Prosperous Vodka from Cape Verde, Africa wins big at the 2023 International Wine and Spirits Competition…

Each year in London, some of the most seasoned palates in the alcohol industry come together to sample through thousands of liquid entries from across the globe. The event is called the International Wine and Spirits Competition and the annual results, when published, can make or break a brand.

We’ve continually reported on IWSC winners across the various subcategories of whisky: scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye. But now it’s time to look at what those judges had to say of the vodka space. Because there’s one release in particular that was quite unexpected.

The bottle in question is Prosperous Vodka, crafted by the Kriol Distillery. What makes it so noteworthy? Well, for starters it earned an incredible score of 99 out of 100. That’s enough to set it apart as not only the highest rated vodka at the competition, but also one of the highest rated spirits across all categories. No entry received a perfect 100, and only 10 expressions in total matched it at 99 points.

Significantly, the point of origin of Prosperous makes it unique. It is a product by Kriol Distillery, located just on the outskirts of Praia – the capital of Cabo Verde. Those familiar with geography would recognize this as a small island country situated approximately 350 miles from the west coast of Africa. But it’s rare to find those who associate this region with premium vodka.

It’s about time we altered that perception. The judges at IWSC vouch for the extraordinary spirits produced in this part of the world. Consider the lavish acclaim showered upon Prosperous:

“The aroma of bread is quite attractive. The palate enjoys a hint of heat from the spice, balanced nicely with a satisfactory grain foundation. It has a pleasant texture and is quite a delight to drink.”

Undoubtedly, these detailed tasting notes challenge the general consensus that labels this style of spirit as “flavorless”. What sets Prosperous apart is that it is distilled from a unique type of wheat, imparting a certain soft creaminess and the captivating aroma of bread. In contrast, renowned American vodka brands like Smirnoff and Tito’s are all made from corn derivatives.

From a legal perspective, vodka can be produced from virtually any component. It’s crucial to bear this in mind when browsing your local liquor store’s shelves. It is not necessary that exceptional instances originate from traditionally recognized regions like Eastern Europe, where climates are colder.

Surprisingly, world-class vodka can be found in bottles from all corners of the world—ranging from Japan to Southern Argentina. And indeed, from unlikely tropical destinations such as Cabo Verde.

Finding Prosperous in the US isn’t particularly cumbersome. It has a fairly vast distribution here. It can be easily identified on shelves with its representation of the mountainous landscape of its home country, depicted in blue. It retails for approximately $35, making it an excellent base for a vodka martini.

Keep an eye out for more winners from the annual IWSC competition, which will be announcing its 2024 rankings later this spring.

Ruins of the Cidade Velha, a fortified Portugese citadel on the island of Santiago, where Portugese …[+] colonists docked in 1460. The city was called Ribeira Grande (the Big Valley). Former capital and origin of Cape Verdian history, the town lies 12 km from Praia, in an oasis protected by the Saint Filipe fortress. (Photo by michel Setboun/Corbis via Getty Images)