J.J. Whitley Artisanal Gold Vodka, 70cl

Product Information

Once your item has been returned, we will inspect it and take the necessary action as soon as possible. AAK has a sales office in Ukraine with approximately 10 employees, whose safety is our main focus. We are in continuous dialogue with them and will do our utmost to ensure their continued safety. Russia makes up 3% of AAK’s volumes, as measured in metric tons, and Ukraine makes up less than 1%. AAK continuously evaluates the situation and will adopt accordingly."​ Over recent days, 10 US states have banished Russian vodka from shelves in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. Ukrainian brand Nemiroff received two Masters in the Flavoured/Infused Vodka flight, the first for Nemiroff The Inked Collection Wild Cranberry. Pur Vodka received the Master accolade in the Ultra Premium flight for having a “touch of chocolate malt” on the palate. Rodriguez noted the spirit would be “brilliant in a Martini or Negroni”.

The JJ Whitley range also includes variants such as Gold and Blood Orange, as well as a Raspberry Vodka, all of which claimed a Gold medal in the blind tasting. The Inked Collection also bagged another Master medal for Burning Pear. This vodka particularly dazzled the judges, earning the highest award of the competition – The Vodka Taste Master 2021. An array of vodkas were presented to our panel of judges last month, from a pear-flavoured showstopper to a number of rye-based bottlings. We’ve uncovered the brands that stole the show in our latest blind tasting of the category. Another expression from Belvedere’s portfolio to receive a Master medal was its Single Estate Rye Smogóry Forest. Delivering a a “nice texture and mouthfeel”, the liquid was also praised for its “character and interesting finish” in the Vodka – Rye flight. Scroll on for the 10 standout award-winning vodkas from the competition, covering a range of tasting notes and price points.

Craft distillery FNQ Spirits’ Croc Vodka delighted judges with its “interesting, Aussie gin‐like nose” and “clean and crisp” flavour. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Halewood Group said: “ The Halewood Group is 100% opposed to the Russian Army invasion of Ukraine. We have expressed our support to our Ukrainian customers, our largest export market. ​ The Pur Vodka brand significantly stood out to the judges, as it was awarded six medals across the blind tasting for various bottlings. The brand’s mission is to showcase local produce, combined with creating of high-quality products from North Queensland.

Fats and oils giant AAK issued this statement yesterday (3 March): "AAK has decided to temporarily halt deliveries to, and sales in, Russia. Even though AAK is a supplier in the food sector, which is not subject to sanctions, it has become very difficult to secure compliance to sanctions related to logistics and trade flows as well as third parties.​ The bottling received a new label design earlier this year, designed by Kirsty Holton at Manchester-based Sip Studio. The judges were excited by its complex profile, and found the palate to be “creamy, smooth with a slight chilli heat” finishing with some “citrusy notes”. The Co-op and Morrisons have removed Russian vodka from shelves. Marks & Spencer has suspended shipments to its Turkish franchisee's Russian business and offered millions of pounds in aid to Ukrainian refugees and families affected by the war. Pur Vodka was noticed for its smooth qualities, bagging a Gold medal in the Microdistillery flight, while Pur Sang Select, Pur Sang Standard and Pur Vodka all won Silver awards.Belvedere cleaned up in the Vodka – Rye flight, securing a total of seven medals altogether. One Master award was granted to its Heritage 176, a vodka spirit drink with “bold, strong rye notes”, and “chocolatey, chewy” flavours.

Halewood, which owns a distillery in St Petersburg, plans to launch “British-made” JJ Whitley by the end of March. Halewood Artisanal Spirits is moving production of its JJ Whitley vodka brand from Russia to the UK following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Grocer has learned. The company currently employs about 950 people and produces a number of different branded spirits, including Crabbies Alchoholic Ginger Beer, Dead Man’s Fingers Rum, Aber Falls and Liverpool Gin.Out of respect for the situation, we have removed all references to the ‘Remarkably Russian’ campaign across all our JJ Whitley communications”, she added. Next on our list of award-winning vodkas is Penderyn Distillery’s Five Vodka was the first to be awarded a Master in the Super Premium heat. Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, chaired the third and final team, which comprised: Ivan Dixon, independent spirits consultant; and Dimple Athavia, founder of All Things Drinks.