Every Vodka That Won Double Gold at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

(Photo: Bliska)

Widely considered the largest and most prestigious alcohol judging competition, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has reconvened in the Golden State every year since 2000. Dozens of judges evaluate thousands of spirits, whittling down entries in the whiskey, tequila, rum and ready-to-drink categories to a small handful of coveted winners. The awards show is to spirits what the Oscars are to movies, or what the Emmys are to music. Everyone wants a seat at the table — and only a select few will manage to cut through the noise.

SFSWC judges award spirits Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. Above Gold sits Double Gold; spirits that are unanimously awarded a Gold Medal by every member of the over-50-person panel. Double Gold awardees will eventually be narrowed down to a single Best In Class winner for each category at the Top Shelf Gala, which is tentatively set to take place this November.

Here are the 15 vodkas —  both flavored and unflavored — that were honored with a Double Gold and now have a shot at the grand prize this fall.

Absolut Original Vodka

Absolut’s flagship bottling is a Swedish vodka crafted from winter wheat and water sourced near Åhus, Sweden. Available on the global market since 1979, this is by far the most famous vodka to score a Double Gold at this year’s awards show. In other news, the brand recently collaborated with pop star Madonna for its latest ad campaign.

Absolut Tabasco Vodka

A limited-edition collaboration between Sweden’s most famous vodka and Louisiana’s most iconic hot sauce. The flavored spirit is bottled at 38% ABV and is made without added sugars, instead relying on a natural essence derived from fermented, aged red pepper mash. If you’re a fan of vinegar or cayenne pepper, then rest assured, this bottling will deliver exactly what you’re looking for in droves. Read Our Full Review Here.

Arktika Vanilla Vodka

A five-times distilled vodka made with 100% Australian wheat, this flavored spirit from Arktika is said to offer flavors of vanilla bean alongside a touch of fresh cream. The brand also makes flavored vodka in Salted Caramel, Raspberry, Lemon & Lime and Classic varieties.

Bliska Wheat & Potato Vodka

The sole Double Gold winner from Poland, Bliska uses locally sourced wheat and potatoes distilled in small copper pot stills. The brand name translates to “close” in Polish, reflecting the brand’s ethos of being a slow-sipping vodka meant for sharing and bringing people together. 

Illadelph Vodka

A collaboration between a Philadelphia-based glassware company and a local distiller, Illadelph Vodka is a triple-distilled organic wheat spirit that — believe it or not — is sold inside a bong-shaped bottle. We can only imagine the look of surprise when judges cracked this one open for the first time. Read Our Launch Coverage Here.

Crop Tomato Vodka

Crop Tomato Vodka is a USDA-certified organic, gluten-free spirit crafted from American grain in Minnesota. Its base is infused with the essence of vine-ripened tomatoes, creating an ideal flavor profile for Bloody Marys, Tomato Martinis and anything else vaguely vegetal and summery.

Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka

Deep Eddy Vodka is crafted in small batches from corn and limestone-filtered water, and is then distilled 10 times in a column still named after a historic swimming hole in Austin, Texas. This particular expression is flavored with grapefruit juice and is bottled at 35% ABV. See What Critics Think Here.

Griffo Distillery Vodka

Produced in Sonoma County, California, Griffo Distillery Vodka makes use of 100% corn proofed down with locally sourced water from the Russian River Valley. To quote the product description: It’s “just how your babooshka likes it.”

Headlands Distilling Company Seacliff Vodka

Made from locally grown barley grain mixed with spring water from an aquifer in the Southern Highlands, Seacliff Vodka is one of two Double Gold winners hailing from Australia. It’s hard to believe that two of the top vodkas at this year’s competition came from Australia and only one from Poland, yet here we are!

Mizata Vodka

One of two Double Gold winners distilled in El Salvador, Mixata is inspired by the country’s iconic surfing beaches and is presented in a luxury bottle featuring a screen-printed wave design. It is the official vodka of the “Surf City El Salvador” tourism initiative.

Rock Town Salted Vanilla Vodka

Rock Town Salted Vanilla Vodka begins with the distillery’s vodka, which is produced in small batches at its Arkansas facility. After distillation, natural vanilla flavor and salt components are added to create a flavored expression that feels like a perfect fit for a Pornstar Martini.

Stumbras Vodka Premium Organic

Stumbras is purportedly the first organic vodka made in Lithuania. Multiple distillation and filtration stages are used throughout production, while organic certification requirements are maintained from ingredient sourcing through bottling. Its owner, AB Stumbras, is the oldest and largest spirits producer in its home country.

Lithuanian Vodka Gold

Also produced by AB Stumbras, Lithuania Vodka Gold is distilled three times before going through a distinctive multi-stage filtration process: First through sand and birch charcoal, then through silver and gold filters. We couldn’t find much information about those namesake gold filters online, but that’s probably beside the point. This is, by many accounts, the best-selling vodka in Lithuania.

Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka

Taking a page from the tequila playbook, Weber Ranch is distilled entirely from estate-grown Blue Weber agaves in Jalisco, Mexico. The brand was brought to market a few years back by John Paul DeJoria, the billionaire founder behind Patron Spirits Co. and hair care company John Paul Mitchell Systems. Reviewing the vodka at launch, we found that it had a light, surprisingly creamy quality reminiscent of lemon, almonds and candied coconut. Read Our Full Review Here.

Zero Vodka

A mainstay in its home country of El Salvador, Zero Vodka is a widely available and budget-friendly option that’s sold for around $10 per bottle.