My “Go-To” Vodkas Low, Mid, & High Priced

You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro
4:20 – Kruto Nosing
4:43 – Kruto Tasting
5:48 – Goodnight Nosing
6:10 – Goodnight Tasting
7:10 – Ketel 1 Nosing
7:48 – Ketel 1 Tasting
9:00 – Kastra Nosing
9:40 – Kastra Tasting
11:35 – Elit Nosing
11:58 – Elit Tasting
13:08 – Beluga Nosing
13:55 – Beluga Tasting

This video is just meant to showcase SOME of my favorite vodkas in the High, Mid, & Low-price categories. Remember, if you don't see your favorite vodka here, it doesn't mean it's not good enough - We'd all love to hear some great vodka suggestion in the comments! All vodkas shown were bottled at 80 proof, and here’s a few more details for them all.

Kruto “Original” (red top & label) is $16-$19 and it’s a solid Ukrainian Vodka that’s celebrated for its unique recipe perfected over 300 years by the Cossacks. This exceptional spirit is crafted in a historic 100-year-old distillery located in the heart of Ukraine. Kruto Vodka is meticulously produced from the finest Ukrainian grains and utilizes untouched, natural water sourced from a 2600-foot underground aquifer, setting it apart from other vodka premium brands. Kruto Original, our flagship offering, undergoes a rigorous distillation process nine times. Their other “higher-end” offering is called “Flawless” (blue top and label) and it’s distilled 15 times and is about $5-$8 more.

Goodnight Loving is $19-$22 and is handmade in Austin, Texas by a father & son team and community of friends who take pride in crafting an award-winning, 'Seriously Smooth' Texas vodka. It’s made with artesian spring water from the spring that runs through the family ranch deep in The Texas Hill Country. The minerals imparted to the water after it has traveled through miles of underground rock and limestone deliver a smooth and slightly sweet finish to this award-winning vodka. A study by The University of Texas at Austin determined the water in the spring is thousands of years old and the perfect PH for vodka. It truly is 'Spring to Bottle!

Ketel One is $25-$30 is carefully crafted in Holland using exclusively 100% non-GMO European wheat for smoothness and neutrality. Distilled in copper pot stills, filtered over loose charcoal and stored in lined tanks, their vodka offers a crisp, unique flavor and strong finish.

Kástra Elión is $30-$60 (the pricing is varying wildly right now) is family-owned and artisan-crafted in Greece. It’s distilled from Greek olives—picked by hand, then blended with curated grains and natural spring water from Crystalline Rock in Mount Taygetusto. It’s then rested for 30 days to produce a vodka of unparalleled smoothness and timeless sophistication. Named after the ancient castle that stands guard over the hills and olive groves of Nafpaktos, Kástra Elión combines tradition, innovation and a love for the flavors and heritage of the Mediterranean.

Elit Vodka is $45-$50 is made and bottled in Riga, Latvia and uses a new freezing filtration process described as revolutionary and upgrades the Vodka production traditions spanning hundreds of years. Using this new freezing filtration process, the spirit reaches a temperature of -18C (0.4F), meaning that all impurities free solid and can be filtered out, leaving only the purest and highest quality Vodka.

Beluga Allure is $55-$60 is made in Montenegro (a small independent country just above Greece and Albania). It’s infused with a distinctive aroma and delicate, balanced flavors, Beluga Allure mirrors the grace of polo, making it the ultimate choice for those who appreciate elegance and heritage. Two-times filtered through quartz, then triple-filtered through silver-enriched charcoal. Rested for a full 60-day period for perfect balance and refined taste.

As of March 2025, my current bottle count is over 3,000. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, I’m super proud to announce that my “Saints Alley “Nobleman” Rye Whiskey was named “Best American Rye” at Whisky Magazine’s 2024 World Whiskies Awards! But don’t forget that our other Bourbons have also won multiple big awards and are on Total Wine shelves now! Our Flagship Port & Cognac received a Double Platinum at Fred Minnick's 2024 Ascot Awards, and "The Herald” - our Armagnac finished Bourbon - took Double Gold at the Whiskies of the World competition! Given my decades of consumer/reviewer experience, you know I’m working hard to continue bringing you great whiskeys that I'm proud of as a collector, reviewer & blender! Thank you for watching & please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!