Best budget vodka on the North American market?

[yllus]

As I enter the twilight years of my late twenties, I find my tastes beginning to refine. In the realm of alcohol, I've started to wonder if is a superior vodka I could be purchasing over the default choice of Smirnoff Red (or if I'm feeling cheap, Polar Ice).

The purpose of the vodka would primarily be to be mixed into something else - orange juice, cranberry juice, whatever. The price range is $25 - $45. Any recommendations?

At the moment, I am considering trying Youri Dolgoruki. It appears to be quadruple-distilled. Another option is Tito's Handmade Vodka, though it seems to be harder to locate in this city.

A tip of my own in return for reading this far: Skip restocking your wet bar with Bacardi next time you're at the liquor store and try Flor De Cana 5-Year Old Rum. To quote Wikipedia:

Flor De Caña is renowned as one of the best rums in Latin America, having won more than 100 international awards since 2000 and has been the most award-winning rum brand during this period. It has captured gold, silver, and bronze medals and has received high recommendations from wine and liquor enthusiasts.

 

[Gibsons]

Tito's is great for the price.

 

[Corporate Thug]

http://www.klwines.com/detail....034&cid=TPV-Googlebase

 

[nageov3t]

smirnoff is my generic mixing vodka of choice.

 

[zerocool84]

The Kirkland Signature (Costco House Brand) isn't bad at all and cheap for how much you get.

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

Tito's and Costco brand are both good, also russian standard is pretty cheap and good quality

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
The Kirkland Signature (Costco House Brand) isn't bad at all and cheap for how much you get.

Kirkland is excellent. My primary shot vodka. If I'm really feeling capital, I'll bust out the chopin.

 

[LikeLinus]

Stoli

</end thread>

 

[yllus]

Hmm. I will add Ketel One and Chopin.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: Gibsons
Tito's is great for the price.

Tito's, hands down. It's my most favorite period.

 

[xanis]

Vlad - The poor college student's vodka of choice. It runs about $13 for a handle.

 

[weflyhigh]

vladimir

crown russe

gordons

and

smirnoff for girls

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: weflyhigh
vladimir

crown russe

gordons

and

smirnoff for girls

I knew someone else would suggest Vlad!

 

[rocadelpunk]

nobody has mentioned svedka?

 

[Vic]

If you're gonna mix, just buy Smirnoff or Stoli. Those are what vodka is supposed to taste like anyway.

 

[JaYp146]

Svedka, Luksosowa (potato based), and Ketel One all get my vote for budget vodkas.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Vodka all tastes the same, some just have a little after taste. Its meant to taste like rubbing alcohol and I bet noone here could determine their "favorite" from a blind taste test.

 

[gar3555]

smirnoff is my vodka of choice, but I usually pick absolut peppar b/c nothin beats the pepper flavored vodka.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Stoli

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[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Vic
If you're gonna mix, just buy Smirnoff or Stoli. Those are what vodka is supposed to taste like anyway.

This. Stoli and Smirnoff are surprisingly good, especially given the price (~$15 for 750mL around here).

 

[jeffrey]

The purpose of the vodka would primarily be to be mixed into something else - orange juice, cranberry juice, whatever.

Smirnoff Red is a perfectly acceptable choice for your purpose.


If you start spending ~$45/bottle at least try a shot, chill a shot, or make a vodka & tonic with it.

 

[kstu]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Stoli

</end thread>

 

[adairusmc]

Hood River Distillery (HRD).

 

[trmiv]

For mixing I like Seagram's Vodka. Pretty cheap, and tastes fine mixed.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
The Kirkland Signature (Costco House Brand) isn't bad at all and cheap for how much you get.

I wasn't overly impressed with it.

Skyy is better...and cheaper.