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.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

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.

Trilby16

And you know that how?

Politburo

Gordon's, Stoli, and Ketel One qualify as "snob" vodkas now?

Dan

You could pass the cheap stuff through a water filter...

Trilby16

Ha! I'm IN. Got a jug at home as we speak. It mixes great with Crystal Light of all flavors!

Bernie Madoff-Goetz

This stuff is like draino for your digestive track + the buzz usually sucks and a hangover is pretty much a guarantee no matter how much water and pseudofrin you take before passing out. I'll stick with Ketel One, thanks.

Dirk

Screw that. I'm sticking to my Stoli.

matty

The stuff is disgusting. If you REALLY want a two day hangover and to destroy your liver, please, go ahead and buy cheap vodka. That 10 bucks you saved is totally worth it.

matukonyc

Vodka is not aged, like whiskey - it's stupid to buy more expensive brands.

I personally like Gordon's brand vodka - definitely much better than Georgi or Popov.

matty

Vodka is filtered better than others though and vodka with lots of impurities can just rip through you system like whoa.

Politburo

Buy local! Majorska is bottled in Clifton.

Asphyxia8

Hopefully they'll bring back Fire Island-brand vodka! I swear they used to sell this stuff at the Pines liquor store a few years ago. Very, very bottom-shelf. Literally!