FIVE OF THE BEST

International vodkas

International Vodka Day fell at the start of October, a celebration that began in the US and has now spread around the world. Go global with this selection of old favourites and new discoveries from recent tastings…

Belvedere Single Estate Rye 1

Lake Bartężek, Poland

£39.90-£56/70cl Amathus Drinks, Amazon UK, Clos 19, Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, Prestige Drinks, The Drink Shop, The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky World, VIP Bottles Belvedere is a benchmark for premium Polish vodka. Its two single-estate vodkas focus on distinct regions: Smogóry forest in West Poland and Bartężek in northern Poland’s lake district. Made from Diamond Dankowskie rye – a rare baker’s-grade rye that’s lower in starch – this is rich, silky, very creamy and super-smooth. Mellow rye notes on the palate are balanced by fresh grassy, herbal and hay flavours. Good to sip alongside a Danish-style smoked salmon and rye smørrebrød. Alcohol 40%

2 Cobalte, France

£40.75-42.22/70cl The Drink Shop, The Whisky Exchange

This premium French vodka will appeal to Champagne lovers: it’s made from a base of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, grown in the Montagne de Reims in Aÿ-Champagne. The grapes are vinified and distilled multiple times with their lees, giving a smooth and aromatic spirit. Fruity and floral nose (oranges and orange blossom) with a balanced creamy, citrus and mineral palate; fruity grape notes and liquorice spice on the finish. Alc 40%

3 Haku, Japan

£27.88-£39/70cl Widely available

Produced by Suntory, which is much better known for its whiskies, this Japanese vodka is made from white rice (the word ‘haku’ means ‘white’ in Japanese). It’s doubledistilled using bamboo charcoal filtration, to give a pure, soft and rounded palate. There’s an edge of sweetness on the soft, lingering finish that marries well with the dry vermouth in a Vodka Martini. Alc 40%

4 Reyka, Iceland

£26-£37/70cl Widely available

Hailing from Borgarnes on the west coast of Iceland, Reyka is a truly eco-friendly vodka, made with glacial spring water and distilled using sustainable geothermal energy. In fact, ‘reyka’ is an old Icelandic word for ‘steam’. Made in small batches, from a base of wheat and barley, Reyka is filtered through lava rock. The end result is a very pure, soft, creamy spirit, with notes of vanilla balanced by anise, pepper and lemon zest. Alc 40%

Royal Mash Vintage Vodka 5

2020, UK

£35.99-£37/70cl Harrods, Master of Malt,

Vida Wines

This creamy small-batch vodka is made from Jersey Royals – a type of small, thin-skinned, earthy and sweet potato that’s unique to the island of Jersey, located in the Channel Islands between France and the UK. This vintage vodka is made from the potato crop of just one year and it’s distilled only once to retain its character. I love the creamy vanilla character here, which is balanced by freshly sliced lemon, finishing crisp with fresh grassy notes and green chilli spice. Alc 40%