Desi Daruco-founder, Mohit Singh says: “It is the perfect marriage of East and West and we are thrilled the judges agree and have honoured us with such a prestigious accolade.

Chambers said: “There’s an expectation with ultra‐premium prices that you are going to get something better and more well‐balanced. There was more expressiveness here, and you can see some producers are pushing the category in different directions.” Vodka producers are “pushing the category in different directions”, one judge said A de Fussigny was a stand out brand at this year’s Vinexpo Paris, where visitors could sample its Summum Organic Vodka range, including this expression. Other Golds went to Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action, enjoyed for its “delicate sweetness and hints of white chocolate and earthy spice”, the “sweet and earthy” Jean Marc XO Vodka, and the “clean and crisp” White Claw Spirits Triple Wave Filtered Premium Vodka.A Gold was given to Grainger’s Deluxe Organic Vodka, and a Silver was awarded to Koskenkorva Vodka Organic. Desi Daru, the British-Indian inspired ultra-premium vodka brand, is thrilled to announce its further UK expansion as they secure a listing with luxury retailer Harvey Nichols. In the final geographical division, Rest of the World, Archie Rose Distilling took home one of three Gold medals for its True Cut Vodka. The spirit had an “interesting nose with herbaceous notes” and overall was “nicely cohesive”.

The method to the vodka isn’t exactly what one might call ordinary – it’s made from whey leftover from co-founder Bryn Perry’s cheese making, who’d had enough of constantly throwing the excess down the drain. The first panel comprised chair David T Smith, spirits consultant, writer and co‐founder of the Craft Distilling Expo; Claire Filer of The Filer Files; Anne Jones, drinks expert at Waitrose; and Marie Cheong-Thong of The Larder at 36, while the second panel was chaired by Bryan Rodriguez-Curtis, wine and spirits buyer at Harvey Nichols, who was joined by Antony Moss MW; Evan Prousaefs, bar manager at Sexy Fish in London; and Tatti Sukamongkol, wine and spirits specialist, and contributor to Malt Review. The 2023 ADI winners highlighted an impressive class of up-and-coming distillers. Some winners are well-known craft distillers, while others are relatively new with limited national distribution. Elyx is made with grain taken exclusively from the Råbelöf estate in Sweden and is manually distilled in a 1921 copper rectification. The distillery has been operating since 2020 and crafts its vodka from locally grown and malted barley. Barley malt produces an exceptionally rich, creamy vodka with a noticeable sweetness.The Alphonso mangoes used in the flavoured bottling are sourced from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and are prized for their superior sweetness and indulgent quality. The purity of the water and the indulgent quality of the Alphonso mangoes we use, distilled rather than infused, creates a full and smooth flavour. We believe Desi Daru is a reflection of us, and we are proud to share our heritage with the world through this unique spirit.”

Unsurprisingly, the panel wasn’t short on praise for it, with Rodriguez-Curtis asserting that the “palate is fantastic, the alcohol is perfectly integrated, its balanced well and the texture rounded”.

Winners

The Rest of the World round awarded two Golds and two Silver medals. Gold winner Meili Vodka was described as “comforting and rich”, with “lemon rind, cacao nibs and a hint of dried vanilla” on the nose. Fellow Gold medallist The Community Spirit Vodka offered a “crisp and clean nose” and a “long and lingering finish”. It is made with 100% organic wheat and spring water both sourced from the Charente region, and sits at 40% ABV.

On a mission to find the best vodkas on the market, this summer three panels of judges gathered at the Hippodrome in London to decide which entrants would receive coveted medals in our annual Vodka Masters blind tasting competition. Commending excellence in the vodka industry, the awards (part of the World Drink Awards) judges spirits in four categories: Pure Neutral, Infused and Botanical, Varietal and Flavoured.The brand’s Alphonso Mango-flavoured vodka was judged the best UK Flavoured Vodka at the World Drinks Awards, moving on to compete for the title of World’s Best Flavoured Vodka against other country winners. Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (GMSC) led the third panel, which included: Matt Chambers, spirits writer and co-founder of the Whisky For Everyone blog; Joyce Chou, Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s translation project manager; Zaloren Gonzalez Fontes, assistant manager of Hometipple; and Herchelle Perez Terrado, founder of Drinks Partnership. Mohit added: “The purity of the water and the indulgent quality of the Alphonso mangoes we use, distilled rather than infused, creates a full and smooth flavour. We believe Desi Daru is a reflection of us, and we are proud to share our heritage with the world through this unique spirit.” The Best of Category Flavored Vodka Bottled & Blended is B. H. James Distillers, James Lake Crisp Cucumber – Cucumber Flavored Vodka. First, Tayport Distillery Malt Barley Vodka; the expression was “very aromatic, creamy and smooth with superbly integrated alcohol”, noted Gorn. “It lingers nicely on the palate with very well composed flavours next to each other,” he added. Barn Vodka. Tasting notes included “sweetness, pepper, and nice creaminess and fruity quality”. Vodka makers are creating flavourful expressions