Grey Goose or Belvedere???

Question

I have heard from so many people that they taste exactlyyyy the same!!! My fav vodka of all time of course is Grey Goose, still havnt tried Belvedere, yet but which one do you guys suggest, and do you think they taste exactly the same???

Answer 1

I haven't tried Belvedere yet, but I think Grey Goose is over rated.  There is definately better vodka out there.

Answer 2

The people who say they taste exactly the same are largely correct.  I hate to say it - but the only truly distinguishing factor between premium vodka (e.g. Grey Goose) and the cheaper stuff (e.g. Smirnoff) is a fancy bottle and a lot of marketing to convince drinkers that they are more sophisticated if they drink an expensive brand.  By definition vodka is supposed to be a tasteless and odorless mixture of pure alcohol and water.

Most vodkas are not even distilled by their producers, rather, they buy pure alcohol from an industrial source, cut it with water, and bottle it.  The cheaper vodkas and the pricy vodkas are buying their alcohol from the same sources.  Regarding its production, from the WSJ: "Making pure ethanol is what industrial stills do best, which is why two of the other major players producing vodka in the U.S. are Archer-Daniels-Midland and Grain Processing Corp. of Muscatine, Iowa. ADM sells its 190-proof beverage alcohol (product code 020001) packaged one of three ways: "Bulk Truck, Bulk Rail, Tank." Cut it with water -- preferably from a source that will lend itself to a pretty picture on the label -- bottle it, and you're in the vodka business."  The same product is also used for "industrial solvents, mouthwash, hairspray, astringents and such."

Not that NYT beverage tasters are infallible, but they did a blind tasting and found that Smirnoff was the best of a host of vodkas, many premium brands included.  And in the same WSJ article, you will also find an amusing anecdote: "I went to a vodka tasting hosted by the head of a prominent luxury liquor house. It was an exercise meant to dispel the notion that the differences among vodkas are illusory. But after being walked through the vodkas on the table with elaborate descriptions of the characteristics of each, I found myself hard-pressed to discern much difference. So I asked the executive to demonstrate the differences by tasting the vodkas blind. He couldn't even identify his own flagship brand."

So do yourself a favor.  Don't let the big drinks company rip you off by charging an arm and a leg for an undifferentiated industrial product in a fancy bottle with a lot of marketing behind it.  Go for a reasonably priced, mid-tier brand and you will be getting the same product.  And if you find yourself in the situation where you need to impress a group of faux-sophisticates by ordering the "good stuff," you can always revert to Grey Goose in a pinch.

Answer 3

Of those two I prefer Grey Goose, but overall, I like Nemiroff and Monopolwa

Answer 4

GG And Bel are both excellent Vodka's and have very mild differences between them.

To be honest the best way to judge is to have your own personal taste test. Each person has their own preference.

Answer 5

of those two, grey goose..

but given the choice i wouldn't drink either.. there are heaps better ones out there..

Answer 6

i perfer stoli's

Answer 7

The last few years, there has been such an uproar about which is the best vodka. What people seem to be forgetting, or missing, is that the best vodka is the one that has the least taste. That's the whole point of vodka! When you get to the high end ones like those, it doesn't really matter.

Answer 8

Grey Goose is smooth and by all means, a solid Vodka.  It's out of control popular too.  Belevedere has a sharper bite and a distinct aftertaste...not worse or better, just different.  Goose is solid, but there are a ton of better Vodkas out there.  First question...how are you drinking your vodka?  If it's not straight up, on the rocks or with soda water well then it shouldn't matter....h**l, you could use Absolute in any other drink..although I wouldn't recommend that.

Answer 9

It's a pretty close call. When you ask which is beter, realize it's a matter of personal taste and only you can decide that. They are both quality vodkas, but have you onsidered trying any more obscure brands or infused vodkas? Now those are fun.