[Vodka]: Crystal Head Vodka: Yay or Nay?
one234h
Downingtown, PA [USA]
The CHV homepage, for clarity.
Made by Dan Aykroyd's, (Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, etc), company and going for approximately $110 in PA, the vodka is usually on the top shelf, but do you think it belongs there? Many say that the marketing which centers around the lore and legend of the 13 Crystal Skulls is the best -and most laughable- thing about the overpriced, over-marketed, nail polish. Others swear it's the best vodka they've ever had and await their new crystal head overlords to swoop in and take them off to their astral projection of Atlantis.
My Take
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Specs: 80 proof, grain alcohol, clear
Smell: Next to none.
Taste: Impressively neutral, smooth, with a buttery, bitter finish.
Mixablity: Blends seamlessly with sweet, sour, creamy or fruity drinks.
Price: Inexorably tied with the marketing. There is no way to buy it in a normal bottle and refill the awesome-looking one.
Key Points:
It is the smoothest vodka I've had, but not the best tasting. The vodka is prohibitively expensive for me to be sloshing it about with mixers, so the mixability of the spirit is unfortunately negated. This means it's great for special occasion shots. For sipping though, I prefer the much cheaper, but still legit, Ketel One. I think the product is over-sold so it does not stand up to its larger-than-life filtration process and inspiration for many people.
One thing on which haters and fanboys can easily agree: the bottle is kick-ass.
What do you think?
Made by Dan Aykroyd's, (Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, etc), company and going for approximately $110 in PA, the vodka is usually on the top shelf, but do you think it belongs there? Many say that the marketing which centers around the lore and legend of the 13 Crystal Skulls is the best -and most laughable- thing about the overpriced, over-marketed, nail polish. Others swear it's the best vodka they've ever had and await their new crystal head overlords to swoop in and take them off to their astral projection of Atlantis.
My Take
-------
Specs: 80 proof, grain alcohol, clear
Smell: Next to none.
Taste: Impressively neutral, smooth, with a buttery, bitter finish.
Mixablity: Blends seamlessly with sweet, sour, creamy or fruity drinks.
Price: Inexorably tied with the marketing. There is no way to buy it in a normal bottle and refill the awesome-looking one.
Key Points:
It is the smoothest vodka I've had, but not the best tasting. The vodka is prohibitively expensive for me to be sloshing it about with mixers, so the mixability of the spirit is unfortunately negated. This means it's great for special occasion shots. For sipping though, I prefer the much cheaper, but still legit, Ketel One. I think the product is over-sold so it does not stand up to its larger-than-life filtration process and inspiration for many people.
One thing on which haters and fanboys can easily agree: the bottle is kick-ass.
What do you think?
0
Comments
20) Drink wodka.
30) Buy Ketal One.
40) Refill Crystal Head.
50) GOTO20
I want to get my hands on a bottle of Russian Standard vodka. Apparently it's quite good and only around $25 a bottle (when you can find it)
EDIT: Fuck me running, there's a party store near me that sells not only Russian Standard Original, but Russian Standard Platinum...
That's a common take on CHV from what I've experienced; I think they could've reaped a larger cult following driven by the bottle shape alone if the price would've been lower. Captain Morgan, Baccardi, et al have made their brands have success based on a theme/icon without being "THE BEST ALCOHOL EVAR OMG". Again, I think it takes itself a little too seriously, and alienates many otherwise buyers the way you just described.
@midga,
That... I .... you..
YES.
That is just:
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..WIN..WIN....WIN..WIN...............WIN...............WIN...WIN...WIN.......................
...WINWIN......WINWIN................WIN...............WIN....WIN..WIN.......................
.....WIN..............WIN........WINWINWINWIN......WIN......WINWIN........................
In all seriousness, I've tried it and I definitely like it. Extremely smooth, perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks. I would never mix it with anything. But something is seriously wrong if you're finding it locally for $110. That's about twice the MSRP. Here in California I find it for ~$60-70, and I've seen it similarly priced in Indiana and Michigan. CHV is worth it for ~$60, but definitely not for $110.
But even so, I can never bring myself to buy CHV when Ciroc or Pravda sell for ~$35. They taste better, and sell for half the price.
Never had it. What turned you on to that brand?
@UPSLynx,
Dude, he's talking to you like what he's saying is legit. It's hilarious.
@mertesn
You know, I've never taken notice of Pravada before, but I feel like I've been hearing about it increasingly lately; I feel compelled to try it!
It has a mild taste and a weak burn but it doesn't taste watered down or anything. If you're lucky you can sometimes find it in the limited edition in the ruby red skull bottle, however you normally just find the clear skull.