Russia and Poland were distilling vodka as early as the 8th or 9th centuries. Since those early days, it has become one of the world's most popular spirits, thanks in large part to its versatility in mixing. But vodka doesn't just belong in cocktails; while some distilleries compete to create the smoothest, clearest and sometimes most flavorless variation, others are embracing vodka by making it with local, high-quality ingredients (not just potatoes anymore) with minimal distillation to allow the natural flavors to shine.
We asked a panel of American spirits experts to nominate 20 of the best craft vodka distilleries in the USA, and four the past four weeks, our readers have been voting daily for their favorites. Many of these distilleries work in small batches using locally-sourced ingredients. Many are family-owned. All take pride in crafting unique vodkas worthy of sipping as well as mixing.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Craft Vodka Distillery are as follows:
- Tom’s Town Distilling Co. - Kansas City, Mo.
- Restless Spirits Distilling Company - Kansas City, Mo.
- Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries - Glenshaw, Penn.
- Black Dog Distillery - Plainfield, Ill.
- Peach Street Distillers - Palisade, Colo.
- Dry Fly Distilling - Spokane, Wash.
- Pinckney Bend Distillery - New Haven, Mo.
- Du Nord Craft Spirits - Minneapolis
- Dented Brick Distillery - Salt Lake City
- Union Horse Distilling Co. - Lenexa, Kan.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Emily Arden Wells (Gastronomista), Brian Christensen (Artisan Spirit Magazine), Derek Gamlin (Sub Zero Vodka Bar), Laura Johnson (Distillerista) and Arthur Shapiro (Booze Business) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of the American craft spirits industry.
Congratulations to all these winning distilleries!
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The Experts
Emily Arden Wells
Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the... Read More
Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the award-winning cocktail and travel website Gastronomista. Follow her on Instagram at @gastronomista_
Emily Arden Wells

Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the award-winning cocktail and travel website Gastronomista. Follow her on Instagram at @gastronomista_
Brian Christensen
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan... Read More
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan Spirit Magazine, the most trusted distilling trade journal in America, and the Still Talking Podcast, an irreverent distilling podcast his wife won’t even listen to. He is a member of multiple industry committees, advisor boards, and spirits competitions around the country. Brian is lucky enough to spend his days working with distillers, suppliers, state guilds, and industry associations around the world to tell stories that both inform and educate.
Brian Christensen

Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan Spirit Magazine, the most trusted distilling trade journal in America, and the Still Talking Podcast, an irreverent distilling podcast his wife won’t even listen to. He is a member of multiple industry committees, advisor boards, and spirits competitions around the country. Brian is lucky enough to spend his days working with distillers, suppliers, state guilds, and industry associations around the world to tell stories that both inform and educate.
Derek Gamlin
Growing up, Derek Gamlin and his brothers always... Read More
Growing up, Derek Gamlin and his brothers always had a competitive camaraderie – and as the oldest, he was never shy to accept a challenge. After years of dreaming, his brothers challenged him to open his first establishment. Alongside his brother Lucas, he took the entrepreneurial plunge into the world of restaurant ownership when Sub Zero Vodka Bar opened its doors in 2004. Today it's home to the country’s largest selection of vodkas.
Derek Gamlin

Growing up, Derek Gamlin and his brothers always had a competitive camaraderie – and as the oldest, he was never shy to accept a challenge. After years of dreaming, his brothers challenged him to open his first establishment. Alongside his brother Lucas, he took the entrepreneurial plunge into the world of restaurant ownership when Sub Zero Vodka Bar opened its doors in 2004. Today it's home to the country’s largest selection of vodkas.
Laura Johnson
Laura Johnson is the founder of San Diego's new... Read More
Laura Johnson is the founder of San Diego's new You & Yours Distilling Co., California’s first urban destination distillery. One of the few female distillers in the country, Johnson is committed to crafting high quality spirits, with the goal of creating products for every palate. Johnson trained at the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Dry Fly Distilling School and the Distilled Spirits Epicenter’s Master Distiller’s program. When not in the distillery, Laura can be found crushing the craft cocktail world on her blog, Distillerista.
Laura Johnson

Laura Johnson is the founder of San Diego's new You & Yours Distilling Co., California’s first urban destination distillery. One of the few female distillers in the country, Johnson is committed to crafting high quality spirits, with the goal of creating products for every palate. Johnson trained at the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Dry Fly Distilling School and the Distilled Spirits Epicenter’s Master Distiller’s program. When not in the distillery, Laura can be found crushing the craft cocktail world on her blog, Distillerista.
Arthur Shapiro
Arthur Shapiro has been in the spirits industry... Read More
Arthur Shapiro has been in the spirits industry for over 30 years in senior positions with leading companies and as a consultant. He writes and publishes a blog on the industry called Booze Business. His book about the industry, Inside the Bottle: People, Brands and Stories, was published this past Fall. Arthur’s consulting practice currently focuses on startup ventures and distilleries in the spirits industry and he has met with, written about and worked with some of the best craft and artisanal producers in the U.S.
Arthur Shapiro

Arthur Shapiro has been in the spirits industry for over 30 years in senior positions with leading companies and as a consultant. He writes and publishes a blog on the industry called Booze Business. His book about the industry, Inside the Bottle: People, Brands and Stories, was published this past Fall. Arthur’s consulting practice currently focuses on startup ventures and distilleries in the spirits industry and he has met with, written about and worked with some of the best craft and artisanal producers in the U.S.