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 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 Pur Vodka brand significantly stood out to the judges, as it was awarded six medals across the blind tasting for various bottlings. The bottling received a new label design earlier this year, designed by Kirsty Holton at Manchester-based Sip Studio. 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."​ Scroll on for the 10 standout award-winning vodkas from the competition, covering a range of tasting notes and price points. 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.​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. ​ 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. .

JJ Whitley creates a range of artisanal flavoured vodka thatpossessnaturally purified water drawn from deep artesian wells. This results in a refined, velvety taste, elevated by eight generations of distilling experience.With unique flavoured vodkas inspired by the English countryside as well as a gold silk filtered vodka, JJ Whitley's range includes something for all tastes. Ukrainian brand Nemiroff received two Masters in the Flavoured/Infused Vodka flight, the first for Nemiroff The Inked Collection Wild Cranberry.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. Craft distillery FNQ Spirits’ Croc Vodka delighted judges with its “interesting, Aussie gin‐like nose” and “clean and crisp” flavour. 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. 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.

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”. Over recent days, 10 US states have banished Russian vodka from shelves in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. 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.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.

Inspired by 8 generations of distilling excellence from the Whitley family, J.J. Whitley’s popular range of vodkas are distilled in St. Petersburg, the capital of vodka production, with its gin range produced using botanicals sourced from the UK countryside. Out of respect for the situation, we have removed all references to the ‘Remarkably Russian’ campaign across all our JJ Whitley communications.” ​ The firm said it had removed all references to its ‘Remarkably Russian’ campaign across all communications for JJ Whitley.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”.