Kremlin Award Vodka 750ML

Kremlin Award Vodka 750ML is a five-times distilled Russian grain vodka bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. This expression earned a Double Gold at the 2020 China Wine & Spirits Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, cementing its reputation as one of Russia's most decorated premium vodkas.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof)  |  Origin: Russia  |  Style: Premium Grain Vodka  |  Distillery: Itar Distillery

Production & Heritage

Kremlin Award traces its origins to 1936, when Russia's leading distillers and industry specialists were assembled under a special government order to research and perfect a vodka formulation over a two-year period. The result was a spirit originally reserved for official Kremlin banquets and state protocol events. Today, Itar Distillery produces Kremlin Award from a mashbill of special wheat varieties and oat flakes, blended with spring artesian water. The liquid undergoes five distillations and passes through a proprietary filtration process, yielding an exceptionally clean spirit that retains just enough grain character to distinguish it from neutral competitors.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with freshly baked bread and a crisp green apple note. It is complex yet restrained, never overwhelming, with a gentle cereal sweetness underneath.

Taste: On entry the vodka feels silky and mild on the tongue, with a slightly sweet mid-palate that carries soft wheat and delicate fruit tones. A very slight peppery warmth builds toward the back of the palate, adding structure without harshness.

Finish: The finish is long-lasting and smooth, with lingering notes of grain and a clean minerality. A faint sweetness stays behind, leaving the palate refreshed rather than coated.

How to Drink Kremlin Award

Traditionally, this vodka is served chilled and neat in a small glass, which highlights the subtle bread and green apple aromatics that set it apart. Its clean, texturally rich profile also makes it a strong cocktail foundation. A Classic Martini benefits from its silky mouthfeel and restrained character, allowing dry vermouth to shine. In a Moscow Mule, the slight wheat sweetness pairs naturally with ginger beer and lime. A Vodka Collins lets the spirit's mild fruit and grain notes come through against lemon and soda.

Best For

• Gifting a spirits enthusiast who appreciates Russian vodka heritage
• Hosting a formal dinner where spirits are served chilled and neat
• Building a premium home bar with award-winning selections
• Comparative tastings alongside other top-shelf Russian and Eastern European vodkas

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kremlin Award taste like? Kremlin Award delivers a silky, mildly sweet palate with bread and green apple notes, followed by a long, clean finish. The Beverage Testing Institute described it as a "very well made vodka with lovely texture, depth, and balance."

How does Kremlin Award compare to Stolichnaya? Both vodkas have roots in Russia's premier distilling tradition, but Kremlin Award uses a mashbill that includes oat flakes alongside special wheat varieties, producing a noticeably richer mouthfeel. Stolichnaya tends to present a sharper, more mineral-driven profile, while Kremlin Award leans toward a softer, bread-forward character.

Is Kremlin Award good for sipping neat? Yes — its five-times distilled smoothness and subtle grain complexity make it well-suited for chilled, neat service. The slight natural sweetness and long finish reward slow sipping without requiring any mixer.

Where is Kremlin Award made? Kremlin Award Vodka is produced by Itar Distillery in Russia. The formulation dates to 1936 and was originally developed for official Kremlin state events.

What foods pair well with Kremlin Award? Smoked salmon or gravlax highlights the vodka's clean minerality. Caviar served on blini is a classic Russian pairing that complements the bread and grain notes. Pickled herring and dark rye bread echo the wheat character. Aged hard cheeses like Gouda contrast nicely with the subtle sweetness, and chilled seafood platters let the spirit's crisp finish cleanse the palate.

What sizes does Kremlin Award come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Kremlin Award worth the price? Kremlin Award positions as a premium vodka, sitting above everyday mixing brands but below ultra-luxury collector bottles. Its multiple international gold medals — including a Double Gold at the 2020 CWSA — reinforce solid value within the premium tier.

Why Kremlin Award?

Few vodkas carry a provenance story as specific as a government-commissioned formulation dating to 1936. The use of oat flakes alongside special wheat varieties is uncommon in the category and contributes a textural richness that most grain vodkas lack. Five distillations combined with proprietary filtration strip away rough edges while preserving enough character to keep the spirit interesting neat. With a Double Gold from the 2020 CWSA, Gold from the 2020 USA Spirits Ratings, and a Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Kremlin Award has been consistently validated on the international competition circuit — making it a credible choice for anyone seeking a Russian vodka with genuine depth and documented quality.