J.J. Whitley Artisanal Gold Vodka, 70cl

Product Information

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. 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.​ 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. 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. 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”.

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.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. 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. The Welsh bottling is five-times distilled and charcoal-filtered, made with pure glacier water and a hint of barley spirit. According to The Brand Champions 2021 report, the vodka’s million‐case‐selling brands were among the most resilient of all spirits sectors. Multiple brands, particularly those from Eastern European countries, were able to sustain or substantially grow volumes last year in the face of never‐before‐seen adversity brought about by the pandemic. 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.

Western business have been pulling out of Russia in their droves in response to the invasion, with giants of the fuel industry – including BP, Exxon and Shell – all announcing their departure from the country. Halewood, which owns a distillery in St Petersburg, plans to launch “British-made” JJ Whitley by the end of March. As well as inviting businesses and individuals to join a charity online auction of rare and sought-after items, Drinkers for Ukraine has also called upon breweries to brew RESIST, a ‘Ukrainian Anti-Imperial Stout’ developed by displaced Ukrainian brewers, with profits donated to the Red Cross. . 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. 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. ​

Craft distillery FNQ Spirits’ Croc Vodka delighted judges with its “interesting, Aussie gin‐like nose” and “clean and crisp” flavour. Scroll on for the 10 standout award-winning vodkas from the competition, covering a range of tasting notes and price points. The brand is co-owned by BBC 1Xtra presenter Lady Leshurr, and also won awards for its blueberry and raspberry-flavoured expressions.