Angry Giraffe and Verità vodkas win top honors at 2025 International Bartender Spirits Awards

At the 2025 International Bartender Spirits Awards, two vodkas earned top recognition from a panel of leading American bartenders. Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka was named Vodka of the Year, while Verità Vodka Italiana received the award for Best Spirit by Value. Both brands have previously won medals at international spirits competitions and are now being highlighted for their quality, craftsmanship, and value.

Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka is produced in small batches at Twin Stills Moonshine Distillery in Speonk, New York. The vodka is made from locally sourced grain and distilled four times to achieve clarity and smoothness. The brand draws inspiration from both South Africa’s landscapes and New York’s energy, with its name referencing a hand-carved giraffe that symbolizes individuality and charm. Priced at $24.99 for a 750 ml bottle, Angry Giraffe presents a crystal-clear appearance with a clean, neutral aroma. Tasting notes describe it as smooth and creamy on the palate, with subtle sweetness and faint peppery spice. The finish is long and crisp, leaving hints of vanilla and gentle warmth.

Verità Vodka Italiana is crafted in San Pietro di Feletto, located in Italy’s Veneto region. Produced by Distilleria dell'Alpe, a family-owned distillery with a long tradition in grappa and other spirits, Verità uses 100% Italian wheat and pure mountain spring water from the Alps. The vodka undergoes three distillation cycles for purity before a final distillation in an antique wood-fired bain-marie still. This traditional method is said to impart unique character and smoothness to the spirit. Unlike many vodkas, Verità is not chill-filtered, which preserves its natural flavors. The result is a vodka that is clean and crisp on the nose with subtle grain notes and minerality. On the palate, it is smooth and silky with a creamy texture and natural sweetness from the wheat. The finish is clean, refreshing, and leaves a gentle warmth. A 750 ml bottle retails for $25.

The International Bartender Spirits Awards are recognized as one of the most respected competitions in the spirits industry. Judged by experienced bartenders and industry professionals, the awards focus on quality, innovation, value, and craftsmanship across various spirit categories including vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila.

Both Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka and Verità Vodka Italiana have been praised for their balance of quality and affordability. Their recognition at this year’s competition highlights their appeal not only to bartenders but also to consumers seeking premium spirits at reasonable prices. These vodkas are recommended for enjoying neat, on the rocks, or as part of cocktails, offering versatility for both home bars and professional settings.

The awards ceremony took place earlier this month in San Francisco, drawing entries from around the world. Organizers noted that this year’s competition saw an increase in submissions from craft distilleries as well as established brands. Judges evaluated each entry based on blind tastings that considered aroma, flavor profile, mouthfeel, finish, packaging design, and overall value.

Industry observers say that recognition from the International Bartender Spirits Awards can boost a brand’s reputation among both trade professionals and consumers. For Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka and Verità Vodka Italiana, these honors are expected to increase demand in bars, restaurants, and retail stores across the United States.

As summer begins and cocktail season gets underway across the country, these two vodkas are likely to be featured more prominently on drink menus nationwide. Bartenders who participated in the judging process emphasized that both brands deliver consistent quality whether served straight or mixed into classic or contemporary cocktails.

The growing interest in premium yet affordable spirits reflects broader trends in American drinking culture. Consumers are increasingly seeking out products that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern production techniques while offering good value for money.

With their recent accolades at one of the industry’s most respected competitions, Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka from New York and Verità Vodka Italiana from Italy are positioned as leading choices for vodka enthusiasts this year. Their success at the 2025 International Bartender Spirits Awards underscores their status among America’s top bartenders as some of the best vodkas available today.