Born in Russia and Eastern Europe, Vodka is now produced almost everywhere, and the quality has never been higher. Despite that, there are still a lot of misconceptions about this pure spirit, so if you want to win someone over who disregards it as throat burner, or if you just want to buy a vodka lover something special, we’ve got the best bottles for you here…
The Best Vodka to Gift Under £30
Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka
Zubrówka is a stunningly smooth vodka at this price, which is infused with Hierochloe Odorata grass, and in case you forget there’s even a blade of it in the bottle. If you want to inform your vodka lover of the backstory, then it’s a grown in the Bialowieza Forest– home to the beast on the bottle, Polish Bison. It’s not just a gimmick though, because the rye spirit is strained through it, hence the green hue. As you might guess, there’s plenty of herby, aromatic notes coming and going, like cut grass, lavender, subtle citrus, and peppercorns. It’s completely unique and the colouring/grass is eye catching for a gift, but more importantly the actual liquid is as smooth and delicious as vodkas twice the price.
Size: UK 700ml / US 1L
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £22.24 / US £26.99
Reyka Vodka
We can’t get enough of Reyka, because they’ve managed to be one of the world’s most environmentally friendly vodkas, with glacial spring water and geothermal heat), but they’ve also excelled in the vodka itself, and all for under £30 too. It feels full, clean and creamy with gentle vanilla notes and peppery spice, and the icy purity is exceptional.
Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £26.99 / US $19.99
Baller Vodka
From the producers of Renegade Gin comes Doghouse distillery’s Baller, a 100% wheat vodka distilled in London. It’s unfiltered, so carries a lot more flavour than most vodkas, hitting hard with creamy vanilla, whilst retaining smoothness and purity. Follow in the footsteps of the dog on the bottle and take a gamble on it – you (or your giftee) won’t be disappointed.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £28.45
The Best Vodka to Gift Under £40
Cîroc Pineapple Vodka
Anyone into Vodka knows Cîroc, and their pineapple expression adds some sunshine to the original. It’s distilled five times over from frozen French grapes, before the bright pineapple flavour is introduced through crushed fruits, not flavouring. It’s delicious on its own, but can also completely switch up cocktails or simple serves like vodka and lemonade.
Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £31.95 / US $32.99
Tom of Finland Organic Vodka
The leather-clad moustached man front and centre of this distinct bottle is a nod to Touko Laakosen, a gay icon who made huge artistic contributions to gay culture in the 20th century, focusing on masculinity and homoeroticism and breaking down barriers. The liquid inside is a small batch production of old Finish family-run producer Lignell & Piispanen, distilled fiver times for zero throat burn. A little rye spice tops up of a vodka built around it’s silkiness, and proceeds from each purchase go to the Tom of Finland Foundation too.
Size: UK 500ml / US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £35 / US $35.99
G.H.Q. Vodka
There is only so much we can tell you about G.H.Q Vodka because it’s handcrafted at an unknown location in the Scottish Highlands. The distiller is unknown, as are the recipes, but we know Cairngorm water is used, and we also know that the result is splendid. Creaminess, subtle minerality and herbal hints, and even hazelnut and honey come through. Refreshing and so beautifully rounded off.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £37.95
Broken Clock English Vodka
They say a Broken Clock is right once twice a day, but this tastes right every time. Produced by one of England’s oldest distilleries, Hidgate’s Broken Clock takes inspiration from this heritage. Russet apples and garden botanicals are used, in accordance with old Georgian recipes, delivering a vodka oozing in character and bittersweet, herbaceous flickers.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95
The Best Vodka to Gift Under £50
Chase Aged Marmalade Vodka
What we have here is a 100% potato vodka, made in England, infused with zesty Seville marmalade, so its origins are a bit all over the place, but the end produced is a flavoured vodka that really comes together. It’s sweet, refreshing, with a bitter tang and all the while, retaining ultimate refreshment.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £41.45
X Muse Vodka
This Scottish vodka blends two heritage barley varieties, taking fruity notes in both cooked and fresh directions. The silky texture is always there, and the mouthfeel feels instantly impressive with its intoxicating viscosity. This is one of those vodkas that wins doubters of the spirit around.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £57.24
Crystal Head Aurora Vodka
Aurora launched in 2016, after the success off Crystal Head’s original release. It uses super high quality English wheat, which blends with Newfoundland water for an additive-free vodka. The tasteful purity is achieved through five distillations and seven filtrations, three of which involve Herkimer diamonds. It has a touch more spice than the original, and the bottle has more colour, to celebrate the Aurora Borealis (aka the Northern Lights). The perfect luxury vodka gift inside and out.
Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £66.99 / US $55.99
If you’re after more gifts, then we’ve got tonnes of guides up on the site now, for example Rum and Gin.