Surrey Hills, unlike some other British vodkas on test, it’s made from rye, not potatoes. That translates into a super smooth spirit, with well-integrated alcohol and a nutty, raw almond aspect that testers felt would work hard on your bar cart.

58 & Co (previously 58 Gin), has had a name change as they expand their spirit portfolio. The original vodka, made using 100% British wheat, displays the classic notes of lemon and pepper, along with a memorable light, creamy finish. White Russian anyone?

Boatyard is another brand that forgoes filtration to allow for a more complex flavour in the glass. Sweeter notes of banana, toffee and vanilla come to the fore, so we’d suggest trying this one in a fruity punch. Smooth and creamy, it’s incredibly unique and well worth a try if you’re looking for a characterful vodka.

Created by Kyiv-born Dima, £5 from every sale of this bottle goes directly to providing aid in Ukraine. Deliciously bitter, it’s ideal in a vodka negroni, with a creamy mouthfeel and smooth as silk finish.

For something a little different, Dima recommends creating a martini with vermouth and pickle juice — sounds perfect for entertaining if you ask us.

Polish vodka by a brand that blends fine rye and wheat spirits with small quantities of aged pot-still apple and plum spirits. It's delicious, crisp and smooth, from a brand that draws on deep a Polish heritage that involves celebrating tasting notes of vodka spirits, rather than filtering them out.