From Grain to Glory: How Traditional Ingredients Drive Gold Medal Vodkas

Vodka has evolved far beyond its colourless, flavourless stereotype. At IWSC 2025, the category delivered its most impressive performance yet - seven Gold Outstanding medals (98+ points) and 27 Gold medals (95+ points) from 14 countries, proving that traditional ingredients and regional expertise are driving vodka's quality revolution.

Leading the field were expressions showcasing diverse base materials and regional expertise. All seven Gold Outstanding winners (98 points) demonstrated exceptional quality: Iceland's Kría Single Grain Vodka, the UK's Single Origin English Vodka from Witchmark Distillery, Adnams' Longshore Triple Malt Vodka, and Hawkridge Distillers' Sexy Fish Vodka, Germany's Superb 5 X Distilled Vodka and Korol Black Vodka from Eckerts Wacholder Brennerei, and Poland's 10 Vodka from Belvedere. These winners demonstrate how heritage grains, meticulous distillation, and regional agricultural advantages create world-class vodka.

An Exciting Time For Vodka

“It's a very exciting time for vodka. We're moving past the idea that vodka has to be flavourless and odourless," explains David T. Smith, IWSC Spirits Judging Committee member. "People are starting to embrace the character that can come through from the base material - whether it's the spicy creaminess of a barley vodka, or the rich, fruity earthiness of a potato vodka."

The Gold Outstanding medals revealed interesting diversity. Witchmark Distillery's Single Origin English Vodka (98 points) and Adnams' Longshore Triple Malt Vodka (98 points) showcased British grain expertise, whilst Hawkridge Distillers' Sexy Fish Vodka (98 points) proved luxury positioning can match liquid quality.

European producers dominated through traditional grain mastery. Germany claimed four Gold medals through Eckerts Wacholder Brennerei's range, including their distinctive Korol Black Vodka (98 points). Poland secured four Gold medals, with heritage brands like Chopin and Wyborowa proving that traditional rye and potato expertise translates to international recognition.

Not All Vodka Is Created Equal

Judge Antony Moss MW observed remarkable consistency: "The standard for wheat vodka was consistently high, even though there were products from many regions (19 countries, 5 continents). Most were in an elegant, almost-neutral style, with a hint of grain character delicately expressed. Some were more pungent and characterful. Both styles were generally well-made and got good medals."

What united the top performers? Judge Stephanie DiCamillo-May identified key traits: "Layers of precise aromas. Perfectly poised textures. Clearly demonstrating balance and expressiveness with respect to the raw materials."

Yet diversity flourished. "Curiously, there wasn't a significant common factor beyond the obvious balance and technical correctness," noted Moss. "Some of the top products were pungent and expressive with complexity and character. Others were featherlight and delicate."

Standout innovations emerged from unexpected regions. Australia's Beachtree Distilling Co. achieved Gold (95 points) with their Organic Vodka, whilst Royal Mash from Jersey earned Gold (95 points) with their Batch 24 Vodka, using potatoes.

"A barley vodka can bring creaminess and spice, while a potato vodka offers a certain fruity, earthy character," notes Smith. "These are qualities we now really get excited about – and consumers are starting to understand that not all vodka is created equal."

Quality Over Gimmicks

The results reflect vodka’s mature status as a category. Judge Veronika Karlova observed: "The rye vodka category delivered some exceptional samples with very well-distilled base spirit and balanced mouthfeel."

This focus on fundamental quality appeared across winners. William Grant & Sons' Discarded Grape Skin Vodka (Gold, 95 points) proved that sustainability and innovation can coexist with excellence, whilst traditional expressions like Diageo's Smirnoff No.21 Vodka (Gold, 96 points) demonstrated how established brands maintain relevance through quality consistency.

As Smith concludes, "Vodka judging has to evolve with the market. What consumers are looking for is changing, and we need to reflect that. Vodka can still score highly for purity and the cleanness of distillation, but character and heritage are increasingly being recognised." This year’s Gold and Gold Outstanding results prove that vodka’s future lies not in neutrality, but in celebrating the raw ingredients, heritage and innovation that define each expression. Whether from a classic wheat base in Poland or sugarcane in Australia, the world’s best vodkas are delivering complexity, balance and a true sense of place.

Explore the full list of Gold and Gold Outstanding Vodka winners below.