A gold bottle with a distinct silhouette has been turning heads on bar shelves and social media feeds. But behind the flashy exterior sits a spirit that claims to be the UK’s best-selling vodka while carrying a lower alcohol content than many traditional competitors.
Distillation cycles: 5 times · Alcohol content: 35.2% ABV · Claimed position: UK’s best selling vodka · Starting price (Ireland): €39.99 · Bottle design: Gold bottle
Quick snapshot
- 5 times distilled (AU Vodka Europe)
- 35.2% ABV (CapitalReporter business profile)
- UK’s best selling vodka (per brand claim) (The Grocer trade publication)
- Launched in 2015 in Swansea (The Grocer trade publication)
- Exact ownership details and celebrity involvement (The Grocer trade publication)
- Independent ranking among top-shelf vodkas (The Grocer trade publication)
- Nutritional and ingredient transparency (The Grocer trade publication)
- 2015: Founded by Morgan and Quinn (The Grocer trade publication)
- 2021: RTD cans launch; sales surged from £700k to £38m (The Grocer trade publication)
- 2024: Off-trade sales grew 71.3% to £41m (The Grocer trade publication)
- Continued expansion of flavoured range and RTD offerings (The Grocer trade publication)
- Potential US market growth via flavored vodka collection (AU Vodka USA)
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Au Vodka |
| Type | Ultra premium flavoured vodka |
| Distillation | 5 times |
| ABV | 35.2% |
| Available flavours | Black Grape, Juicy Peach, Blue Raspberry, and more |
| Price (Ireland 70cl) | €39.99 – €50.99 |
| Claimed market position | UK’s best selling vodka |
Is Au Vodka Any Good?
What do user reviews say?
- Trustpilot reviews commonly praise flavor quality but also note delivery delays, damaged items, and customer-service resolution issues (Trustpilot consumer review platform).
- An independent tasting described Au Vodka as “smoother than expected but not a first-choice neat sipper,” with a sweet vanilla aroma (Vodka Guy spirits review blog).
How does it compare to premium vodkas?
- Standard vodkas like Grey Goose and Belvedere are bottled at 40% ABV, while Au Vodka sits at 35.2% ABV (Wikipedia Vodka overview).
- Many traditional vodkas are distilled four times; Au Vodka claims five distillations (AU Vodka Europe).
The gap in alcohol content and the focus on sweet, flavoured profiles suggest Au Vodka targets mixology and social drinking rather than the connoisseur’s neat sip.
Lower ABV means fewer calories per serving, but also a thinner mouthfeel that purists may not appreciate. For buyers in the UK and Ireland, the price—€39.99–€50.99—lands squarely in super-premium territory despite the lower alcohol content.
What Makes Au Vodka Special?
The distillation process
- Au Vodka is marketed as “5 times distilled” on its European storefronts (AU Vodka Europe).
- The brand describes the spirit as ultra-premium flavoured vodka, suggesting a charcoal or multi-column process (AU Vodka UK).
Gold bottle design
- The iconic gold bottles are a deliberate premium-shelf differentiator. The brand invests heavily in packaging to stand out in retail settings.
Flavour range
- Au Vodka offers a wide range of flavoured variants: Black Grape, Bubblegum, Strawberry Burst, Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Pink Lemonade, Pineapple Crush, and Green Watermelon across regional storefronts (AU Vodka UK).
- Limited editions such as Toasted Marshmallow have also been released (YouTube product showcase).
The sheer variety of flavours is the brand’s main draw. But independent tastings note that some profiles, like Blue Raspberry and Fruit Punch, are “extremely sweet with a very basic flavour profile” (Vodka Guy spirits review blog).
The implication: Au Vodka’s flavour range drives its social-media appeal, but candy-like profiles may disappoint drinkers expecting nuanced spirits.
Is Au Vodka Top Shelf?
Price positioning vs competitors
The table below shows how Au Vodka stacks up against established premium vodka brands on key metrics.
| Product | ABV | Distillation | Price (70cl UK) | Flavours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Au Vodka | 35.2% | 5 times | ~€39.99–€50.99 | 8+ fruit flavours |
| Grey Goose | 40% | 5 times | ~£35–£44 | Limited flavoured range |
| Belvedere | 40% | 4 times | ~£30–£40 | Select flavoured variants |
Three products, one pattern: Au Vodka matches Grey Goose on distillation count but trails on ABV—a meaningful gap for those who judge quality by proof.
Tasting notes
- Reviewers note a sweet vanilla aroma and a “moreish character” overall, but the flavoured editions are described as candy-like (Vodka Guy spirits review blog).
- The Original 70cl is available alongside flavoured variants (AU Vodka UK).
Awards
- The brand claims award-winning status, but specific competition details are not publicly listed on its own site or independent review pages.
The price tag places Au Vodka in the super-premium bracket, yet the lower ABV and mixed tasting notes raise the question of whether it competes on substance or style. For shelf appeal, it wins. For a classic neat-drinking experience, it likely falls short.
Au Vodka’s standard 35.2% ABV places it below the EU minimum of 37.5% for spirits labelled as vodka—though the brand markets itself as a flavoured vodka, which can have lower ABV. Consumers in Ireland and the UK should check the bottle: if it’s marketed as ‘vodka’ in the EU, it may technically be below the legal threshold for plain vodka (Wikipedia Vodka regulations).
Who Owns Au Vodka?
Brand ownership
- Au Vodka was founded in 2015 in Swansea, Wales, by Charlie Morgan and David Quinn (The Grocer trade publication).
- The brand is privately held; no public filings detail current ownership structure beyond the founders.
Celebrity involvement
- Despite frequent speculation, no official source confirms a celebrity owner. Social media mentions and influencer partnerships are common, but no star has been named as a stakeholder in published reports.
The founders have kept ownership closely held, and claims of celebrity backing remain unsupported by verifiable evidence.
Is Au Vodka Actually Vodka?
Definition of vodka
- Traditional vodka is a distilled spirit with a minimum ABV of 37.5% in the EU and 40% in the US (Wikipedia Vodka definition).
Distillation standards
- Au Vodka’s abv of 35.2% is below these thresholds, but it is labelled as a flavoured vodka, which can have a lower alcohol content under many jurisdictions.
Ingredients
- The brand does not publicly list ingredients or nutritional information. However, flavoured vodkas typically contain added sugars, flavourings, and sometimes sweeteners.
Legally, Au Vodka qualifies as a “flavoured vodka” rather than pure vodka. The lower ABV and sweet profiles align it more with liqueurs than with classic grain vodkas. For shoppers in Ireland and the UK, reading the label is essential: if it says “flavoured vodka spirit drink,” it’s not technically vodka.
Buyers expecting a traditional vodka experience at a premium price may be disappointed. The target audience is clearly the younger, flavour-first crowd who want a party-friendly spirit in a flashy bottle—not the cocktail purist reaching for a Martini.
Confirmed facts
- 5 times distilled (AU Vodka Europe)
- 35.2% ABV (CapitalReporter business profile)
- Gold bottle design
- UK’s best selling vodka claim (The Grocer trade publication)
- Founded 2015 in Swansea (The Grocer trade publication)
What’s unclear
- Exact ownership details and celebrity investor names
- Independent ranking among top-shelf vodkas
- Nutritional and ingredient transparency
- Specific distillery location
“Smoother than expected but not a first-choice neat sipper. Sweet vanilla aroma and a moreish character.”
— Vodka Guy spirits review blog Source
“Great flavour but delivery was delayed and the bottle arrived damaged. Customer service took three days to respond.”
— Trustpilot consumer review platform Source
“AU Vodka’s off-trade sales swelled 71.3% to £41m for the 52 weeks to 21 April 2024.”
— The Grocer trade publication Source
For buyers in the UK and Ireland considering a flavoured vodka, Au Vodka offers visual appeal and broad flavour choice. But the lower ABV, mixed reviews on taste, and lack of independent awards suggest the hype may outpace the product. If you’re looking for a sweet mixer in a gold bottle that sparks conversation, it delivers. If you want a classic top-shelf sipping vodka, you’ll likely find better value elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
What flavours does Au Vodka come in?
Au Vodka offers a wide range: Black Grape, Bubblegum, Strawberry Burst, Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Pink Lemonade, Pineapple Crush, and Green Watermelon, plus limited editions like Toasted Marshmallow (AU Vodka UK).
Where can I buy Au Vodka?
It is sold via the brand’s own websites (UK, Europe, USA) and through retailers including Molloys in Ireland and various supermarkets. Check the regional storefront for availability (AU Vodka Europe).
How many calories are in Au Vodka?
Calorie information is not published by the brand. Given the 35.2% ABV and added flavourings, a 25ml serving likely contains roughly 55–65 calories, similar to a standard shot of 40% vodka. This is an estimate.
Is Au Vodka gluten free?
Most vodkas are gluten free after distillation. Au Vodka does not list ingredients, but distilled spirits generally contain no gluten. Those with coeliac disease should contact the manufacturer directly for confirmation.
How should I serve Au Vodka?
Au Vodka is best served as a mixer—with soda water, fruit juice, or in cocktails. Its flavoured varieties work well in highballs, vodka lemonades, and party punches. For a simple serve: pour over ice with tonic and garnish with fresh fruit.
What is the price of Au Vodka in the US?
US pricing is not consistently available from the provided data. The US storefront (AU Vodka USA) lists flavoured vodka but does not display prices without login. Expect a premium price similar to the €39.99–€50.99 range seen in Ireland.
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Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.