Xellent Vodka 750ML

Xellent Vodka 750ML is a Swiss alpine rye vodka distilled in small pot stills and bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and rated 96–100 by F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal, it was the only vodka named to Pacult's top 10 of the top 110 spirits for 2005—a distinction that put this Central Swiss expression on the global map.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof)  |  Origin: Willisau, Central Switzerland  |  Style: Rye Vodka  |  Distillery: Distillerie Willisau (est. 1918)

Production & Heritage

Distillerie Willisau, founded in 1918 in the Swiss canton of Lucerne, produces Xellent using a blend of Matador and Picasso rye varieties grown in the alpine foothills of the Napf region at altitudes between 500 and 800 meters. The rye spirit is first distilled through 17 small copper pot stills, each with a 500-liter capacity, then redistilled in a 45-plate column still—a hybrid approach that preserves the grain's character while achieving exceptional purity. The final step incorporates water sourced from the Titlis Glacier, prized for its softness and mineral content, before a proprietary filtration technique prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a minerally, slightly herbal quality, moving into distinct cherry fruit and subtle dark chocolate. Underneath, gentle rye grain, hints of jasmine, tea leaves, and wet stone emerge as the spirit breathes.

Taste: Entry on the palate is silky and semisweet, with biscuity rye grain giving way to boiled cherry essence at the midpalate. The profile then builds into a full-bodied, concentrated wave of nutty rye flavor layered with green tea and maraschino cherry notes. A mineral backbone runs throughout, lending depth rarely found in the category.

Finish: The finish is lightly spiced and medium in length, trailing off with a distinctive bitter chocolate dryness. Subtle rye warmth and a clean mineral quality linger after each sip.

How to Drink Xellent

Xellent rewards neat sipping at cool room temperature or lightly chilled, where the rye grain character and glacier-water minerality come through most clearly. A single ice cube opens the cherry and chocolate notes further without diluting the texture.

• Vodka Martini — the rye spice and mineral backbone stand up to dry vermouth, adding dimension beyond a typical neutral vodka Martini.
• Moscow Mule — cherry and biscuit notes play off ginger beer's bite, with the mineral finish cutting through sweetness.
• Espresso Martini — Xellent's dark chocolate and nutty undertones amplify coffee liqueur without competing for attention.

Best For

• Gifting a vodka enthusiast who values grain-forward, European-style expressions
• Side-by-side tastings comparing rye vodka against potato- or grape-based styles
• Anchoring a premium home bar with a critically acclaimed Swiss spirit
• Dinner party pours where guests expect something unexpected and conversation-worthy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Xellent taste like? Xellent delivers a semisweet, biscuity rye entry that evolves into cherry, dark chocolate, and mineral notes with a lightly spiced, dry finish. It is notably more flavorful and grain-forward than most vodkas on the market.

How does Xellent compare to Cîroc? Cîroc is a French grape-based vodka with a clean, fruity profile, while Xellent is a Swiss rye-based vodka with pronounced mineral, cherry, and nutty characteristics. Reviewers have noted Xellent carries a richer sweetness and more textural complexity than Cîroc, owing to its grain base and pot-still distillation.

Is Xellent good for sipping neat? Yes—its layered rye, cherry, and mineral profile was designed to be appreciated on its own. The 40% ABV is approachable, and the glacier water contributes a soft, rounded mouthfeel that makes neat sipping particularly rewarding.

Where is Xellent made? Xellent is produced at Distillerie Willisau in Willisau, a town in central Switzerland north of Lake Lucerne. The rye is sourced from the surrounding Napf region's alpine foothills, and the water comes from the nearby Titlis Glacier.

What foods pair well with Xellent? Smoked salmon or trout, where the mineral quality echoes the fish's brine. Swiss alpine cheeses like Gruyère complement the nutty rye notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the spirit's cocoa finish. Rye bread with cultured butter reinforces the grain character. Sushi and sashimi, where the clean minerality serves as a palate cleanser.

What sizes does Xellent come in? The standard expression is widely available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Xellent worth the price? Xellent positions as a super-premium vodka, and its Double Gold medal and Spirit Journal rating of 96–100 place it among the most critically acclaimed expressions in the category. For drinkers who find most vodkas too neutral, the rye depth and alpine minerality represent strong value at the premium tier.

Why Xellent?

Few vodkas carry the distinction of a 96–100 Spirit Journal rating and a place on Pacult's all-category top 10 list—Xellent was the only vodka to earn that recognition. The combination of alpine-grown rye, Titlis Glacier water, and a hybrid distillation process using 17 small pot stills followed by a 45-plate column still produces a spirit with genuine flavor complexity rather than the neutrality most producers pursue. In a category where differentiation is rare, Xellent offers a clear Swiss identity rooted in terroir, grain selection, and over a century of distilling tradition at Distillerie Willisau.