The 7 Trending Vodkas You Need To Try

Beginning in Russia and Eastern Europe, you can now find vodka from almost everywhere. The quality has never been higher, but is there anything more disappointing than trying a bottle on the back of big hype, pouring it over ice, and discovering unpleasant burn or zero character? We’ve gone through the most talked about vodkas out there right now to see what all the fuss is about…

Rachmainoff Vodka

There’s no doubting the reason this vodka is on everyone’s lips… literally. Named after a famous Russian composer, this German vodka hits all the right notes. The standout factor here is the mind-boggling value for money. You’ll find it on the shelves at Lidl for just over £10! For that price tag, it has a really clean feel, good smoothness and softness, and a warm dryness to the finish, earning it impressive awards at competitions. Don’t get us wrong, it isn’t an incredible premium vodka, but when it comes to value, it’s unstoppable.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £11.99

J.J Whitley Blue Raspberry Vodka

J.J Whitley have a number of intriguing flavoured vodkas, such as Toffee Popcorn, Strawberry Cheesecake and this, Blue Raspberry… which is getting people talking. The sweet raspberry is instantly noticeable with the fruity tang following in tow. Sure, it hasn’t got the delicate, nuanced elegance of some high end vodkas, but it’s a fantastic versatile and smooth vodka with fun, fruity flavour and no artificial sweetener.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Find here: £15 (usually more!)

SKYY Vodka

This cobalt blue bottle stands out a mile off. SKYY have been undergoing something of a rebrand over the past few years, refreshing their vodka offering. Pacific minerals from San Francisco, where the brand is founded, enrich the liquid with freshness and unique character. The mouthfeel is very light and airy with gentle pepper and sweetness. It’s solid, neutral vodka that punches above its price point.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £18 (usually more!)

Wyborowa Vodka

Ever popular, this Polish gem was first produced in 1927, and still to this day, every single drop is made there. International awards have been plentiful for almost all of that time, rising to the top of the value categories. There’s a subtle pecan flavour and sweetness thanks to Polish rye, with a velvety mouthfeel. It’s cemented its place in vodka heritage, and is great value for money around that £20 mark.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £18.06

Au Vodka

If one vodka bottle has caught your eye on the shelves, then it’s probably this. Beyond the glimmering gold bottle, this might just be the most talked about vodka in the world. With the help of TikTok fame, ‘Gold Gang’ celebrity endorsements and trendy innovations like colour changing, this vodka is very popular, particularly with younger drinkers. But what about the liquid itself? Well, that contributes towards its staying power too, as it’s 5 times distilled, charcoal filtered and finishes in a high-pressure golf filter chamber. The branding might be love or hate, but the vodka has a pleasing neutrality.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £29.95

Grey Goose Vodka

Grey Goose is one of the most well-known and popular premium vodkas available everywhere, and for good reason. French inside and out, they use winter wheat local to the distillery, before distilling in Picardy and filtering in Cognac. Even Champagne region limestone-filtered water is used. Endless purification happens before the bottle and cork are macerated in the vodka. All of this effort pays off, with gentle floral aromas, creamy flavour, and no burn whatsoever.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.88 (usually more!)

Elit Vodka

Stepping up in price, this ultra-premium Latvian vodka has been making a splash, not least of all since dominating The Beverage Testing Institute’s awards every year. Their freeze filtration is patented, which is rare amongst vodka producers. The vodka is filtered at -18 degrees Celsius, delivering what might be the smoothest vodka in the world. Aniseed and spice bring some supple flavour amongst the creamy mouthfeel. If you want to try vodka that’s guaranteed to be super smooth and a world away from cheap throatburner, this is it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £46.39

Did you know that white tea and vodka can be a really delicious mix? Perhaps try one of the above with it, or for other tea and alcohol pairings that will surprise you, go here!

Best Value Vodkas for Martinis

Nothing quite hits the spot like a frosty martini. Whether you like yours dry, wet or deliciously dirty, these great-value vodkas make a dreamy base. All come in at the sub-£30 mark, so there’s no need to save them just for special occasions. Monday night cocktails, here we come…

Sacred Organic Vodka

Made from organic wheat and rye spirits blended to elegant perfection in an ‘assemblage’ style inspired by winemaking, this London-produced vodka is creamy, smooth and dangerously drinkable. A slight bite of hazelnut, joined by gentle warmth on the finish, makes it the perfect pick for a wet martini with a simple twist of lemon (and, preferably, made with Sacred’s own English Dry Vermouth). For the ultimate serve, chill it down in the freezer before pouring.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £31.24

Cîroc

Distilled five times from a base of French grapes, Cîroc is as smooth as it gets. But unlike some vodkas, here smooth doesn’t mean lacking in character. An aromatic, fruity nose has a definite grape tone – something that becomes even more pronounced when the vodka is served up with orange bitters and a frozen grape garnish (as Cîroc’s suggests for a ‘classic twist’ martini). The refreshing, clean palate feels far more sophisticated than the typical £30 price point, too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £28.99 // US $34.99

J.J Whitley Artisanal Russian Vodka

Now here’s a martini base with pedigree as JJ Whitley has been making spirits since 1762. With a Russian wheat vodka this tasty – and silly affordable at around £16 a pop – it’s no wonder they’re still winning awards for it to this day (this particular bottling bagged IWSC Gold in 2020). A fresh nose opens up to a full-bodied, creamy and spicy palate. Chill it right down, add a splash of vermouth and you’ve got crowd-pleasing, affordable martinis for your next dinner party.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £16.05

Wry Vodka

Long-running fans of Silent Pool’s gins, we’ve now fallen for their Wry Vodka too. It’s got real local character: 100% rye grain spirit is re-distilled with rye malt, then filtered with traditionally produced hornbeam charcoal – itself made by a woodsman just over the hill from Silent Pool’s Surrey distillery. The rye certainly gives this a tad more kick, and robust character, than you get in some other vodkas; expect a peppery spice and warmth that can stand up to the flavour of wet, dirty martinis.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £24.59

Black Cow Vodka

Vodka, from milk? You heard us. This Dorset-made spirit takes whey – the by-product of milk and cheese production from local grass-fed cows – and turns it into a delectable, decadent vodka. Gorgeously creamy, and with a rich and silky mouthfeel, Black Cow really shines in the driest of martinis – just a wee twist of lemon is all you need to make it shine. Not in a martini mood? This feels made for a sublimely retro White Russian (go on, we’re not judging…).

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £24.87

Vela Vodka

Nestled beside Kent’s River Medway, family-owned distillery Copper Rivet turns out this small-batch wheat, rye and barley vodka with loving care and attention – it even declares its vintage on the label (in our case, 2016). That’s not all that makes it special, though; unusually for most distilleries in Britain, it’s distilled grain to glass. One sip into a – preferably bone-dry – martini and it’s already exceptional. Fruit and cereal show on the nose, with a bright palate that moves from fruitiness to richness, ending with a hint of pepper.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £28.50

Wildjac Fresh Citrus Vodka

We like that this vodka is kind to the planet: the 100% recycled glass bottles, FSC-certified wood stopper, and biodegradable closure are all tick marks. But this Worcestershire vodka entices with its palate too: Worcester Endeavour hops and lemon thyme, as well as zesty pink grapefruit, fragrant bergamot and herby eucalyptus, give it a bright, citrussy profile. It is a flavoured vodka, so some martini purists might balk – but serve this cool with a twist of lemon, and you’ll quicky convince ‘em otherwise.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £35

Looking for more vodka goodness? Then check out Aidy’s 7 Vodkas to Embrace article. Or, if you’re after a change of spirit then why not have a read of Epic Whisky and Chocolate Pairings?!