Stoli Elit Vodka 40% 700ml

A Liquid Lesson in Elegance

Stoli Elit isn't just vodka. It's a declaration - that vodka can be more than neutral, more than clean; it can be a craft. Born from the storied legacy of Stolichnaya, a name etched deep into the annals of vodka history, Elit is the brand's ultra-premium expression. Crafted in Latvia under the watchful eye of master distillers, Elit follows a tradition of Russian-style vodka making but elevates it with modern exactitude. What sets it apart is the ‘freeze filtration' process - a technique inspired by the old Russian practice of storing vodka in sub-zero conditions. After triple distillation and charcoal filtration, the spirit is chilled to precisely -18°C. At that point, it's passed through ion-charged filters to remove the faintest impurities, leaving behind only the smoothest possible liquid.

Everything about Elit is deliberate - from the grain selection (winter wheat from the fertile Tambov region of Russia) to the pristine artesian water. It's a vodka engineered with the same obsessive attention you'd expect from a master watchmaker or a haute couture atelier. In a category often dismissed as bland or one-note, Elit stands tall, bold, and chillingly elegant.

From the first pour, Elit Vodka exudes quiet confidence. Crystal-clear in the glass with an almost weightless shimmer, it opens on the nose with a whisper of wet stone, a touch of fresh linen, and just the faintest edge of anise and black pepper. No harshness, no heat - just cool clarity.

On the palate, it's where Elit really earns its name. The texture is silk in motion - supple, dense, almost creamy, with zero burn. You get soft hints of vanilla pod, a breath of rye bread crust, and a subtle mineral tension that keeps things taut and precise. There's a whisper of citrus oil, too, not bright but deep and restrained, like the zest of a cold lemon peel in winter light.

The finish? Long, cool, and utterly clean. No ethanol spike, no ghostly aftertaste - just a disappearing act so smooth it's like a magician's trick. You're left refreshed, not scorched.

This is vodka designed for slow sipping, straight from the freezer, in a proper weighty glass. It's brilliant in a martini - ideally stirred, bone-dry, with a twist - but don't drown it in mixers. Elit isn't here to play back-up. It's the headline act.

If you're into Grey Goose or Belvedere, Elit is the next level - colder, silkier, and somehow even more composed. An icon in cocktail bars from London to Tokyo, and a favourite among bartenders who know their pour. A must-have for anyone who thinks vodka should be flavourless - and needs a gentle awakening.

Tasting Profile