The World’s Most Popular Vodka Brands

In the world of craft spirits, vodka seems forever in search of respect. And although we’ve done our best to dispel the rumors—that it is invariably a flavorless category of spirit—misconceptions persist. But don’t feel too bad for the segment. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, it makes up just about a full third of all hard alcohol sold in the US. Globally, it’s more of the same. Aside from baijiu, nothing comes close. So it’s fair to say that the products below aren’t just the most popular vodkas on the planet, are they among some of the most-sold spirits on earth. Let’s take a look at the list, with intel provided from our friends at IWSR Drinks Market Analysis in London.

5.) Khortytsa

Although it’s never been a top-seller here in the States, this Ukrainian brand dominates Eastern Europe. In its native land it accounts for a full 29% of all spirits sold. The Platinum label, which sells here for usually around $10, is perfectly drinkable in martini form. A little hint of toasted biscuit in the nose, and a dry and creamy texture on the tongue.

4.) Tatspirtprom

The top-selling producer in all of Russia is virtually unknown in the US. That’s because most of its leading labels, including Khanskaya, Tundra, Akdov and Graf Ledoff aren’t distributed here. If you want to see what the fuss is all about, try procuring a bottle of the plainly-titled Russian Value. It’s not just a clever name; this is a perfectly serviceable cocktail spirit for under $10. Tasting notes? Yes.

3.) Tito’s

Now it’s time for some of the stuff familiar to American drinkers. And currently there is no brand that fits the bill as fully as Tito’s. Whether or not it lives up to its self-professed ‘handmade’ moniker is a source of longstanding controversy. But what’s not up for debate is that this Texas corn-derived liquid is now the top-selling spirit in the entire country. So they must be doing something right.

2.) Absolut

Sweden’s pride and joy helped make vodka cool again in a global advertising campaign that ran through much of the ‘80s and ‘90s. As for the liquid itself—it’s also a winner, distilled from Scandinavian winter wheat for a pronounced softness in mouthfeel. In 2008, spirits giant Pernod Ricard purchased the company for an estimated $6.6 billion USD. Given it’s steady growth since then, that was probably a pretty solid investment.

1.) Smirnoff

Despite the fact that Tito’s recently overtook Smirnoff for the American crown, the ubiquitous brand remains the world’s number one. Originally introduced in 1860s Moscow, the eponymous Smirnov family who founded it eventually fled Russia during the October Revolution of 1917. Through a series of transactions, the label made its way to an American licensee named John Martin. Masterful marketing in the era directly proceeding Prohibition helped shift American drinking habits away from whiskey and usher in an unprecedented period of growth within the vodka category. The rest, as they say, is history.