The mouth-feel is buttery and with sweetness and mild spice and a solid crisp mineral taste that is the result of the water source used in production. Stoli is probably not the best option for sipping straight (unless you chill it), but it’s excellent in a screwdriver or Bloody Mary. Vodka can be found at all kinds of important events like weddings, births, and funerals, and it has certainly played an important role in the history of Russia. But by that time, such a move spelled economic disaster. But through it all, vodka remains a national icon and beloved spirit in Russia! Cover with a dish cloth if you like. But this is only one delicacy that is paired with vodka in Russia. We have developed a list just for you by conducting hours of online research, checking in with trusted mixologists, industry experts, and vodka lovers worldwide. Stolichnaya is among the most popular vodkas in the world, and is often at the top in terms of bottles sold every year. The water source adds a hefty mineral taste as well. The Ultra Black rounds out our list in part because it’s more expensive than its cousin, and it is, for the most part, pretty similar. At least in the west. Ultra Black features some spicy bite on the palate, a silky smooth texture, and a strong mineral finish. Today there are dozens of Russian vodkas on the market, many of them just becoming available in countries outside the traditional vodka drinking nations — often called the “vodka belt.”. The flavor palate is malty, with a good sweetness. This vodka is excellent for sipping or for mixing. The origin story of vodka is like something out of a Russian novel — it is filled with mystery, passion, and accusations. Our next vodka is an excellent grain-based vodka that is filtered and distilled at a high … By the time the Soviet Union came to an end, revenue from vodka sales and taxation was yet again at one third the national budget. This grain-based vodka is distilled five times and then filtered using traditional Russian methods, including sand, paper, and charcoal at the Chernogolovka distillery northeast of Moscow. The texture is typical of a good Russian vodka, which means it’s a bit oily with a good sturdy body. Vegetables of all sorts are often served alongside vodka. The last couple of decades have seen a turn to producing high-end spirits, at a high-end price. “Bread wine” was one of the original names given to vodka in Russia because it was traditionally meant to be consumed with bread. Our second vodka on our ranking can also be ranged in the ultra-premium category. And of course, we did a little taste-testing ourselves! And the price is so good, why wouldn’t you have a bottle of this on your shelf? In fact many consumers and mixologists have raised the significant question of whether or not a high-end vodka is really that much better than a mid-level or even cheap bottle. The aromas include hints of lemon and eucalyptus. This is definitely a robust Russian vodka! On the eve of the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the emperor was seeking to impose a prohibition on alcohol consumption. According to another disputed story, Dmitri Mendeleev — yes, the guy that developed the periodic table — is credited with crafting the first “modern” vodka recipe. This is an outstanding vodka for sipping straight or using in a variety of cocktails! But what is the best Russian vodka? For instance, Russian and Polish vodkas tend to be heavier and more mineral, while vodkas produced in Sweden or other Scandinavian countries tend to be fruitier. These monks found an early patron and financial backer in Tsar Ivan III, who instituted a government monopoly on the spirit. Ivan enforced a state monopoly on production and opened state-owned taverns where men could drink on credit. On this tack, one will often hear a name like Beluga vodka. You might also want to try vodkas from non-traditional vodka producers like France, Holland, or the United States. . The relationship between politics and vodka in Russia has been complicated ever since! In more recent times, vodka has been associated above all with caviar, those wonderfully salty fish eggs that usually come from sturgeon and are generally served on small pieces of bread. Nemiroff is not from Russia, it’s from Ukraine. And Green Mark offers a good viscous finish with a little heat at the back of the throat. Though this spirit would be great in any number of mixed drinks, it especially shines in a martini, letting you know that you are drinking a Russian vodka! That’s when refining techniques improved the spirit’s overall quality, intensified its alcohol content, and led to the need to moderate the volume of consumption. . Our ranking is the result of considerable research and is based on the following criteria: With these and other factors in mind, we ranked Stolichnaya Elit as the best Russian vodka. Ah, a classic. Why ask such a question?! So, we cheated. This is one of the good, cheap vodkas that you will find in many Russian homes, which speaks to its quality and popularity. And more than likely, it was originally used for medicinal purposes. Tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and apples can often be found pickled or served fresh with a bit of salt on them. albeit at breakfast. Hailing from area just outside Moscow, this vodka is really, really smooth. The taste gives some sweetness, with a fine mineral water finish that is smooth but very flavorful. But there are a lot of close contenders, so be sure to check out the full list above. Mendeleev was commissioned by the government to develop the recipe because much of the vodka in Russia at the time was of really poor quality. Let the vodka sit at least one week then strain the vodka through cheesecloth and enjoy.