About Unflavored Vodka

About Unflavored Vodka
Unflavored vodka is defined in the US as a "neutral" spirit devoid of color, aroma, and taste, however, the finest unflavored vodkas are served neat and do have a subtle taste, sometimes of the base grain or ingredient, citrus or even anise. But most vodkas are used for cocktails, often mixed with fruit juice (cranberry juice for Cosmopolitans or orange juice for Screwdrivers.), tonic, or soda for the ubiquitous bar-hopper favorite Vodka & Soda. To which craft bartenders these days like to say, "vodka pays the bills."

Unflavored vodka is made by fermenting and then distilling the simple sugars from a mash of pale grain or vegetal matter. Vodka is produced from grain, potatoes, molasses, beets, and a variety of other plants. Rye and wheat are the classic grains for Vodka, with most of the best Russian Vodkas being made from wheat while in Poland they are mostly made from a rye mash. Swedish and Baltic distillers are partial to wheat mashes. Potatoes are looked down on by Russian distillers, but are held in high esteem by some of their Polish counterparts. Molasses, a sticky, sweet residue from sugar production, is widely used for inexpensive, mass-produced brands of Vodka. American distillers use the full range of base ingredients, but most are made from the abundant supply of corn from the US heartland.

Top Picks for Unflavored Vodka

elit Vodka
97 points
$39
Hard pressed to find a Vodka that is cleaner and more neutral in flavor and aroma as well as free of any distillation flaws or alcohol burn.
Jean-Marc XO Vodka
97 points
$59
This incredible Vodka has a lot going on with a delectable nose and a nice creamy mouth feel that gives way to a lightly fruity aftertaste.
Nykur Limited Edition Super Premium Organic Jaeger Corps Vodka
96 points
$60
Beautiful, elegant, and clean with just a hint of baked bread sweetness.
Nykur Limited Edition Super Premium Organic Jaegerkorpset Vodka
96 points
$60
Almost complete nothingness with a rounded texture and just a whisper of something pleasing that brings you back for another sip.
Stolichnaya Gold Vodka
96 points
$34
About as neutral as it can be, with tight clean cuts so the spirit has very little alcohol burn; like drinking the clean air of the Alps above the tree line.
High Ground Vodka
94 points
$29.99
An excellent sipping Vodka with a creamy texture and engaging nuances of fruit and spice.
94 points $29.99
Absolut Original Vodka
94 points
$19
Best Buy
Exceedingly light and clean, this Vodka holds the alcohol very well and leaves just a delicate impression of toasted grain on the finish.
94 points $19 Best Buy
Barley Creek Brewery & Distillery 11:01 Vodka
94 points
$24
Best Buy
Simple, clean, with very mild flavors of grain, this Vodka would be nice in a Cosmo.
94 points $24 Best Buy
Volcanic Vodka
94 points
$24
Best Buy
Light, clean, and refreshing with a touch of minerality and fruity esters, this is a delicious, bright Vodka.
94 points $24 Best Buy
Tom’s Town Vodka
94 points
$27
A touch funky and earthy but in a very pleasant way that will add depth and umami to your cocktail.