J.J. Whitley Artisanal Gold Vodka, 70cl

Product Information

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. 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 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.

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. 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”. The Welsh bottling is five-times distilled and charcoal-filtered, made with pure glacier water and a hint of barley spirit. 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.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. 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. 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. 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. Next on our list of award-winning vodkas is Penderyn Distillery’s Five Vodka was the first to be awarded a Master in the Super Premium heat.

Out of respect for the situation, we have removed all references to the ‘Remarkably Russian’ campaign across all our JJ Whitley communications.” ​ 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. The Spirits Business held its annual Vodka Masters in September, a category considered to be blossoming as distillers look to experiment with native ingredients. Out of respect for the situation, we have removed all references to the ‘Remarkably Russian’ campaign across all our JJ Whitley communications”, she added.Once your item has been returned, we will inspect it and take the necessary action as soon as possible. Scroll on for the 10 standout award-winning vodkas from the competition, covering a range of tasting notes and price points. Another expression from Belvedere’s portfolio to receive a Master medal was its Single Estate Rye Smogóry Forest. Delivering a a “nice texture and mouthfeel”, the liquid was also praised for its “character and interesting finish” in the Vodka – Rye flight. 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.

Ukrainian brand Nemiroff received two Masters in the Flavoured/Infused Vodka flight, the first for Nemiroff The Inked Collection Wild Cranberry. 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. . Halewood, which owns a distillery in St Petersburg, plans to launch “British-made” JJ Whitley by the end of March. 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. 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.” ​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.​ 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. 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."​ 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.

Over recent days, 10 US states have banished Russian vodka from shelves in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. 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 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. Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, chaired the third and final team, which comprised: Ivan Dixon, independent spirits consultant; and Dimple Athavia, founder of All Things Drinks.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. Presented in the Rest of the World flight, Croc Vodka was one of the two brands to bag a Master medal. 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.