One vodka brand was awarded a Platinum medal, and 23 other vodkas received Gold Medals at the 2025 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) Vodka Judging. The winners were a mix of historic brands, up-and-coming craft producers, and new expressions. Below are the official tasting notes on BevTest’s Top Vodkas.

elit Vodka was the top-ranked vodka in the 2025 BevTest evaluation and the sole Platinum medal winner with 97/100 points.

Elit Vodka, a premium brand produced in Latvia by the Stoli Group, stands out for its exceptional smoothness and purity, achieved through an advanced distillation and filtration process.

The vodka was first launched in 2002 as a luxury expression of Stolichnaya’s long-standing vodka heritage. The triple-distilled wheat-based vodka undergoes a highly sophisticated freeze-filtration process, filtered at sub-zero temperatures to remove impurities and ensure clarity and purity. This process results in an incredibly smooth and crisp vodka with minimal harshness, contributing to its reputation as a refined, luxury vodka.

elit Vodka is renowned for its smoothness and clean finish. On the nose, it presents delicate notes of grain and a subtle sweetness. The palate is soft, with a round texture and velvety mouthfeel, without the usual burn in many vodkas. It is characterized by a clean, almost neutral profile, making it ideal for sipping neat or high-end cocktails.