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 (including potatoes, wheat, corn and even grapes) with minimal distillation to allow the natural flavors to shine.
The top 10 winners in the Best Craft Vodka Distillery category are as follows:
- Prairie Organic Spirits - Princeton, Minn.
- Journeyman Distillery - Three Oaks, Mich.
- 44° North Vodka - Boise
- Tom's Town Distilling Co. - Kansas City, Mo.
- Dented Brick Distillery - Salt Lake City
- Graybeard Distillery - Durham, N.C.
- Smugglers' Notch Distillery - Jeffersonville, Vt.
- Hangar 1 - Alameda, Calif.
- Cascade Alchemy - Bend, Ore.
- Old 4th Distillery - Atlanta
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick 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); Ziggy Eschliman, one of America's most authoritative and entertaining libation experts; Kevin Gray (Bevvy); Eric Grossman (Craft Spirits) and Jack Robertiello, a spirits competition judge, were chosen for their knowledge of the American craft spirits scene.
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.
Kevin Gray
Kevin Gray is the co-founder and editor-in-chief... Read More
Kevin Gray is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Bevvy, an online service dedicated to enhancing people's drinking experiences though cocktail recipes, spirit reviews and helpful tips, plus entertaining articles about the people and brands behind the bar. Kevin was formerly the founder of CocktailEnthusiast.com, and has also written for numerous publications including the Dallas Morning News, Men's Journal, Tasting Table and more.
Kevin Gray
Kevin Gray is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Bevvy, an online service dedicated to enhancing people's drinking experiences though cocktail recipes, spirit reviews and helpful tips, plus entertaining articles about the people and brands behind the bar. Kevin was formerly the founder of CocktailEnthusiast.com, and has also written for numerous publications including the Dallas Morning News, Men's Journal, Tasting Table and more.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and F&B writer based in... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and F&B writer based in Boston. Highlighting 250 of the world’s most important producers, his book Craft Spirits (DK; Penguin Random House) has been published in more than a dozen countries. Besides keeping tabs on the latest in industry trends by visiting the world's best bars, Eric has blended pisco in Peru, sourced gin botanicals in Holland and experienced baijiu culture in China.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and F&B writer based in Boston. Highlighting 250 of the world’s most important producers, his book Craft Spirits (DK; Penguin Random House) has been published in more than a dozen countries. Besides keeping tabs on the latest in industry trends by visiting the world's best bars, Eric has blended pisco in Peru, sourced gin botanicals in Holland and experienced baijiu culture in China.
Jack Robertiello
Jack Robertiello has worked with or written about... Read More
Jack Robertiello has worked with or written about spirits, wine, food and restaurants for most of his adult life, for many publications. He speaks frequently at conferences and meetings, and judges at numerous competitions, including the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Robertiello also gives private classes and seminars on tasting wine and spirits, and has advised producers, importers, marketers and publicists about the field. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Jack Robertiello
Jack Robertiello has worked with or written about spirits, wine, food and restaurants for most of his adult life, for many publications. He speaks frequently at conferences and meetings, and judges at numerous competitions, including the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Robertiello also gives private classes and seminars on tasting wine and spirits, and has advised producers, importers, marketers and publicists about the field. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy... Read More
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
