The Diverse World of Silver and Bronze Medal Vodkas

The vodka revolution extends far beyond traditional grains. At IWSC 2025, Silver and Bronze medal winners revealed a fascinating world of experimentation, with 78 Silver medals (90-94 points) and 19 Bronze medals (85-89 points) showcasing how alternative ingredients and innovative producers are carving unique identities in vodka's evolving landscape.

Beyond Tradition

While traditional powerhouses like Poland (7 Silver medals) and Germany (6) maintained a strong presence, a new story is emerging - one of producers stepping beyond grain and potato to explore more unconventional bases.

Australia, for example, earned five Silver and five Bronze medals, with entries that included grape and sugarcane-based vodkas. The USA followed closely with nine Silver medals, highlighting how New World producers are embracing innovation while refining quality.

IWSC Judging Committee member David T. Smith notes: “We’re really moving past this idea that vodka has to be flavourless and odourless. People are starting to embrace the character that can come through from the base material.”

A Global Canvas

From Nepal to Uganda, vodka producers are leveraging local agriculture and terroir to craft distinctive spirits. Mallard Point’s Last Call Chardonnay Vodka (Silver, 92 points) offered a wine-lovers twist, whilst Kakira Sugar Limited’s sugarcane vodka from Uganda (Silver, 91 points) showed how tropical ingredients are finding their place on the global stage.

Smaller territories made an impact too: Mutiny Island Vodka from the US Virgin Islands and Singapore’s Pure Glacier Vodka both earned Silver medals (91 points each), proving that great vodka is no longer confined to cold climates and wheat fields.

Judge Stephanie DiCamillo-May commented: “The grape vodkas had lots of interesting and divisive flavours. A lot of them had very little to do with the typical expected flavours of grape - meatier and richer.”

The Experimental Edge

One of the more interesting trends at the Silver and Bronze level was the prevalence of vodkas with undeclared base ingredients - often a marker of niche producers experimenting with proprietary blends or processes.

As Smith explains: “There is innovation in vodka. Most of it focuses on increasing the quality of vodka, as opposed to outrageous flavours... there’s something for everyone, really.”

Looking Ahead

This diverse field - from high-altitude Nepalese distilleries to island innovators - demonstrates that vodka is becoming a canvas for global experimentation. While many of these producers are still refining their style, their ambition signals a bold, flavour-forward future for the category.

“Vodka could be prized for its purity,” says Smith, “but you might also get a barley vodka with creaminess and spice, or a potato vodka with earthy richness. That’s something to get excited about.”

Explore the full list of Silver and Bronze Vodka winners below.