Vodka often gets unfairly typecast as the neutral, mix-with-anything spirit, but that undersells its true versatility and character. From crisp, clean expressions meant for ice-cold martinis to richer, grain-forward versions that reveal depth and texture, vodka can be as nuanced and rewarding as any brown spirit. Its simplicity on the surface masks an artistry beneath. The choice of base material, distillation method, and even the water source all leave a distinct fingerprint on the final product. That makes it one of the most fascinating spirits to explore right now, especially as craft producers are reclaiming vodka as a spirit worthy of attention on its own terms.
This year’s New York World Spirits Competition underscored that shift, spotlighting how producers are innovating while still delivering smooth, approachable profiles. Three standouts—Spy Trail Distillery Vodka from New York, Flair Spirits Vodka from Tennessee by way of Colorado, and Nevada’s High Ground Vodka—rose above a crowded field to earn finalist status. Each approaches the category from a different angle: Spy Trail with its wine-grape distillate, Flair Spirits with its bold corn-based richness, and High Ground with its estate-grown rye and Sierra snowmelt water. Together, they show just how much diversity exists in what many once dismissed as a “plain” spirit.
For vodka drinkers, that means opportunity. These are bottles that deserve to be on your radar, not just for the medals they’ve collected but for the stories behind them. They’re reminders that the clear spirit in your glass can be just as expressive and award-worthy as anything resting in oak.
Spy Trail Distillery Vodka: A New York Original
Long Island’s North Shore is steeped in Revolutionary War history, and Spy Trail Distillery capitalizes on this local identity with a lineup of spirits that celebrate craftsmanship and regional pride. Their small-batch vodka stood out at this year’s competition thanks to a unique base: New York–grown wine grapes. While most American vodkas rely on corn, wheat, or rye, Spy Trail’s decision to distill from grapes gives the spirit a bright, citrus-tinged profile that’s as distinctive as it is refreshing.
Judges highlighted its balance and smooth finish in their tasting notes: A vibrant and sophisticated vodka, opening with floral and tropical aromas, unfolding into a rich and well-balanced palate with lively depth, and finishing long and elegant with notes of ripe plum and chocolate.
Priced around $30, Spy Trail Distillery Vodka offers an accessible entry point into a more character-driven style of vodka. The distillery isn’t just about clear spirits—it also produces a lineup of whiskeys, including bourbon and flavored expressions. This whiskey-making mindset has carried over into their vodka. By focusing on flavor rather than stripping the spirit entirely neutral, Spy Trail has created a vodka that appeals to both traditional vodka drinkers and those who usually lean toward whiskey. Beyond the glass, the brand is building momentum, having recently been named “New York Vodka Distillery of the Year,” a recognition of both its quality and growing reputation in a crowded market.
Flair Spirits Vodka: Bold, Brash, and Best of Class
Some vodkas are designed to slip quietly into the background of a cocktail. Flair Spirits Vodka is not one of them. Distilled from corn and bottled at 81 proof—a notch stronger than the industry standard—it delivers a bold, full-bodied style that reflects its unapologetically modern branding. That swagger makes sense when you realize it comes from the mind of pro-wrestling legend Ric Flair, whose larger-than-life persona is infused into every bottle.
That approach paid off at this year’s New York World Spirits Competition, where Flair Spirits took home the coveted Best of Class Vodka honor, topping the category entirely. For a new entrant on the scene (it has just started shipping), it was a breakout moment that instantly vaulted the label into the spotlight. Priced at around $30, it is designed to compete with bigger and more established brands.
Flair has always been about showmanship, and his vodka embodies this heritage with both personality and performance. Crafted in partnership with a private-label distillery in Colorado Springs, it backs up its bravado with liquid distilled from corn that judges have praised for its richness and smooth finish. Here is what they had to say about it. An elegant vodka revealing delicate aromas of wintergreen and caramel, unfolding into a silky, well-structured palate of basil, anise, vanilla, and butterscotch, with a long, graceful finish that lingers in layers of mint, green peppercorn, and subtle spice.
High Ground Vodka: Elevating Estate Spirits
If Spy Trail is rooted in history and Flair is built on attitude, High Ground Vodka represents terroir-driven precision. Produced at Minden Mill Distilling in Nevada, High Ground takes the idea of “estate vodka” seriously, growing its own rye and sourcing pristine water from Sierra Nevada snowmelt. That vertical integration—growing, milling, distilling, and bottling all in one place—sets it apart in a category where most brands rely on bulk neutral spirits. The result is a vodka with a clean, structured profile that still carries subtle notes of rye spice and minerality.
High Ground has also built an impressive competition record in a short time. It has medaled across multiple shows, including a Gold at the Bartender Spirits Awards, a Silver at the London Spirits Competition, and high scores from Tastings.com. At the New York World Spirits Competition, it once again rose to finalist status, confirming its consistency in front of some of the toughest judging panels in the industry. Here is what the judges had to say about it: A characterful vodka with a spicy rye nose layered with toasted grain and black pepper, a round and balanced palate carrying a pleasant touch of bitterness and depth, and a robust finish where the flavor lingers with impressive persistence.
The distillery’s broader vision extends beyond vodka—it produces whiskey and other estate spirits as well—making High Ground part of a growing Nevada craft scene that prizes authenticity and provenance. That estate ethos runs through everything they do, giving their vodka a distinct identity rooted in place. Retailing around $30, it offers the polish of a premium vodka without the inflated price tag, making it a serious contender for anyone looking to add an estate-driven bottle to their bar.
The Bottom Line
Taken together, these three vodkas prove that the category is anything but boring. Spy Trail demonstrates how unconventional bases can produce surprising flavors. Flair Spirits proves that bold branding and bold liquid can work hand in hand, especially when it earns Best of Class recognition. High Ground demonstrates that terroir and meticulous estate production can yield a vodka with elegance and distinction. Each one reflects a different path forward for vodka, and each is well worth seeking out. If you thought vodka was just about neutrality, these bottles are here to change your mind.
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