[MrWookie]

My go-to vodka is Fris, and I've long touted it on these boards. It's not too expensive, and it's quality is solid. It's one of the best buys in vodka. Using a vodka more expensive than this one for any drink in which vodka is not the primary ingredient is pretty much a waste of money. The quality of the vodka just doesn't show through, say, cranberry juice to warrant plunking down half a C note. Compared to vodkas in the same price range, I prefer it to Skyy, Absolut, and Smirnoff.

A good step up from that is Rain. It'll run you a few more bucks, but I could notice a slight step up in quality from the Fris. That says something. Many of my friends prefer Fris to Grey Goose (even w/o cost considerations), although I haven't run Rain by them yet. This is a good one for cocktails or drinking straight.

The other vodkas that get mentioned by people whose alcohol advice I respect in this forum are most notably Hangar One, and also Ketel One, Chopin, and Belvedere. A pretty good idea is to not really listen to the alcohol advice of anyone who touts Grey Goose. In case you didn't know, this is an over-priced and over-marketed vodka for which the reputation far exceeds its actual quality. Definitely look elsewhere.