Ultimate
Vodkas
Grey Goose
France
Average price: $30-35/750mL
Yes, it's advertised ad nauseum and was developed to be a premium vodka for Americans...but it is dangerously smooth and a pleasure to drink. Made in the Cognac region of France and imported by Bacardi.
Belvedere
Poland
Average price: $30-35/750mL
Made from Rye rather than some other popular choices (wheat, potato). Sweet and pungent. A keeper.
Chopin
Poland
Average price: $30-35/750mL
A potato vodka that is distilled four times. It's got a bitter yet smooth taste and is exemplary for a dry martini.
Ultimat
Poland
Average price: $50-60/750mL
A hand-blown, crystal bottle which is an art form in itself likely jacks this one's price up. Luckily, the vodka inside is worthy of the packaging and is simply wonderful.
Vox
Netherlands
Average price: $25-35/750mL
100% wheat and distilled five times, Vox can stand toe-to-toe with some of these other choices, although it may not stand atop the heap after it's all said and done. Tasty nonetheless.
Van Gogh
Holland
Average price: $25-35/750mL
Holland has a nice little vodka industry between this and its countrymate Ketel One (see Top Shelf vodkas). The number of distillations is unknown and it's source is "multigrain," but whatever they're doing...it works.
Turi
Estonia
Average price: $30-35/750mL
Estonia? Sure, why not? Perhaps a bit harsher than some of these other selections, but still a nice drink overall.
Ciroc
France
Average price: $30-35/750mL
Distilled five times from wine grapes in southwest France, Ciroc is an odd little vodka that is bold on taste. Very smooth and enjoyable and one of the best on this list.
Level
Sweden
Average price: $30/750mL
The folks at Absolut (see Top Shelf vodkas) developed a "premium" vodka to rival that of Grey Goose and others. They've done a fine job as this is a nice, smooth drink.
