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Skyy Vodka vs Smirnoff – Comparing Two of the Best Recognized Vodka Brands

Charl Joost
Last Updated: February 27th, 2023

Skyy Vodka is an American vodka spirit produced by Campari America. Smirnoff, however, is a British vodka spirit owned by Diageo. Skyy vodka is listed among the 15 best vodkas in the world, ranked at number 13 by Luxe Digital.

Vodka is a clear distilled alcohol, with the main varieties originating in Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Vodka is traditionally made with water and ethanol, but some specific types may include impurities and flavorings.

Vodka can be used as a base in many different drinks including martinis and other cocktails and mixed drinks.

Skyy Vodka vs Smirnoff

Skyy Vodka was established in 1992 by Maurice Kanbar. Kanbar claims Skyy Vodka is almost entirely congener free. Congeners are undesirable substances that are produced during the production of vodka.

Due to Skyy Vodka having almost no congeners, it is said to be cleaner and safer as opposed to other vodka brands.

Skyy Vodka is 40% ABV (alcohol by volume), however, this can differ depending on the country it is being sold in. In Australia and New Zealand, Skyy Vodka is 37,5% ABV and 43% in South Africa.

Skyy Infusions were launched in 2008, now selling 17 flavors of vodka made with fruit infusions.

skyy vodka

Smirnoff Vodka was established in the 1860s by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov and is now sold in over 130 countries. Since its establishment, Smirnoff is now owned by Diageo, a multinational company that also owns Bells’ Whiskey as well as Johnnie Walker. In 2014, Smirnoff was ranked as the best-selling vodka in the world.

Smirnoff vodka is produced using a traditional method of distillation developed by Pyotr. Smirnoff includes a wide range of infused flavors including a range of berries and citrus, as well as marshmallow and vanilla.

smirnoff bottle

How Are They Made?

Skyy Vodka claims to be the world’s first premium American vodka. It is quadruple-distilled, and triple filtered, adding to the perception of it being a cleaner vodka as opposed to competitors. As previously stated, vodka is generally produced using mainly water and ethanol.

Ethanol is purchased in bulk and is then mixed with filtered and deionized water, after which flavor is added. Deionizing refers to the process of purifying water by removing mineral ions such as sodium, copper, and sulfate.

Smirnoff Vodka is produced using a unique distillation process created by founder Smirnov. Smirnoff Vodka goes through a process involving three distillations and ten stages of filtration. This process is used to keep the vodka pure and clear, ensuring the final response is smooth.

The grain used to produce Smirnoff Vodka is corn. The corn is fermented and filtered through charcoal to purify it. The water used by Smirnoff Vodka in the production of the beverage is primarily mountain water.

Mountain water is purified through its movement through rock and stone that is free of impurities. This water contains the natural minerals that are required to keep one’s body healthy.

What Skyy Vodka and Smirnoff are made of

Skyy Vodka uses purified, deionized water and locally grown grains. Winter wheat grown in America is fermented and distilled four times through column stills.

This fermented wheat is then blended with purified water from Lake Ladoga. This combined mixture is then filtered four times through charcoal to remove any final impurities.

Smirnoff Vodka is produced by combining mountain water and fermented corn to produce the result. Smirnoff Vodka is then differentiated by having flavors infused into the result to create unique flavors.

Ingredients such as botanicals and fruits are steeped and then infused into the vodka to create a range of flavors.

How Are Smirnoff and Skyy Vodka Similar?

Skyy Vodka and Smirnoff are both 40% ethanol and 60% distilled water. Although the ethanol is produced differently (wheat-based ethanol and corn-based ethanol respectively), both brands use similar amounts of ethanol in the production of Vodka.

Similarly, both brands use 60% distilled water in their vodka production, however, the process of purifying the water differs.

Both brands have a range of flavor-infused vodkas, with most flavor sources coming from botanicals and fruits.

Variations of Smirnoff vs Skyy Vodka

Main Comparison

Smirnoff Vodka

  • Production area = Primarily Britain
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV) = 35%
  • Taste = Notes of black pepper, vanilla, grain, and citrus
  • Average price (1 litre) = $10,99 – $17,99
  • Color = Colorless and clear

Skyy Vodka

  • Production area = Pekin Illinois
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV) = 40% (37,5% in New Zealand and Australia, 43% in South Africa)
  • Taste = Refined, no traces of bitterness
  • Average price (1 litre) = $15,99 – $19,99
  • Color = Colorless and clear

Variations of Skyy Vodka vs Smirnoff Vodka

Smirnoff

Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka

  • Size = 750 ml
    • Price = $8,99 – $14,99
    • Proof = 80
  • Size = 1 liter
    • Price = $10,99 – $17,99
    • Proof = 80
  • Size = 1,75 liter
    • Price = $16,99 – 19,99
    • Proof = 80

Smirnoff 90 Proof Vodka

  • Size = 750ml
    • Price = $12,99 – $16,99
    • Proof = 90
  • Size = 1,75 liter
    • Price = $19,99 – $24,99
    • Proof = 90

Smirnoff 100 Proof Vodka

  • Size = 750ml
    • Price = $13,99 – $16,98
    • Proof = 100
  • Size = 1,75 liter
    • Price = $19,99 – $29,98
    • Proof = 100

Smirnoff Raspberry

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Green Apple

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Strawberry

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Citrus

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Peach

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Cherry

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Blueberry

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Mango

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Lime

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Orange

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Cranberry

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Vanilla

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Whipped Cream

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Pineapple

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Watermelon

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $9,47 – $11,99
  • Proof = 70

Smirnoff Sours

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $8,99 – $31,09
  • Proof = 60

Smirnoff Sorbet

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $8,99 – $31,09
  • Proof = 60

Smirnoff Sourced

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $8,99 – $31,09
  • Proof = 60

Smirnoff offers a wide range of flavors and has a range of prices depending on the demand in a particular area of sale.

Skyy Vodka

Skyy Vodka Original

  • Size = 750ml
    • Price = $9,99 – $16,99
    • Proof = 80
  • Size = 1 liter
    • Price = $15,99 – $19,99
    • Proof = 80
  • Size = 1,75 liter
    • Price = $19,99 – $24,99
    • Proof = 80

Skyy Infusions Pineapple

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Wild Strawberry

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Dragon Fruit

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Raspberry

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Cherry

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Georgia Peach

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Moscato Grape

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Blood Orange

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Infusions Citrus

  • Size = 750ml
  • Price = $11,99 – $16,99
  • Proof = 70

Skyy Vodka is considered a premium brand of vodka, hence the price is higher than the average market price.

How To Drink Skyy Vodka vs Smirnoff

Smirnoff Vodka goes well with mixers, Coca-Cola, lemonade, soda water, and grapefruit juice. A delicious Vodka Cranberry can be made using a double shot of Smirnoff, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice.

Mix the ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice, then pour into a frosted cocktail glass. For a nice presentation, rub the rim of the glass with orange zest.

Skyy Vodka is best mixed with soda water, juice (pineapple or grapefruit), ginger beer, and lemonade.

A screwdriver is a popular drink made with Skyy Vodka. Add 2 ounces of Skyy vodka and 3 ounces of orange juice to a shaker, shake the ingredients with ice and pour into a rocks glass with ice.

To add to the presentation of the drink, garnish with fresh mint leaves or an orange slice.

Both Smirnoff and Skyy vodka can be consumed straight, served either on the rocks in a glass with ice, or as a shot.

Alternatives to Skyy Vodka vs Smirnoff

Absolut Vodka is a good alternative to Skyy Vodka. Priced at an average price of $19, this vodka is made of winter wheat, and is offered in 80 proof. This Swedish vodka is produced using locally sourced wheat.

Byproducts from production are repurposed as animal food, for those who are more environmentally conscious.

Grey Goose, a French vodka brand, is produced using soft wheat and is considered a premium vodka. It is priced at $35 on average and is offered in 80 proof, making it pricier than Skyy Vodka but a good alternative nonetheless.

The beverage was named the best-tasting vodka in the world in 1998.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is an American vodka that, like Smirnoff, is produced using fermented corn. It is offered in 80 proof at an average price of $20.

While Tito’s costs approximately $7 more than Smirnoff, the higher cost comes from the old-fashioned production of vodka similar to how French cognacs and scotches are made.

New Amsterdam is also an American vodka, that is ranked as a budget vodka, priced at $12 on average. This vodka is produced using fermented corn and is offered in both 70 and 80 proof.

This vodka is ideal for cocktails; however, the brand claims it can be drunk straight due to how smooth it is.

FAQs

Smirnoff Vodka was produced roughly 132 years before Skyy Vodka, having originated in Russia.

Smirnoff has a more notable taste than Skyy, and with their 100-proof offerings, can be considered stronger than Skyy.

The List ranks Smirnoff higher than Skyy vodka, with their respective rankings being 7 and 10.

Main Comparison

Smirnoff Vodka Skyy Vodka
Production Area Primarily Britain Pekin Illinois
Alcohol by Volume (ABV) 35% 40% (37,5% in New Zealand and Australia, 43% in South Africa)
Taste Notes of black pepper, vanilla, grain, and citrus Refined, no traces of bitterness
Average Price (1 liter) $10,99 – $17,99 $15,99 – $19,99
Color Colorless and clear Colorless and clear

Variations of Skyy Vodka vs Smirnoff

Smirnoff

Size Price Proof
Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka 750ml $9,99 – $16,99 80
1 liter $15,99 – $19,99 80
1,75 liter $19,99 – $24,99 80
Smirnoff 90 Proof Vodka 750ml $12,99 – $16,99 90
1,75ml $19,99 – $24,99 90
Smirnoff 100 Proof Vodka 750ml $13,99 – $16,98 100
1,75 liter $19,99 – $29,98 100
Smirnoff Cherry 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Blueberry 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Mango 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Lime 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Orange 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Cranberry 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Raspberry 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Green Apple 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Strawberry 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Citrus 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Peach 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Vanilla 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Whipped Cream 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Pineapple 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Watermelon 750ml $9,47 – $11,99 70
Smirnoff Sours 750ml $8,99 – $31,09 60
Smirnoff Sorbet 750ml $8,99 – $31,09 60
Smirnoff Sourced 750ml $8,99 – $31,09 60

Smirnoff offers a wide range of flavors and has a range of prices depending on the demand in a particular area of sale.

Skyy Vodka

Size Price Proof
Skyy Vodka Original 750ml $9,99 – $16,99 80
1 liter $15,99 – $19,99 80
1,75 liter $19,99 – $24,99 80
Skyy Infusions Pineapple 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Wild Strawberry 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Dragon Fruit 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Raspberry 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Cherry 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Georgia Peach 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Moscato Grape 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Blood Orange 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70
Skyy Infusions Citrus 750ml $11,99 – $16,99 70

Skyy Vodka is considered a premium brand of vodka, hence the price is higher than the average market price.

About The Author

Charl Joost

Charl is a trainer, public speaker, and professional writer. While he has been coached to niche down, he has many passions. These include golf, gardening, technology, and a decent cup of coffee or two. Charl loves to learn about new products and tries everything he writes about.

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