The Singapore World Spirits Competition has just compiled its annual list of top tipples across all major categories of adult beverage. And we’ve landed the exclusive results before anyone else. Last week we revealed what bottle of bourbon the prestigious panel of judges selected as the best on the planet. Now it’s time to see what the “Lion City” had to say about the ultimate vodka.
But first a little refresh on the contest itself. Founded in 2019 by the Tasting Alliance, the Singapore World Spirits Competition initially focused on booze produced and consumed in the Asia Pacific region. In the subsequent years it has expanded to envelop a more global perspective. Though virtually all of its judges—and a large percentage of the thousands of entries they sip through—do hail from this general corner of the globe. Nowadays, it’s counted among the top spirit tastings therein.
Which brings us to the Best In Show Vodka, as ordained by the 2024 Singapore panelists. While they didn’t opt for an expression from Asia, the winner does come from Oceania. It’s Pluto Vodka, from the scenic Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. The 80-proof liquid is crafted by its eponymous distiller out of 100% organic Australian sugarcane. That unique ingredient is also cool-fermented, allowing for a more expressive type of liquid after a 10x distillation process.
What pours from the bottle holds a subtle sweetness, as you might suspect. But an equally alluring component of the sip is a rich body that almost evokes coconut cream. It noses with more of the same. These characteristics undoubtedly curried favor with the judges in Singapore. And they’re not the only ones to be wooed accordingly. Just last year alone, Pluto Spirits collected a Master Medal at the Global. Vodka Masters to go along with a Best Vodka accolade at the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards 2023.
Pluto batch distills its vodka with zero additives and sells it for around $68 AUD (about $46 USD). For $10 more, they’ll ship it anywhere across Australia. The only hitch is that they’re not distributing in the United States—yet. Given the brand’s recent run of success, you might soon see Pluto products gracing American shelves. In addition to the vodka, the distillery also makes a gin and a pair of tasty rums. So keep an eye out for all of that.
In the meantime, we’ll be back in the days ahead with a few more newly-crowned champions out of Singapore. Keep it parked here to be the first to know.
Seagulls, Victor Harbor, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, Australia.