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Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The World's Best Vodka, According To The 2025 SF World Spirits Competition
The Vodka finalists at the 2025 SFWSC. Notwithstanding the growth of tequila and bourbon over the last decade, vodka remains the largest spirits category by volume and still ranks among the top three for revenue. It is also one of the biggest categories at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which draws some of the world's best vodkas each year. Seven vodkas are finalists at the SFWSC: five for World's Best Vodka and two for World's Best Flavored Vodka. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes for the finalists. Kalvelage Distillery, located in Santa Catarina, Brazil, is among the leading vodka brands in the country. Kalvelage Vibe Vodka is made from 100% Brazilian cereals. Its exceptional smoothness makes it perfect for enjoying straight or as a base for a cocktail. The vodka presents a clean and fresh aroma, featuring a hint of minerality and subtle sweet grain undertones. It's smooth and silky on the palate, with well-integrated alcohol and a gentle yet persistent sweetness. The finish is long and crisp, leaving a lingering sweetness. Although better known for its exceptional whiskeys, High Bank Distillery Co., located in Columbus, Ohio, produces vodka distilled from organic wheat and Ohio-grown apples. This vodka has been a frequent medalist at international spirit competitions and has won several Double Gold medals at the SFWSC. The vodka presents a clean and fresh aroma with a hint of apple sweetness. It is crisp and smooth on the palate, exhibiting a silky texture and featuring subtle notes of apple and vanilla. The finish is refreshing, with a lingering sweetness. Produced by Prodal in Romania, Stalinskaya Vodka is known for its strength and smoothness. The term in Russian means 'Man of Steel." Joseph Stalin adopted the name as his pseudonym in 1912. Otherwise, there is no association between him and the vodka. The vodka undergoes triple distillation and is filtered through coconut shell activated charcoal. The vodka presents buttery notes on the nose, highlighting sweet cream, citrus, croissant, and candied nut aromas. The palate is smooth and robust, offering hints of waxy honeycomb and black pepper. The finish is long and bold, with lingering notes of pepper. Sobieski Vodka is produced in Poland using 100% rye and pure spring water. Named after King Jan III Sobieski, it reflects the traditions of Polish vodka-making. Sobieski commanded the Christian army that lifted the Second Ottoman siege of Vienna in 1683. He led the largest cavalry charge ever recorded, breaking the Ottoman line and securing victory. The vodka boasts an intense flavor profile with pronounced spicy and rye bread aromas. It's dry on the palate, complemented by flavors of toasted rye bread and spicy rye. The finish is long and flavorful, leaving lingering notes of spice and rye bread. It's excellent served straight and will also shine in spicy cocktails, such as a Bloody Mary. Summum Vodka is made in Cognac, France, with local wheat and spring water. It is filtered multiple times through different materials to guarantee its smoothness. The vodka is light and slightly floral on the nose, with hints of coconut and wheat bread. The palate offers nuanced flavors of fresh coconut, wheat bread, and an earthy truffle note with a touch of pepper. The finish is long and smooth, featuring a subtle lingering coconut note. The Flavored Vodka finalists from the 2025 SFWSC This flavored vodka blends Sobieski's classic rye vodka with natural grapefruit flavors, resulting in a refreshing, spicy citrus combination. The vodka is fresh and citrusy, evoking ripe grapefruit with subtle rye spices in the background. It's tangy and slightly bitter on the palate, offering a pronounced citrus and grapefruit flavor. The finish is clean and crisp. Tin City Distillery, in Paso Robles, California, infuses its vodka with real chocolate. The result is the ultimate dessert vodka. The vodka features dark chocolate and vanilla aromas on the nose. It is creamy and silky on the palate, seamlessly blending the chocolate and the vodka. The finish is long and smooth, with a lingering sweet chocolate note. These vodkas, sourced from around the world and crafted from diverse mash bills, are truly exceptional. They present a complex yet subtle flavor profile that faithfully showcases the raw materials, from rye to apples, from which they are crafted. They are excellent served neat and also work well in a range of cocktails.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Best American Blended Whiskey From The SF World Spirits Competition
The American Blended Whiskey finalists from the 2025 SFWSC. Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition American blended whiskey is among the fastest-growing segments of the American whiskey market. Five whiskeys, highlighting a remarkable diversity in aroma and flavor profiles, are finalists for Best Blended Whiskey at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Below are brief overviews and tasting notes for the five finalists. Crafted by High Bank Distillery in Columbus, Ohio, Whiskey War is a rye-heavy blend of straight whiskeys aged for a minimum of five years. Master Distiller Adam Hines carefully selected over 100 mash bills from nearly 50 distilleries to create this expression, aiming, according to the company, 'for availability, affordability, and exceptional flavor.' The nose is fruity and aromatic, showcasing fresh orange zest, overripe apple, clove, and allspice. The palate hints at apple cider vinegar, vanilla, musk, ripe apple, spiced chutney, tropical notes of mango and melon, and dried herbs. The finish is long, with persistent fruit notes, vanilla, and caramel. This Whiskey War cask strength version is bottled at approximately 59% ABV/118 proof and features the rye-heavy mash bill. It has earned numerous accolades, including "Best Blended Whiskey in America" at the 2021, 2022, and 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The nose presents a vibrant blend of orchard, stone, and tropical fruits, accompanied by hints of vanilla, light brown sugar, and caramel. On the palate, ripe apple is enriched by a combination of rye spices—cinnamon and clove—as well as vanilla, subtle butterscotch, and peppercorn. The finish is lengthy and dry, showcasing lingering notes of aged leather, cinnamon spice, and dried fruits. Homemade Whiskey Sour Cocktail Drink with a Cherry Lemon getty Produced by Longleaf Distilling Co. in Macon, Georgia, Heirloom American Whiskey seeks to revive the traditional Georgia whiskey style. This style emphasizes the use of locally sourced heirloom grains, pot still distillation, and maturation in a mix of newly charred and reused oak barrels, resulting in a grain-forward whiskey with a malty sweetness. This whisky is crafted from a bourbon mash with a touch of rye, aged for 3 to 6 years in both new and used American oak barrels. The nose is floral and aromatic, highlighting notes of honeysuckle, cinnamon, vanilla, and fig. The palate reveals flavors of ripe quince, earthy Manuka honey, and black pepper. The finish is long and slightly herbal, with hints of walnut and rooibos tea. This limited-release expression from Longleaf Distilling Co. is a cask strength version of their Heirloom American Whiskey, finished in Madeira casks. It showcases a richer profile that reflects Georgia's distilling traditions. The whiskey exudes a rich and sweet aroma, with notes of dried fruits, subtle cooked cereal, and spices. On the palate, it is flavorful and full-bodied, showcasing flavors of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of Madeira wine influence. The finish is long and sweet, featuring lingering notes of dried fruit, digestive biscuits, and seasoned oak. This whisky pays tribute to the rich heritage of the Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. Founded in 1870 by Captain Samuel "Burk" Burnett, the ranch spans over 260,000 acres. The whiskey was crafted for and by the ranch hands who embody the rugged spirit of the American West. The nose showcases aromas of caramel, vanilla, aged leather, cold smoke, and spice. The palate is sweet, smooth, and creamy, highlighting additional notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of toasted oak and spice. The SFWSC is one of the most respected and influential spirits competitions in the world. Founded in 2000, it assembles a panel of experienced industry experts to conduct blind tastings in various spirit categories. Awards from the SFWSC are highly sought after, often acting as a benchmark for quality and craftsmanship in the global spirits industry. The 2025 SFWSC American Blended Whiskey finalists represent the full range of contemporary blended whiskey, from bold heavyweights to refined, elegant pours, highlighting the effects of diverse mash bills, innovative blending, and maturation strategies. Together, they demonstrate the remarkable breadth and creativity of American blended whiskey. If you're looking to expand your whiskey horizons, these five standout selections are a must.
