Beluga Transatlantic Racing Vodka 1.75L

Beluga Transatlantic Racing Vodka 1.75L is a quadruple-filtered Russian wheat vodka bottled at 40% ABV in a generous 1.75-liter format. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast and 94/100 by Guía Peñín, the Transatlantic Racing expression stands as the most refined bottling in Beluga's core lineup, distinguished by an additional cotton filtration step and a 45-day resting period before bottling.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Siberia, Russia  |  Style: Ultra-Premium Wheat Vodka  |  Distillery: Mariinsk Distillery

Production & Heritage

Beluga vodka is produced at the Mariinsk Distillery in the Kemerovo Oblast of Siberia, a region prized for its pure artesian water sources. The Transatlantic Racing expression begins with a wheat malt spirit that is blended with malted barley extract, then filtered three times through quartz sand before undergoing a fourth filtration through natural cotton — a step unique to this expression within the Beluga range. After filtration, the spirit rests for a minimum of 45 days, during which small additions of sugar syrup and wild strawberry extract are introduced. The result is a vodka with noticeably more body and complexity than Beluga's standard Noble bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dried herbs and delicate floral tones, followed by balsamic herbal notes and a subtle malty grain character. It reads expressive yet controlled, without the sharp ethanol bite common at this price tier.

Taste: The entry is smooth and creamy, with a mild grain sweetness that develops into layered malt and fresh citrus notes on the mid-palate. A light touch of licorice emerges alongside graphite and almond, building into a well-structured, fleshy body. Hints of lemon zest, fresh-baked bread, and a whisper of vanilla add dimension.

Finish: Medium in length with brisk pepper and citrus brightness that trails off cleanly. The cotton filtration delivers a notably soft, almost silky texture that lingers without heaviness.

How to Drink Transatlantic Racing

This vodka rewards chilled, neat sipping — the 45-day rest and quadruple filtration produce enough texture and subtlety to justify the treatment. Served from the freezer, the malt and citrus notes compress into a rich, creamy sip. It also performs exceptionally in cocktails:

• Vodka Martini: The malty backbone and clean finish provide structure that holds up against dry vermouth without disappearing.
• Moscow Mule: The inherent citrus brightness and pepper spice complement ginger beer and fresh lime without requiring an aggressive pour.
• Lemon Drop: The natural lemon-zest character integrates seamlessly, reducing the need for excess simple syrup and producing a more balanced cocktail.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar for regular entertaining — the 1.75L format provides excellent volume
• Gifting a vodka enthusiast who appreciates Slavic distilling tradition
• Hosting a cocktail party where consistent, high-quality pours are essential
• Side-by-side tastings comparing filtration methods across premium vodkas

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Transatlantic Racing taste like? It leads with creamy wheat grain sweetness and fresh citrus zest, developing into malt, almond, and light licorice notes with a brisk peppery finish. Wine Enthusiast described it as "overall neutral" with "hints of graphite, charcoal and almond, finishing lightly on brisk citrus and pepper."

How does Transatlantic Racing compare to Reyka Vodka? Reyka is an Icelandic vodka distilled from wheat and barley using lava rock filtration, producing a lighter, more mineral-driven profile, while Beluga Transatlantic Racing leans fuller-bodied with richer malt complexity and a creamier texture from its cotton filtration and 45-day rest.

Is Transatlantic Racing good for sipping neat? Yes — the quadruple filtration and extended resting period produce a smooth, layered vodka with enough character to drink chilled and neat, which is the traditional Russian approach to premium vodka.

Where is Transatlantic Racing made? It is produced at the Mariinsk Distillery in the Kemerovo Oblast of Siberia, Russia, a region known for its clean water and extreme continental climate.

What foods pair well with Transatlantic Racing? Smoked salmon and blini complement the malty, creamy body. Pickled vegetables and dark rye bread match the grain character in traditional Russian fashion. Oysters on the half shell pair with the citrus brightness, while mild soft cheeses echo the vodka's subtle sweetness.

What sizes does Transatlantic Racing come in? Beluga Transatlantic Racing is commonly available in 750ml and 1.75L formats, with the larger handle offering better value per pour for regular use.

Is Transatlantic Racing worth the price? Transatlantic Racing positions as an ultra-premium vodka, sitting above Beluga Noble in both price and complexity. Its 92-point Wine Enthusiast rating and distinctive cotton-filtration process justify the step up for drinkers who value texture and depth over pure neutrality.

Why Transatlantic Racing?

What separates this expression from the crowded ultra-premium vodka field is the specificity of its process: a fourth filtration through natural cotton, a 45-day rest, and the deliberate incorporation of malted barley and wild strawberry extracts. These are not marketing embellishments — they produce measurable differences in body and flavor that earned a 94/100 from Guía Peñín and 92 points from Wine Enthusiast. In a category where many brands compete on packaging rather than liquid, Transatlantic Racing delivers genuine production-driven complexity. The 1.75L format makes it a practical choice for anyone who has already decided this is their vodka of choice and wants to keep it in steady rotation.