Vodka in shot glasses with ice cubes.
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Two vodkas took top honors at the 2025 International Bartender Spirits Awards. Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka was awarded Vodka of the Year, and Verità Vodka Italiana was selected as the Best Spirit by Value. Both vodkas have consistently earned medals in international spirit competitions. Below are background details and tasting notes for these two award-winning vodkas.
Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka is an American vodka inspired by the untamed beauty of South Africa and the vibrant energy of New York. According to the company, “the brand’s name, ‘Angry Giraffe,’ was inspired by a cheeky, hand-carved giraffe—a symbol of wit, charm, and towering individuality.”
The vodka is crafted in small batches at Twin Stills Moonshine Distillery in Speonk, New York, from locally sourced grain and is distilled four times.
Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka, 40% ABV, 750 ml. $24.99.
The vodka is crystal clear with a brilliant sheen. On the nose, it has a clean, neutral aroma with subtle hints of grain and a whisper of sweetness. It’s smooth and creamy on the palate, with a mouth-coating texture that exhibits a delicate balance of sweetness and faint peppery spice. The finish is long, crisp, and fresh, with lingering subtle notes of vanilla and a pleasant warmth.
Verità Vodka Italiana is a premium vodka crafted in San Pietro di Feletto, Treviso, in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Produced by the multi-generational Distilleria dell’Alpe, owned by the Beniamino Maschio family, the distillery has a rich heritage in producing traditional grappa, aperitivi, and digestive liquors.
Verità Vodka Italiana is made using 100% Italian wheat and pure mountain spring water sourced from the Alps. The base spirit undergoes three distillation cycles to achieve purity and refinement. The spirit is then distilled a final time in an antique, wood-fired bain-marie still, a traditional method that imparts unique character and smoothness.
The vodka is not chill-filtered, preserving its natural, subtle flavors and resulting in a smoother, more authentic taste profile.
Close-up view of bottle of vodka lying on ice
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Verita Vodka Italiana, 40% ABV, 750 ml. $20
The vodka is crystal clear. It’s clean and crisp on the nose, featuring subtle hints of grain and a faint, wet stone minerality that reflects its wheat-based origins and alpine water sources.
It’s smooth and silky on the palate, with a creamy, mouth-coating texture and a touch of natural sweetness from the wheat. The flavor is neutral yet crisp and refined, with a well-rounded balance and no alcohol harshness. The finish is medium-length, clean, and refreshing with a lingering gentle warmth and a smooth aftertaste.
The International Bartender Spirits Awards is a prestigious global competition that celebrates the world’s finest spirits. The awards recognize excellence across various spirit categories, including whiskies, gins, rums, and tequilas. They focus on quality, innovation, value, and craftsmanship. Judged by an expert panel of bartenders and industry professionals, the competition is highly regarded in the spirits industry and serves as a benchmark for quality.
Verità Vodka Italiana stands out as a premium yet very competitively priced vodka that embodies Italian craftsmanship and tradition. Its meticulous production process and commitment to quality result in a spirit that is smooth, refined, and versatile. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, Verità offers a taste of Italy’s rich distilling heritage.
These two vodkas, both very reasonably priced, are, according to some of America’s top bartenders, among the world’s best vodkas. Both deserve a place in your bar.
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