J.J. Whitley Artisanal Gold Vodka, 70cl

Product Information

Craft distillery FNQ Spirits’ Croc Vodka delighted judges with its “interesting, Aussie gin‐like nose” and “clean and crisp” flavour. 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 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.

Scroll on for the 10 standout award-winning vodkas from the competition, covering a range of tasting notes and price points. A premium Russian vodka presented in an eye-catching golden bottle which will look great at your next party. However, the bans have been criticised for having a potentially limited economic impact on Russia, as many popular ‘Russian’ vodka brands are not distilled or bottled there.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. Founded in 1978, family-owned Halewood owns and manages 11 main distilleries and one craft brewery and distributes to 75 countries, including the UK, South Africa, Canada, Australia, China and Germany. Halewood Artisanal Spirits is a family business founded and headquartered in the UK,”​ the spokesman added. “The JJ Whitley Distillery in St. Petersburg is 100% owned by Halewood and has no affiliation with the Russian government.” ​ Craft breweries, cider makers, wineries, and drinkers across Europe are coming together for a series of events throughout March to raise funds and show solidarity for friends and peers in Ukraine. The Drinkers For Ukraine initiative is a fundraising drive to support the International Red Cross humanitarian relief effort in Ukraine. Starting today, the campaign is asking people around the world, and across the drinks industry to get involved, in whatever way they can. The UK-based company has unveiled JJ Whitley Gold Vodka, which was distilled in St Petersburg, Russia.

Over recent days, 10 US states have banished Russian vodka from shelves in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. 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 Spirits Business held its annual Vodka Masters in September, a category considered to be blossoming as distillers look to experiment with native ingredients. The brand is co-owned by BBC 1Xtra presenter Lady Leshurr, and also won awards for its blueberry and raspberry-flavoured expressions.Kamo Original received the fourth and final Master medal of the Super Premium flight, praised for its slight “floral” quality, with a “touch of vanilla and pepper heat towards the finish” of the vodka. Last year, the brand released a raspberry-flavoured variant and a vodka filtered through a gold silk thread. The second set of tasters comprised chair Bryan Rodriguez, wine and spirits buyer for Harvey Nichols. He was joined by Evan Prousaefs, bar manager at The Leaf and Cane in London; and Julia Nourney, independent spirits consultant. Quality and price was said to rise simultaneously in this flight, and Five vodka was applauded for its “simple and clean” nose, leading to tastes of “vanilla, lemon drop and almond” on the palate. Artisanal well water and Russian winter wheat are used to craft this exceptional Russian vodka from J.J. Whitley, winner of gold medals from both IWSC and the World Spirits Competition.

The vodka is made by combining Nemiroff Vodka with honey, pepper and fresh pear, delivering “pear drops” on the nose and “authentic pear flavour” on the palate. 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.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”. Halewood Artisanal Spirits presented a vodka with a “citrus nose, oily texture” to our panel of judges, as JJ Whitley Artisanal Russian Vodka was commended for its ability to be drunk as a neat spirit. The bottling was presented in the Premium heat and sits at 38% ABV. Presented in the Rest of the World flight, Croc Vodka was one of the two brands to bag a Master medal.