The world of vodka is growing into a category of terroir-driven and unique spirits. Made from a variety of agricultural products from all around the globe, these 9 vodkas stood out in 2018’s Ultimate Spirit Challenge with scores from 94 to 96 Points.
Absinthe, the pungent green spirit flavored with anise and wormwood, is an acquired taste. Often served with water to cut the intensity, the best versions offer plenty of intense botanicals that prevail even when mixed, like 2018’s Chairman’s Trophy winner La Muse Verte, with 96 Points.
Hillrock Estate Distillery crafts whiskey from field to glass in small batches in New York’s Hudson Valley. Designed as a passion project, every detail of their malt house, barrel room and distillery feels expertly put together. The brand embodies luxury, history, and contemporary trends all at once, and produces mighty fine whiskey while doing it.
An impressive Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey, The Naked Grouse, was awarded a Chairman’s Trophy, with 96 Points. This fine spirit goes a long way to show that blended malts, which combine two or more single malts from different distilleries, have a lot of finesse and elegance to offer the most seasoned drinkers. In many ways, blended malts offer a cherry picked version of the best spirits available, all rolled into one bottle. With a price tag just under $35, it also won a Great Value award.