NEFT Vodka Review

NEFT Vodka is an award-winning ultra-premium Austrian vodka that comes in a unique barrel-shaped container that replicates an oil barrel.

NEFT Vodka Barrel

NEFT is the Russian word for oil and NEFT Vodka comes in a neat black or white aluminum barrel (or seasonal Pride version), shaped after an oil barrel. It was invented by a petroleum engineer so that oil workers could enjoy their vodka without the risk of glass breaking in transit.

NEFT Vodka with broken glass — The Shatter-Proof Barrel

Opening the NEFT Vodka Barrel

The barrel is opened using a twisty plastic top, a bit like a ring-pull on a can. I was warned that some people find it tricky, so much so that there’s a YouTube video showing you how to do it! The fact that it has been watched over 16,000 times probably says something.

You first pull the little ring up, like a ring-pull, which I did. You’re then supposed to wiggle the ring and slowly pull the pourer up out of the barrel. I wiggled and wiggled and the pourer barely budged. My finger also got sore, pulling on the ring, which is as tough as if it was made of metal. I wiggled some more and put more pressure on the ring, until the entire ring snapped off, leaving the pourer inside the barrel. This wasn’t a problem as the pourer still worked, though not as it was meant to.

NEFT Vodka top of barrel and cap — That Pesky Pourer!

Making NEFT Vodka

NEFT is made in Austria using four different types of local rye and is distilled in the Austrian Alps with oxygen-rich Alpine spring water. I like the fact that the company doesn’t make a big deal about the production process, apart from emphasizing the pure nature of the ingredients. The vodka is distilled three times in a copper pot still, and uses a special double-filtration process.

Storing the NEFT Barrel

The barrel is heat-resistant, portable, shatter-proof, and recyclable. It’s recommended that you store it in the fridge and serve it chilled. The barrel keeps the vodka chilled a lot longer, so it’s ideal if you want to be outside on a warm day.

Tasting NEFT Vodka

The barrel looks quite small but it does contain a full 75ml of 40% ABV vodka, and there are smaller 100cl versions available as well, if you want to try a sample first. There are also larger 1-liter barrels available.

After my struggle with opening the barrel, I was ready for a shot of vodka. On the nose the vodka is as pure as can be. There’s almost no aroma at all, perhaps a hint of vanilla sweetness and some citrus, and my wife detected a note of almonds. There’s none of that medicinal/ethanol aroma that hits you with a cheap vodka.

The experience continues as you sip the vodka. It’s luscious and thick for a good mouth-feel, and still neutral with those hints of vanilla, almond, and citrus. The finish is long and equally smooth, with just a dash of peppery spice. It’s definitely one of the best vodkas I’ve tasted in a long time. Normally I’d be horrified at the thought of putting such a smooth-sipping vodka into a cocktail, but the other good thing about NEFT Vodka is that it’s very reasonably-priced so I can tell you that it really sparked up a Vodka and Tonic, and a Vodka with Orange and Cranberry juice.

NEFT Awards

It’s not just me that’s impressed by NEFT Vodka. It’s won a batch of awards including one of the big ones: Best Vodka at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where it also picked up a Double Gold. It also got a Double Gold at the 2020 Best Tasting Spirits competition, and was awarded 98 points by The Tasting Panel magazine. Impressive stuff.