The 12 Best Russian Vodka to Try in 2022

1. Elit Vodka

Recently named the world’s best vodka by the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), Stolichnaya’s Elit Vodka is an ultra-lavish vodka that screams luxury; from the elegant bottle design to the velvety mouthfeel and touch of sweetness on the palate.

Only the highest quality wheat, rye, and water are used for this Vodka made with traditional Russian distilling techniques. Stoli Elit is made using a traditional “freeze filtration” method inspired by the Russian practice of leaving casks out in freezing conditions to age and mature during distillation.

The Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) described Elit by the following qualities: “Clear color. Aromas of sweet mascarpone, nut brittle, and flint with a satiny, crisp, dry light body and a smooth, buoyant lemon custard and a hint of herbs and pepper finish. An outstanding silky-soft vodka for martinis.” We agree.

If you wish to start your Russian vodka journey with the best option, then you should try Elit Vodka, it’s the perfect spirit for sipping or to enjoy in a premium cocktail.

2. Beluga Gold Line Vodka

Beluga Gold Line is an amazing single-origin premium vodka. It’s not the famed Billionaire Vodka that is filtered over real diamonds (it’s worth a cool $3.7 million or so per bottle), but you’ll be feeling like an oligarch when you’re drinking it.

The Beluga Vodka Mariinsk Distillery was established in 1900 right in the heart of Siberia. Its expert vodka production uses a combination of modern technology and older distilling tricks, fine 100% non-GMO wheat, and pure artesian water from a quartz steam in the Siberian bedrock to create a truly fantastic expression.

Some ultra-premium vodkas have a lovely subtle taste and hints of bold flavor, while others are made smooth without any fire or afterburn. Beluga Russian Vodka is one of the only vodkas that can lay claim to doing both, which runs counter to the claim you should “only drink cheap plain vodka because it’s a neutral spirit and the good liquor is no different.”

To truly enjoy the subtle flavor of Beluga vodka I recommend drinking it neat, while for those who prefer an ultra-premium vodka martini or fresh next level Bloody Mary, this is a premier expression to use.

3. Russian Standard Vodka

Russian Standard Vodka is made with wheat grown from the Russian Black Steppes and uses the glacial water of Lake Ladoga in the north.

The vodka spirit is distilled multiple times, quadruple filtered through charcoal, and then relaxed for 48 hours before bottling. The result is a classically pure yet smooth and delicious vodka with little afterburn.

Russian Standard offers excellent versatility and value for money whether you’re a mixologist looking to start the party with shots, entertaining a smaller group with a vodka martini, or nursing a sore head with a Bloody Mary.

If you are happy to pay a bit extra, the brand also has a Russian Standard Platinum expression that’s also worth exploring, particularly if making a vodka tonic or other mixed drinks.

4. Zyr Vodka

One of the smoothest vodka expressions on this list, Zyr is crafted from quality raw grain to be slightly sweet and fresh on the palate, but without the afterburn or alcohol heat that you find in some bottles.

The brand’s proprietary nine-five-three formula is pretty cool. The spirit is distilled five times, filtered nine times through birch charcoal, and tasted three times before bottling to ensure the smoothest tasting, top-quality vodka is ready for sale.

If you are looking for a good vodka that’s approachable yet offers something different from the old favorites, grabbing a bottle of Zyr vodka is highly recommended. It’s recognizable by the bottle featuring the classical St Petersburg roof.

5. Smirnoff Vodka (100 Proof)

Smirnoff remains a tried-and-true brand popular throughout bars, clubs, and home bars everywhere. The 100 proof bottle comes in at 50% ABV.

While now owned by global liquor giant Diageo, for this list Smirnoff remains as Russian as when it was founded by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov in 1864.

Smirnoff vodka began production in 1864 and has grown into the most popular selling Vodka brand worldwide. Its familiar red label is likely to be in the shot chute at your local haunt.

The premium alcohol content in Smirnoff is created by triple distillation from a blend of different grains, then filtered 10 times through seven columns of charcoal.

This process results in an exceptionally pure-tasting smooth spirit that’s easy on the palate and light on afterburn, even at 50% abv.

If you are looking for a top-quality vodka with extra alcohol content but with a smooth, neutral taste, then Smirnoff 100 proof is the option to choose for mixed drinks and sipping.

6. Jewel Of Russia Ultra Black Vodka

Jewel of Russia Ultra Black carries the “luxe” designation given to premium Russian vodka.

Produced at the Chernogolovka distillery, Jewel Ultra Black utilizes the best quality wheat and rye grain that’s distilled using artesian water from wells more than 500 feet deep.

It’s filtered five times and distilled five times through paper, sand, and specialized charcoal made from stone fruit pits, leaving a silky mouthfeel with a hint of pepper and minerality on the palate.

If you are looking for a premium vodka made with a commitment to quality ingredients, or if you are a fan of the great grain to glass Belvedere vodka expressions (Lake Bartezek or Smogory Forest), then Jewel of Russia will be right in your wheelhouse.

7. Stolichnaya Salted Karamel

Stolichnaya is the brand name synonymous with Russian Vodka (and those hectic Ready to Drink double strength citrus combos that laid waste to many young people).

Stoli is a selected grain vodka distilled three times then filtered through birch charcoal, quartz sands, before being blended with pure water from an artesian well to create its clean, easy-to-drink smoothness.

Stolichnaya is a can’t miss choice for use in any environment, whether mixing a flavored vodka at home, getting bottle service out and about, or crafting the perfect Moscow Mule.

My preference with Stoli is to purchase their flavor-infused vodka, which comes in a range from citrus, refreshing cucumber, and berries, to my favorite Salted Karamel expression.

8. Neft Vodka

This is a good vodka that’s packaged in a barrel. I love it!

Neft Vodka is crafted from glacial water and uses four unique non-GMO rye grains during distillation. It’s a true small-batch vodka crafted using copper pot stills and an innovative filtration process to create a beautifully crisp and refreshingly smooth plain vodka.

Like a lot of Russian vodkas, the emphasis is on creating a smooth, neutral spirit, however, there’s a bit of personality and gentle fruit flavor on the palate.

If you’re looking for a barrel of vodka to mix up at your next cocktail party or get-together, you’ll find Neft is well worth ordering.

9. Hammer + Sickle Vodka

Hammer and Sickle is a great tasting vodka brand if you are looking for smoothness and ease of enjoyment.

With individual vodka tastes developing differently from the traditional neutral spirits (think of Polish vodka Chopin, which is a potato vodka), knowing what you like in a vodka and what to mix it with can change your cocktail experience.

Hammer + Sickle offers traditional Russian vodka crispness and a clean aftertaste, but with just a contemporary hint of natural vanilla sweetness in the taste profile.

A great inexpensive vodka before a night out or for a close-knit cocktail party, Hammer + Sickle makes a great addition to your home bar. I recommend the 1.75-liter vodka bottle for entertaining!

10. Green Mark Vodka

According to the brand’s tasting notes, in the post-Revolution USSR, the Government department known as the Glavspirttrest awarded a “green mark” as their seal of approval to the highest quality Russian vodka.

Green Mark Vodka is a nod to traditional distilling, with the spirit crafted with Russian wheat and the cleanest Artesian well water –  it’s crisp and simply made with a hint of black pepper on the tongue but little afterburn

While not as famed as some of its counterparts, if you are looking for a well-priced but authentic old school vodka that you can add to any cocktail, then Green Mark is well worth a try.

11. Ivanbitch Coconut Vodka

A newer Russian vodka brand billing itself as “vodka with attitude,” Ivanabitch doesn’t mess around.

This coconut flavor-infused vodka brings with it the thought of summer vibes, not the mountains of ice in Siberia.

A great flavored vodka for your next tray of shooters or for pepping up a vodka soda, Ivanabitch Coconut is well worth checking out. And let’s face it, you aren’t going to forget the name.

12. Ruskova Russian Vodka

The cheapest vodka on this list, Ruskova Russian Vodka is clean and crisp despite the unassuming price tag.

The brand’s tasting notes claim the spirit is crafted in a privately owned distillery using top-quality grain and quality glacial water.

Ruskova has no pretensions about being fancy or a luxury vodka expression. It is a classically Russian, simply made neutral spirit designed to ward off the chill or augment your cocktail making without breaking the budget.