In Tough Times, is Sobieski Vodka Telling the Truth?

Being frugal can be very challenging. The other day, we were down to our last $11.00. We just spent the rest of our cash on $5 Foot Longs. We’ve figured out that if rationed properly, 6 subs can feed us for 7.2 days. We had to decide on a drinking strategy that put the rest of our funds to good use. In the liquor store, $11 is usually a pittance, but we happened across a bottle of vodka that begged to differ. Sobieski claimed to know the truth about vodka, insisting that it didn’t take a “kings ransom” to get a top notch spirit.

Sobieski’s Truth in Vodka campaign comes along just in time for the financial downturn. We all know the commonly spouted reasons that the New York market fell flat – the greedy bankers, overly generous credit, and out of control spending. Barfly’s sources point to an under-reported reason for the downturn: ridiculously priced “premium” vodka. The frivolous folks in the highest echelon of the NY financial world regularly spent $50 or more at the liquor store. Even worse – they regularly dropped over $400 / bottle at some of the swankiest New York clubs.

Seeing that the typical unemployment check is $400 / week, it doesn’t look like vodka consumption in the city is ever going to be the same. Much like having an apartment with “space to live”, Barfly has always thought that the premium vodka was designed exclusively to bring in a few extra bucks from the unsuspecting sucker. There are excellent brands out there, but if something has a goose stamped on the front, does that really mean that it is so much better?

Sobieski did a good job of distancing themselves from the other spirits on the low priced shelf (usually known as the “Bum Juice” section). Their bottle is sleekly designed and (thankfully) not made of plastic. And what of the taste? Is there really some credence to their truth telling, or is it just a marketing sham that you’re meant to forget after three sips?

While we wouldn’t rush to pour a martini straight up with Sobieski, this Polish Vodka is a long way from the well. The first sip came with a bit of a bite, but it went down smooth and crisp, with a clean aftertaste (kind of tasted like saving money). We think that Sobieski should find a way to anyone’s home bar during these times of cutting back. Even though you aren’t paying as much, you certainly won’t be sacrificing quality. The vodka is perfect for mixed drinks, and even a Cosmo here and there. With the money that you’re saving – think of all of the extra Foot Longs you can buy. We hear the Veggie Delight is killer.

What’s that? You still miss the little goose on the bottle? Why not opt for a six inch sub, and use the rest to buy some markers? This way you can have a great vodka cocktail and complete an inexpensive art project all at the same time!

Comments

[Kayser Soze]

I love this stuff but will go one farther - I'd put it in a martini any day. I work with a guy whose family is from Poland, and he explained that over in Europe, and pretty much the rest of the world, people actually recognize that different vodkas have distinctive tastes, and they appreciate that. Here in the US, brands like Grey Goose have beaten the misconception into people's heads that the less it tastes like anything, the better it is. (Not to mention the misconception that the more expensive it is, the better it must be. The same guy who created Grey Goose was quoted in New York Magazine (look up Cocktail Creationist) as saying the only difference between a bottle of Grey Goose and a bottle of Absolut was $15 in his pocket.)

The truth is you can have lousy vodka that doesn't taste like anything and great quality vodka that has a distinctive taste.

And, if you do a little research, you'll learn that Sobieski is almost identical to Belvedere in terms of what's in it and how it's made. Belvedere likely knocks back the flavor a bit to continue with the American belief that better tastes like, well, nothing.

In Europe, there are no $30 bottles of vodka not because they're poor - it's because they can't believe that Americans are stupid enough to not only pay that much for good vodka, but to wholeheartedly buy into the marketing that works so well to help them part with that money.

So I'm taking the advice from my Polish co-worker. I understand that good vodka actually can and should taste like something. And I know that if you see a bottle of Sobieski at $11, it doesn't mean it's bad vodka (like you say) - it means you should question what you've been led to believe great vodka is supposed to cost. This is my new favorite vodka...

[Nick]

I was always a Smirnoff man myself, but lately, I had been planning to cut back to some less expensive vodka in order to save some much needed money. I was leaving towards buying some British vodka like Seagram's (I was not prepared to go full Skol), when I noticed Sobieski's. Given my family's roots, I have always had a soft spot for Polish alcohol, but the only Polish vodka I had seen widely available was pricey Chopin vodka. Sobieski was a deal, but their real glass bottle did set them apart from the rest of the bottom shelf, and the taste is impeccable. Forget Grey Goose... it's not even Eastern European! Trust your grain alcohols to real slavs, buy Sobieski vodka. I know I will, for life.

[jonathan m.]

hmm interresting. What do you guys think of Kettle One, taste wise in comparison?
Is this a dry vodka? What other polish vodka is it comparable to?
thanks,

[Jaime]

Sobieski is almost identical to Belvedere its made from similar ingredients. I try and switch my bar guests that usaully drink Stoli or Smirnoff to sobieski.

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The truth is you can have lousy vodka that doesn't taste like anything and great quality vodka that has a distinctive taste.

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In Europe, there are no $30 bottles of vodka not because they're poor - it's because they can't believe that Americans are stupid enough to not only pay that much for good vodka, but to wholeheartedly buy into the marketing that works so well to help them part with that money.

[Kristoff]

If you forget about price tags for a minute, you'll notice Sobieski is suited for any cocktail in any setting. It's better than many "sipping" vodkas at 3 times its price. And, though this is a non sequitur, Absolut is not only one of the worst vodkas--it's one of the worst products of any sort in the whole wide world.

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Needless to say, nothing but perseverance can lead a man to the way of success. In other words, a persevering man never does his work without succeeding in it. This is indeed unchangeable truth.

[Ex-Grey Goose Snob]

I've done blind taste tests with Sobieski vs. Grey Goose, Kettle One, Smirnoff, and Chopin. Sobieski wins hands down. Done this at 6 different parties with people that had never heard of Sobieski, some were vodka drinkers some weren't, they all chose Sobieski.

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sounds awesome! and this post is just gorgeous!*

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I did not discuss that particular issue!!

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beautiful shot. was it taken with your new camera?