Mid Shelf: Bottles on the lower half of the shelf behind a bartender. With liquor, this would usually be bottles that fall in the $25–50 range.
It's made with premium ingredients, it's affordable, and it has a smooth, clean taste that's perfect for any occasion. In London, a Smirnoff vodka can be found on the top shelf, whereas in the United States, the bottom shelf is more commonly seen. The alcohol content of bottom-of-the-line vodka can often be quite high.
Bottom-shelf liquors, or well liquors, are liquors kept within the bartender's arm's reach and are usually served in a shot glass or in a classic cocktail. Because they are often made with the cheapest available liquors, they are usually not of high quality, hence the name “bottom-shelf.”
There are fewer congeners found in top-shelf vodkas than in the bottom-shelf vodkas, which is often due to the fact that top vodka brands tend to have a more sophisticated distillation process.
'Top-Shelf' liquor refers to the highest-quality spirits
Top-shelf spirits are more expensive, and are often made with higher-quality ingredients, giving them a smoother flavor profile than the standard alcohol you'd get with a well drink.
Smirnoff vodka is a top-shelf vodka that is known for its smooth taste and wide variety of flavors. It is one of the most popular vodkas on the market and is made with high-quality ingredients.
Absolut vodka is one of the more popular brands of vodka and is considered to be top shelf. But what does that mean? Top shelf vodka is the highest quality vodka available. It is made with the finest ingredients and is distilled multiple times to produce a smooth, clean flavor.
Yes, grey goose vodka is considered a high end vodka. It is made with French winter wheat and spring water from the Gensac spring. The vodka is distilled five times and is known for its smooth taste. The first luxury vodka was produced by Grey Goose vodka.
Production and Ingredients
Cheaper vodka brands also tend to make their vodka with lower quality substitutes, such as sugar beets. More expensive vodka is produced to have the perfect balance of starch and protein, resulting in a smoother, balanced flavor.
Smirnoff Vodka
Smirnoff owes its longevity and omnipresence to consistent quality. The incredibly smooth spirit comes in three non-flavored varieties, 22 flavors, and four sugar-free options. A bottle of Smirnoff generally costs less than 20 dollars.
"Good vodka should have some kind of interesting and pleasurable flavor," says Tahlin. "It should not be water with a hint of alcohol. It should really have a nice flavor to it. It's easy to create a vodka that doesn't taste like anything.
There are a few key differences between smirnoff and absolut. Smirnoff is typically a bit sweeter, while absolut is a bit more neutral. Smirnoff also has a bit more of an alcohol burn, while absolut is a bit smoother.
The distillation process is a crucial step in producing high-quality vodka. The more times a vodka is distilled, the smoother and purer it becomes. Smirnoff's unique distillation process ensures that the vodka is of the highest quality, making it perfect for sipping neat or mixing in your favorite cocktail.
Grey Goose
This famous French, top-shelf vodka has only two ingredients: high-quality wheat and limestone-filtered spring water. Grey Goose has earned a cult following because of its traditional, time-tested methods and its delicate smoothness, and it's easy to find.
Top Shelf: Bottles on the highest shelves behind a bar. Though there's no hard rule as to cost, these tend to be bottles that would retail for $50 or more in a store. Mid Shelf: Bottles on the lower half of the shelf behind a bartender. With liquor, this would usually be bottles that fall in the $25–50 range.
Grey Goose Vodka
Considered one of the best-tasting vodkas on the market, Grey Goose is a smooth vodka that is perfect for mixing or drinking neat. With tasting notes that include citrusy undertones and hints of vanilla, it is definitely one of the best easy-drinking vodkas out there.