Review: 360 Eco-Vodka
January 7, 2009 by Colleen Coplick
Filed under Drinks
Everyone’s going green these days, including the vodka you sip.
360 Vodka, an ‘Eco-Luxury Vodka’ claims to be the world’s first environmently friendly spirit, combining superior quality with environmental responsibility.
Truth be told, all premium and super-premium vodkas taste pretty much the same – they are all high quality products that are distilled three or four times to achieve their quality and then packaged in a pretty bottle. The only real difference at that point lies in the marketing.
McCormick, the company behind 360 Vodka is telling me that by establishing new environmentally-sound distilling practices, packaging and marketing, they’re shaking up the super premium vodka industry.
I tasted the 360 Vodka, and to be completely honest, I wasn’t completely knocked off my feet. I mean, sure, it was good vodka, but I don’t know if I would switch brands in favour of eco-friendly practices. Yes, there is 85% recycled glass in the bottles, and the distillation is 200% more efficient than the pot still method, but what I wanted to know was, does that change the flavour of the vodka?
For me, it didn’t, not really, despite the fact that it’s distilled four times and filtered five times. Like I said, sure, it’s good vodka, and I certainly wouldn’t go turning it away or anything, but I don’t know if it’s enough to make me purchase it over another one.
I’m proud of McCormick for taking strides towards environmental stewardship, carbon offsets and eco-friendly practices. I hope more and more of the premium spirts go that route in fact. But, for me, until the quality comes up a little for me, I’m not swaying from my current vodka brand.
[image provided by 360 Vodka]
I think it’s good vodka. The thing is, as someone who works in the environmental field, I would feel more comfortable serving 360 Eco-Vodka at a party (because people will KNOW that I work in that field).
Also, I think many eco-friendly products are predicated on the assumption that consumers will want to pay the premium price or switch brands because of their environmental features. I know I would (and yes I do love my Grey Goose, Absolut, etc.)
This is an excellent Vodka, and to be honest I dont care about the Eco friendly portion. I purchased it because it was $15 lower than my normal Grey Goose or Belvedere. Was amazingly smooth. What more can we ask for?