bourbonv wrote:Now John,
I never say anything bad about Gentleman Jack - Oh wait I guess "Brown Vodka" is not the best thing to say, is it. I still liked the old packaging better on the Brow- er Gentleman Jack.
Mike, not that I have an opinion about GJ, but in all whiskeydom, insofaras I know about it, for the money, GJ is the biggest ripoff going.
Without judging anyone, it is aimed at people who have little knowledge of whiskey, but who know the name Jack Daniels. My contempt is not for people who may drink GJ, but for those who make and market it.
But, if everyone in this picture, aside from a few of us, is happy with the outcome, who am I to complain?
So long as I can find, be friends with, and discuss whiskey with people who see through the marketing hype and have tried the range of whiskies available, I am satisfied.
It is not really incumbent upon those of us who 'love' whiskey to convert anyone who is content with GJ. It is, however, in our interest to participate in BE and like sites so that we can let our 'master distillers' know that we appreciate their products and hope they can continue to resist the corrosive effects of the accountants and marketeers, even if they are a necessary part of the equation.
They should NEVER be in the position of making crucial decisions on the quality of products. This is completely outside their area of expertise, and it is simply the height of arrogance for them to be so involved.
I know that business decisions are often made irrespective of quality, but in a democracy, political or commercial, one must find a way to voice an 'informed' opinion, hoping that a reasonable balance between 'quality' and 'popularity' can be achieved.
One of the greatest strengths of our country is that this can still happen here...........if we choose badly for a time, we can come back later and rectify the situation.
Qualtiy, in whatever realm, is still appreciated by a significant portion of Americans........may it be so for a long time to come.