Lets start this review by dispelling a few myths about vodka. First of all, any of you who are vodka drinkers or have been reading The Drunk Pirate on a regular basis know that good vodka doesn’t have to be expensive and just because a vodka is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good.
Take Grey Goose for example:
On more than one occasion I’ve witnessed so called “ballers” throw down $150 for a bottle of Grey Goose at a club because they equate expensive with being a good vodka. I mean it does claim the be “The Worlds Best Tasting Vodka” right on the label.
Truth is Grey Goose consistently places near the bottom of every blind taste test it is entered into. Funny thing is it’s usually brands like $16-dollar-a-bottle Smirnoff that win.
But don’t tell that to the Guido’s in Jersey who eagerly flash Grey Goose and cheesy Zoolander poses around in order to draw attention away from their horrible hair and spray-on tans.
Grey goose also makes for a good example of another vodka myth which is all good vodkas have to be made in a certain place. Like Russia. According to Grey Goose, its vodka is made in the “Vodka Region” of France. Seriuosly? The truth is that there is no “Vodka Region” of France or any other country for that matter. That’s like saying Hampsters come from the “Hampster Region” of Rhode Island. Actually I have no idea where Hampsters come from, but you get the idea.
“I thought this was a review about Platinum 7x Vodka?”
This is a review about Platinum 7x. I just had to set the stage before I tell you how it tastes, how much it cost and where it’s made. Platinum 7x is touted as a “premium vodka.” However, it doesn’t carry a premium price tag. I’ve seen it sell anywhere from $11 for a 750ml to $16 for a 1.75L depending on where you buy it. (In case you’re either slow or drunk or both, I’m in the process of supporting the “good vodkas don’t have to be expensive,” argument.)
Platinum 7x has a very smooth taste and makes one mean screwdriver. It doesn’t have that strong “I just drank rubbing alcohol,” aftertaste like most inexpensive vodkas do. One would venture to say it’s even on the light side despite it being a normal 80 proof spirit.
And as with my perennial favorite, Smirnoff, you can drink quite a bit of this stuff in one sitting without even the slightest tinge of a hangover the next day. Anyone who’s been drinking for any amount of time will bear testament that no hangover from a bottle of hooch costing less than $40 is rare.
So what about the last myth we talked about? What “Vodka Region” does Platinum 7x come from? Would you believe me if I told you this great little vodka came all the way from Franklin County, Kentucky? You know, the “Bourbon Region” of America. Well it does. And I would take the Pepsi Challenge with it against Grey Goose any day of the week.
According to the website Platinum 7X is distilled seven times from American corn.That’s right, not potatoes, wheat or whatever else you can make vodka out of. Four distillations are carried out in column stills with the remaining three distillations being made in a special pot still at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Again for those of you who are slow and/or drunk that makes 7 distillations, hence the name Platinum 7x.
As usual when it come to good cheap booze I encourage you to be your own judge. Who knows, you might end up like me and have a new vodka for your top 5. But I will guarantee you’ll definitely NOT end up looking like a New Jersey Guido flashing an overpriced bottle of shitty vodka. You’ll look like a person who knows good vodka doesn’t have to be expensive.
Popularity: 16% [?]
August 1st, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I have found that people who brag about grey goose or even absolut for that matter against cheaper and yet way better tasting vodkas like Smirnoff or platinum or even svedka tend to be beer or bourban/coke drinkers anyway with no stomach for strong drink. as a vodka drinker, i can handle it, easily, straight, and make it a point to taste test all i get my hands on. just for comparison. platinum is way better than absolut! absolut has a nasty aftertaste!
August 6th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I tend to stick with McCormick for mixing and only Absolut or Skyy flavored variants to drink straight or mixing.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Thanks for the review. I am gluten sensitive and have been trying to find a vodka that I could buy at a great price. Being one of those chosen few that saw there jobs end after 20 plus years. And being in purchasing I always look for the best bang for the buck. Keep up the great work you are doing and best of luck to you. Pat
November 28th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
I drink Ketel One when I’m out at bars, but I have Platinum 7x at home (because they don’t usually have it in the bars out here). It’s a great vodka for a great price. But I pay $24 for a 1.75 liter bottle here in WA state because of our ludicrous liquor tax. :)
January 20th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I just bought this vodka for helluvit. I did check the label and noticed right away that it came from the same place my beloved bourbon does. The bottle was $8.99 so I figured if it was bad, no biggie, it was dirt cheap. I cracked the cap, took a whiff and a little swig. Wow, was I surprised! It was smooth, yet tasty. I went to the internet to find out what others thought because I couldn’t believe I got a great tasting vodka for $9….and here I am. I have never bought into the Grey Goose bs….who wants a vodka that’s French for 3-4 times the price anyway? Liquor, no matter its form, is transcending traditions and borders. Platinum is a great vodka and for the price, you can’t beat it. Don’t pay attention to the marketing efforts of Grey Goose or anything else for that matter, see for yourself. You will surely save some money if nothing else!
March 20th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Absolut is absolutely bad..
April 26th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I agree with everything that was said. I have been a Svedka or Pinnacle vodka drinker for years because they are high quality and less expensive than the other premium brands. The one thing that has always pissed me off in the vodka aisle is the lack of quality American vodka brands. Vodka is one of the cheapest and easiest spirits to make, and here in America everyone just ships their money overseas to Russia, France, Poland, etc. for some overpriced vodka because there are no other good reasonably priced options that are made in the USA. The only decent vodka made in the U.S. for years has been Skyy, which IMO is not worth the price they put on it. When I read this review I went out to the store and checked out the Platinum 7X and to my surprise its all MADE IN THE USA with American Corn! This is the ONLY vodka made in the U.S. that is distilled 7 times to my knowledge and it tastes damn good for a good price. In my store a 1.75L bottle was only $18, a couple of dollars cheaper than Svedka and Pinnacle. Goodbye Swedish and French crap! This is officially the new vodka of choice in my house. Way to go Sazerac (company who makes it), thank you for delivering a quality vodka product for a reasonable price and keeping the money and jobs here in the U.S.!
May 12th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
I have tried many different solutions and no much effect yet. Can you suggest any? Thanks in advance.