Plastic Jug Vodkas Have Their Moment

All you secret lovers of bargain basement vodka brands like Popov and Majorkska can now rejoice, for some of your secret shame has been lifted: Your drink of choice (doesn’t matter which one, really, as long as it’s cheap) is now the “it” drink of choice. The Times reported Sunday that dubious vodkas—ones that might have a butane-heavy nose, for example, or a lush isopropyly bouquet—are outselling expensive liquor, and how. “The lower-end stuff is definitely flying out the door,” says a rep from Sherry-Lehmann, and a liquor store in Montclair N.J., last week sold out of Majorska (from $2.89), while Grey Goose fumbled. This has happened despite the overwhelming popularity and timeliness of a Chesley Sullenberger-inspired cocktail called "The Sully”: two shots of Goose with "a splash of water." The Times also shouts out the long-suffering and lower priced Smirnoff, which won a Times-conducted taste test in 2005, beating the 2004 Slate-anointed brand Chopin. Suggested food pairing for Popov? Join the economy minded, newly formed Society for the Appreciation of the Lowly Tinned Sardine.

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By Hugh Merwin in Food on March 11, 2009 1:45 PM

Comments [rss]

Nick S

I like the people on here trying to make it a health thing, as if Grey Goose or Stoli are good for you.

PTG in nyc

What happened to Poland Spring vodka? That stuff is truly death.

I'm sticking to Ketel. I'm not a wine or booze snob (but yes a ganja snob) or anything, but let's face it the cheap stuff smells and tastes like my asscrack. If I get laid off, I'll probably change my mind though.

Felix Hoenikker

I recall buying plastic bottles of 'Pub Club' swill back in the day....haven't seen it since.

Snoopy

I hear Old Warsaw is a pretty good brand of Vodka.

DanielJ

Hey man, if yo get laid off and want to get drunk without paying 100 bucks for the opportunity, for a change.. cheap booze is a godsend.

austin5454

I LOVE POPOV!

ed_Extinct

Never trust a vodka made and bottled in Stamford, Connecticut.

dirty hipster

Vodka is a flavorless odorless spirit. If you are mixing it with anything I venture to say you can't taste the difference btw Popov and Grey Goose. People are just pretentious snots.

NannyState

But save those Grey Goose bottles anyway and refill 'em with the cheap stuff. It's much easier getting on the plane with a nice bottle.

JacqueMehoff

shhhhh. that's a trade secret.

WorksInDUMBO

you filter your vodka through a Brita? really?

I like Sobieski--awesome and cheap.

Felix Hoenikker

A few passes through a Brita filter take the edge off the cheap crap.

longacre

Anyone ever read the story of Grey Goose? Yep, it's imported from France, but the entire product is a marketing gimmick invented in America by Sidney Frank, the guy who brought us Jagermeister (and shot girls). Before Frank, no one had ever made vodka in France before. I do like Grey Goose, but I think Smirnoff is nearly as good and if you're making screwdrivers or other mixed drinks it's hard to tell the difference.

KiljoyWasHere

Tinned sardines are really not that cheap.

Nyctini11

My fiance seems to think a good cheap vodka is Svedka, we can get a jug of that stuff for $23(seems cheap compared to the other big name ones). Anyway, Cheers to whatever your drinking!

Rocknrope

Popov - Because Sight Is Overrated.

Trilby16

Maybe some of you vodka snobs should try Dan Akroyd's Crystal Head Vodka. It is filtered through diamonds and I'm sure would be easier on your delicate digestive systems.

Bernie Madoff-Goetz

On the bright side, one could view drinking an entire jug of Popov as getting a low-cost colonic because if you don't die, you definitely will be spending the entire next day on the shitter.