Any Grey Goose snobs out there?

[rdangelo]

There was a fascinating news piece a couple years ago about the power of marketing and "snob appeal", for lack of a better term. They gathered a bunch of vodka drinkers and had them taste-test some vodkas. They were those "I never drink anything except Grey Goose" types. Well, you guessed it, after their beloved bird finished last, and even after they tried it in mixed drinks to be fair (because who drinks vodka straight up?) and it STILL finished last, it blew my mind how many people in the survey still stubbornly insisted that they would still drink the stuff.

Vodka is supposed to be defined as colorless, odorless and tasteless, so why should it matter anyway?

Anybody care to speak to that from experience?

 

[Chaucer]

Vodka is not tasteless,esp if it's Standart from Russia. Slight chill, no ice and down the hatch. Alternate with Zakuski. Then try to stand up!

 

[Groat]

From Wikipedia:

Grey Goose was designed for the American market in 1997 by Sidney Frank, a self-made billionaire. After the advent of the premium vodka market by rival Polish vodka brand Belvedere vodka in 1996, his concept was to create a high quality vodka for Americans. He took the idea from the notion of French manufacturing having an inherent link with high perceived quality, quickly dispatching a team to Europe. Grey Goose was created as a result.

Now take that as you will. I think that Grey Goose is OK but far too expensive to purchase for myself. There are a multitude of Vodkas around ~$18 a bottle that I actually enjoy better. I find that the quality difference between a moderately priced and high priced bottle of Vodka is far less than say, a bottle of Tequila or Scotch.

 

[Edcculus]

I really only mix vodka, so I pretty much look for the cheapest vodka that doesn't taste like rocket fuel.

 

[TonyH]

I think I have 3-4 bottles of vodka hanging around, and the Goose is the dustiest.

 

[Argonaut]

I buy Tvarski 100, I've had topshelf and apparently don't have the ability to tell the difference. Other than missing cash out of my wallet.

 

[omazzoni]

I drink vodka on the rocks. I will tell you that from my experience that all vodka's have a similar smell. Of course their color is all the same, but that no two vodka brands taste the same, ever. Grey Goose, for the price, is sub par. I do not prefer its taste. Smirnoff is not smooth enough. It has a bitter sting at the end. Taaka is the worst vodka in the world. Absolut is drinkable, but still pales in comparison to something like Ketel One, which is usually my preference. Price-wise, Ketel One is absolutely the best vodka for your money. Even Stoli is quite unpalatable in comparison, for the price. I would put stoli in the Smirnoff category of taste--it's too harsh. There is a new vodka that is excellent for the price. I believe it is called Sobieski....You can buy twice as much Sobieski for the price of Ketel one. Sobieski is very good. In a one on one taste test, I still prefer Ketel One for taste, but the difference is probably undetectable to an untrained palate. I was a server for one of the finest restaurants in New Orleans for a time, and I developed a pretty advanced palate for the nuances in vodka. Also, I have a large nose that is can detect smells that most people are immune to. I think that helps me in taste discernment. For most people once you get to the Smirnoff level of vodka, which is to say vodka over $16, the differences for them aren't much. And more to the point, if you are mixing vodka with anything other than ice, this is a totally moot point. The only caveat I would add to that, is that Taaka is the worst vodka ever made and it is still horrible with any mixer. Barf worthy indeed.

-Otto

 

[omazzoni]

Oh, I almost forgot. I've never had belvedere because I figure that you're probably just paying for the pretty bottle, and I refuse to do it, because Grey Goose was a total waste of money the one time I bought it. I will tell you, however, that Finlandia is actually quite good for the money. Svedka is terrible, however, in my opinion.

 

[evandood]

I keep Absolut for mixing and I have Ketel one for a relative who likes his on the rocks. I usually make Vodka tonics in the summer with the Absolut, anyone who mixes the high end vodka is delusional IMHO.

 

[Troggie]

I drink Vodka on the rocks.. the only time I drink Goose is if it is the only one the place has. Belvedere is much better than Gray Goose. I have not had Ketel One. I usually buy Pinnacle for mixed drinks as I find it better than Absolute and it is less expensive as well. I will be picking up 2 locally made vodkas for the new year with one being made from grapes ( called Grey Heron Vodka ). I still need to find a place to get a Russian vodka in my area.

 

[omazzoni]

I want to check out Tito's. I saw it in Whole Foods Tonight. It's made in Austin Texas and some Wine Magazine gives it Six more taste points than Ketel One. It's also $17 and not $22.

Otto

 

[TonyH]

I want to check out Tito's. I saw it in Whole Foods Tonight. It's made in Austin Texas and some Wine Magazine gives it Six more taste points than Ketel One. It's also $17 and not $22.

Otto

Tito's is goooood. And it's made in San Antonio, as far as I know. Austin would love to claim it, but it's not ours to claim.

 

[omazzoni]

Good to know that you like it!!! That's promising. The bottle I saw today says Austin, Texas. I googled it and that seems to be the consensus. Maybe it's really made in Mexico, and they claim a different home in each American city, to throw us off the trail...

 

[TonyH]

Good to know that you like it!!! That's promising. The bottle I saw today says Austin, Texas. I googled it and that seems to be the consensus. Maybe it's really made in Mexico, and they claim a different home in each American city, to throw us off the trail...

Ooops. You're right, Tito's from San Antonio but came here for college. It's made in Austin. Must be why it's so tasty.

 

[Psicko]

I have never understood the grey goose phenom. My go to vodka from a blind taste test was Kettle One. I agree with Otto. I have changed a few peoples mind about grey goose with blind taste tests. People have a subconsious thoughts that the more expensive an alcohol is, the better it is. Hence why people think that grey goose is better because it is much more expensive than other brands. I think that is re-inforced with marketing. Oh well, let the snobs waste their money.

 

[omazzoni]

Hey Psicko,

I think we should all try Tito's and then write another post reviewing it. I'm all about saving money but not sacrificing quality. I would recommend you trying Sobieski for sure. On the other hand, Ketel One has been in production since 1691. So, there's a reason it's so damn delicious. Grey Goose is is definitely a snob thing.

Before I buy Tito's though, I've gotta finish this bottle of scotch I just bought last week. I keep only one bottle of liquor in the house at a time. Balvenie is great if you like Scotch.

-Otto

 

[Groat]

People have a subconsious thoughts that the more expensive an alcohol is, the better it is.

I remember reading somewhere that the billionaire who started Grey Goose knew that Americans thought this and that's why he attached the 'premium' price tag. It certainly appears as though he hit the nail on the head.

Also, and this is only slightly off topic, studies have been done that show many people equate the size of a computer to its computing prowess. Wal-Mart sells a couple desktop computers whose guts could fit in a cigar box but they put them in a full-sized case because of this perception.

 

[dux hunt]

I'm an "on the rocks or dirty" Vodka guy. For my taste, most of the so called premium vodka's are all marketing hype. I can taste a "big" difference in my vodka.
I do agree, Tito's is #1 in my book and a close second is Three Olives, but I have a hard time finding it non-flavored.

I can get them both for 17.99 to 19.99 a bottle.

Someone also suggested I try Svedka, that's next.

 

[RaisingTheBar]

I can confirm that grey goose doesn't taste very good. However I tend to prefer the cheap vodka's anyway. When I drink it.

 

[sanuginz]

Grey Goose is too sweet for my liking and I've gone through many bottles of the stuff in my past (maybe I fell victim the marketing). If you can get your hands on it locally, Imperia by the russian standard company is the best you can find in america. It will cost you, but it is distilled 8x and uses arctic water. Talk about smooth. Belvedere is much better at a comparable price to goose. The best stuff you can only find in Russia and it costs only about $15 a bottle. They have many different private labels, but customs only permits 2 litres to bring back. You must drink a lot while there at nightclub but warning: never try to outdrink a russian. You will regret it the next day and also be the loser.