Here’s the story of a 10-year quest. A noble struggle waged against dark forces. And a final, glorious triumph in the form of—trumpet fanfare, please—better-tasting vodka. 

Break out your best ice cubes for Purity Vodka, a spirit of Swedish descent that doesn’t taste like other vodka. Probably because it’s not made like other vodka.

The guy behind this: he’s named Thomas, and he didn’t used to like vodka (weird, but we won’t judge). So he set out to change that. Over the next decade, he developed a proprietary copper-and-gold still, which now resides in a 13th-century castle in Sweden (nice touch). Into that still went spirit made from organic winter wheat and malted barley—which would then be distilled an unheard-of 34 times, with only the finest 10% of the distillate—the heart of the heart—being bottled.

What this means for you, the vodka drinker: well, it’s been awarded more than 100 gold medals in blind tastings. And whether you like to drink blindfolded or not, you’ll notice it’s both smooth and complex, with notes of chocolate, lime and minerals.

It’s vodka that doesn’t need to hide—it’s best in a martini or straight up.

Or in a Swedish castle.