Originally Posted by
BryanIAH
If I had a huge selection to choose from Absolut certainly wouldn't be my first choice. I just prefer it over the previous offerings. If the new UA really wanted to impress customers they would have some premium choices such as Grey Goose, Belvedere, etc.
Premium vodka is mostly a scam, a Veblen good meant to demonstrate snob appeal.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...7072661615.htm
Therein lies Big Vodka's dirty little secret: There isn't much difference between the absurdly expensive and the absurdly cheap. According to the U.S. government's Code of Federal Regulations, all vodka—no matter how many times it's distilled, whether it comes in a bottle shaped like a human skull, or even if P. Diddy endorses it—is defined as "without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color." Yet for years the industry has circumvented this snag through marketing gimmicks that make getting drunk seem like a gateway to fame and fortune.
I bought Wyborowa last trip to Germany- I had a friend bring some back for me from Poznan when I asked for vodka, he said it was about $5 for a fifth (I got it for 7 euros in Germany- taxes, I suppose). I used to be able to get it in the US. Last time I brought it to a vodka tasting, it smoked Ciroc, Grey Goose, Chopin and Belvedere among the people who sampled it.
I second the idea of improving the scotch and the beer... but vodka? Meh.