Think great vodka must be expensive? Think again. These 10 award-winning vodkas under $30 prove that excellence can be affordable and mix-worthy. Below is a brief description and detailed tasting note on these Gold Medal vodkas.
Vodka is one of the world’s most versatile and widely consumed spirits. Made in more than 200 countries, it serves as the backbone of countless cocktails and is crafted from an array of base ingredients—from potatoes to cereals, to a wide variety of fruits.
Though often described as neutral, vodka can reveal remarkable nuances in texture, aroma, and flavor depending on its base ingredients and distillation methods. While premium bottles can cost hundreds of dollars, quality doesn’t have to come at a steep price. The vodkas featured here, each retailing for $30 or less in the U.S., have all earned Gold Medals at respected international competitions. Whether you’re building a home bar or want a great pour, these selections deliver superb value and quality.
Smirnoff No. 21 Red Label, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $15
Owned by Diageo, Smirnoff was originally a Russian vodka produced in Moscow. The world’s best selling vodka, it is now made worldwide. It’s crafted from a mash bill of corn, wheat, and rye. The specific proportions aren’t disclosed and are believed to vary depending on grain prices.
Smirnoff has won numerous Gold Medals in international spirit competitions, including a Double Gold at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
The vodka is neutral and clean on the nose, featuring subtle aromas of cooked grain and vanilla. It’s smooth on the palate, with a faint cooked cereal sweetness and mild baking spice notes. The finish is fresh and crisp, with no alcohol burn, and a subtle lingering sweetness—the perfect vodka for mixed drinks when a neutral spirit is preferred.
Reyka Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $20
Reyka is distilled in Borgarnes, Iceland, using local spring water, a base of barley and wheat, and a rare Carter-Head still. It’s another perennial medalist in spirit competitions.
The vodka features a subtle citrus-forward aroma, with a soft white-pepper spiciness. It’s light, fresh, and clean on the palate, showcasing subtle cooked cereal and mild grassy sweetness. The finish is crisp and refreshing with lingering peppery notes. An outstanding vodka served ice cold, straight up.
St. George All-Purpose Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $30
The vodka is produced at St. George Spirits in Alameda, California, from a base of rectified pear brandy blended with neutral non-GMO spirit. It has won multiple Gold Medals in craft competitions, including Distillery of the Year from the American Distilling Institute’s craft spirits competition.
The vodka features a fruity-floral aroma from the pear base. It’s smooth and velvety on the palate, showcasing flavors of pear, citrus blossom, and cooked cereal. The finish is smooth, with mild, lingering spicy notes. Excellent on the rocks.
Haku Japanese Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $30
Suntory, Japan, produces Haku Vodka from a base of 100 % Japanese white rice fermented with koji. After distillation, the spirit is filtered through bamboo charcoal. The vodka has won medals at the SIP Awards and other tasting competitions.
The vodka features delicate aromas of vanilla-scented steamed rice. It’s smooth and slightly sweet on the palate, with flavors of cooked rice and a faint creamy maltiness. The finish is clean, with lingering, subtle cooked rice and a slight smokiness—a vodka for Sake lovers.
Chopin Potato Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $24
Chopin Potato Vodka is produced in Poland from a base of 100% Polish potatoes. It takes over 6 lbs. of potatoes to produce each bottle of vodka. The vodka has won numerous awards, including three Golds at the SFWSC.
The vodka features an aroma of cooked potatoes with a sweet earthiness. It’s full-bodied and creamy on the palate, showcasing flavors of buttery potato, vanilla, and soft spices. The finish is smooth, with a lingering potato sweetness—an exceptionally smooth vodka.
Chinggis Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $20
The vodka is produced by UFC Group in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Historically, Mongolian vodka was produced from milk, although Chinggis is made from a base of wheat and barley. The vodka has won numerous awards, including Double Gold at the SFWSC and Gold at Monde Selection in Brussels.
The aroma features aromas of cooked grain and cereal sweetness. It’s smooth and sweet on the palate, showcasing flavors of subtle malt sweetness, honey, and a touch of minerality. The finish is smooth and sweet, with lingering cooked cereal notes. Mongolia makes exceptional vodkas, and Chinggis is among the best!
Aspen Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $26
The vodka is produced by Aspen Distillers in Aspen, Colorado, from a base of corn and wheat with pristine Rocky Mountain water. It has won numerous awards, including a Double Gold at the SFWSC.
The vodka is crisp with faint cooked cereal aromas. It’s clean and slightly sweet with subtle flavors of cooked cereal and citrus. The finish is smooth and clean, with lingering notes of cooked cereal. Ideal for mixed drinks when you want to edge a sweet edge.
A de Fussigny, Summum Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $19
The vodka is distilled in Cognac, France, from French wheat and local spring water. Another frequent medalist, most recently winning a Double Gold at the SFWSC.
The vodka has a floral nose with lemon and baked bread notes. It’s smooth and elegant on the palate, showcasing flavors of lemon pith, toast, and cooked cereal sweetness. The finish is silky and balanced, with subtle floral potpourri notes—an ideal vodka to drink straight up.
Luksusowa Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $12
Luksusowa is a Polish potato vodka. It’s a frequent medalist at international spirit competitions.
On the nose, it features aromas of creamy mashed potato and a hint of vanilla. It’s smooth on the palate, with a sweet, creamy, buttered mashed potato nose and a touch of vanilla. The finish is sweet and smooth, with lingering potato-tinged notes. Ideal for those who like their vodka smooth and creamy.
Sobieski Vodka, 40 % ABV, 750 ml. $11
Sobieski is a Polish rye-based vodka produced by Polmos in Krakow, Poland. The use of indigenous rye varieties gives Polish vodkas a marked terroir character, differentiating them from other rye-based vodkas.
The vodka features aromas of rye bread and peppery spice. It’s crisp on the palate, showcasing flavors of crisp rye toast, black pepper/rye spices, cooked cereal, and a subtle sweetness. The finish is clean and dry, with lingering spicy and peppery notes—an excellent example of the classic Polish vodka style.
In a market overflowing with choices, these 12 vodkas stand out for their craftsmanship, balance, and award-winning pedigree—all at a budget-friendly price. Each bottle tells a unique story, from the crisp minerality of Icelandic spring water to the creamy richness of Polish potatoes. Whether you prefer your vodka neat, chilled, or stirred into a cocktail, these $30 and under picks prove that excellence and affordability can indeed go hand in hand. Keep one (or several) on hand for your next celebration—or simply your next well-made martini.