Ketel One is my go-to vodka for cocktails. It may not be on the level of Stolichnaya Elit or Absolut Elyx, in terms of smoothness, but it's close and you can get it for nearly half the price. The nose features lemon zest and a bit of wheat. The palate is light, but there is some vanilla and grain notes, with a bit of sweetness. The finish is short, with a touch of pepper, but overall very smooth. Ketel One in my area is often even cheaper when you buy the 1.75L size and so it's the first one I reach for when making it cocktails. The only vodkas that I would consider replacing this with would be Absolut or Sobieski. At 750ml those two are a touch cheaper, but I don't often find the large size. Either way, it's hard to go wrong with any of those three.