Better Know A Brand: A History Of Grey Goose Vodka
One morning in the summer of 1996, a man named Sidney Frank called up his No.2 at Sidney Frank Importing Co., and told him he had finally figured out the perfect name for his new vodka venture: Grey Goose. Nevermind that at the time there was no bottle, no distillery, and no vodka to take on that name, Frank had a vision.
A mere 8-years later that vision would be sold to Bacardi for $2 Billion, and the ultra-premium vodka sector the brand created would be the fastest growing in the spirits business. So how, exactly, did it all happen?
Born in 1919, Sidney Frank grew up poor in rural Connecticut, just a farm boy who had dreams of breaking the cycle of his familys poverty. An astute student, he was accepted into Brown University, where he rubbed shoulders with the scions of some of the East Coasts richest families. Though ultimately he wouldnt graduate , he had found an avenue into a world of elites that would start him on his road to success.
Through friends at Brown, Sidney Frank met and married Louise Rosenstiel, whose father was then the chief of Schenley Distilleries . Frank went to work in the family business, and showed a knack for it. After the untimely death of his wife, and a subsequent rift with the Rosentiel family, Frank decided to set off on his own, founding Sidney Frank Importing Co.
The gambit worked. Jagermeister became a sensation and with it, Sidney Frank and his company became the stuff of liquor industry legend.
Cheap Vodka Quality Taste
Despite these differences, the Kirkland-made-by-Grey Goose claims raise questions of how different luxury brands really are from their cheaper counterparts.
Grey Goose argues its investments and exclusive access to ingredients gives its brand a richer, deeper taste profile, according to McCanta.
Everyone has some type of perspective on Grey Goose it signifies something. But if you put six vodka glasses in front of people and ask them to taste for the best, theyre not always going to pick it, Abou-Ganim said.
That doesnt mean that Grey Goose isnt high quality, but that you have to go and do the work to decide whats the right taste for you, Abou-Ganim said. Its OK to like and use more than one type of vodka!
Kirkland Signature French Vodka is a popular drink among Costco shoppers, and has regularly topped Grey Goose in blind taste tests. The drink’s production process remains largely a proprietary secret, but the difference may not matter as much given federal regulations.
For years, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Code mandated that vodka must be distilled and treated until it is “without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color.”
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Vodka is not about what you put in but what you take out before the final product, Abou-Ganim said. Really, the only way to learn more is to taste.
Differences Between The Vodkas
No, Grey Goose Vodka does not produce nor privately label Kirkland vodka, Joe McCanta, Grey Gooses Global Head of Education, told USA TODAY. This is a viral claim that has circled Grey Goose for many years and its completely false.
Costco had no comment.
The certificates issued for Grey Gooses various American products all state the products originate in France, confirming Grey Goose statements to USA TODAY.
From harvest to milling to distillation to bottling, every step is done in France. Only Grey Goose uses single origin Picardy wheat and water from our natural limestone well in Gensac-la-Pallue to craft a gluten free spirit of exceptional character, McCanta told USA TODAY.
Grey Goose told USA TODAY its vodka is distilled only once in an effort to preserve the quality natural ingredients and profiles of its ingredients. Kirkland Signature French Vodka states on its bottle that it is distilled five times.
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Story Of A Marketing Wizard Who Made $2b In 7 Years And Then Gave It Away
When I stumbled upon the story of Sidney E. Frank I couldnt help thinking that one day someone will turn his life into a movie. However, even though essentially a guidebook for genius marketing, Sidneys life is poorly documented and some references directly contradict themselves. So if one identifies inaccuracy, omissions, oversights or any other mistakes please contact me at and I will make sure to stand corrected.
I always thought that making lots of money is one of the most satisfying accomplishments in mans life. But not as satisfying as giving it away. When my good friend and editor of Arts and Opinion, Robert J. Lewis, heard about me writing this article, he send in an old quote that encapsulated this same idea, almost 400 years ago.
Of great riches there is no real use, except it be in the distribution
F. Bacon
Be the Only One
Sidney Frank was 76 years old when he walked into the OLunneys Times Square Pub and ordered a glass of Vodka. It was a cold, October afternoon of 1995, and New York Yankees were loosing to Mariners.
However all the eyeballs were staring at CNBC.
Microsoft had just released the 1st version of Internet Explorer and Alan Greenspan was actively defending low interest rates and increasingly available capital.
The dot-com bubble was forming.
and was maybe the first person to realize that a product was missing from the shelves. A new category of Vodka, way above the current $20 range.
This is his story.
Alcohol As a Fuel
Scotch and Whisky
Is Grey Goose Vodka Gluten
Some people may have allergies or suffer from celiac diseases because of gluten. This does not mean that they cannot enjoy their favorite drinks. Vodka uses various ingredients for distillation apart from wheat. Therefore, any vodka that uses all other ingredients is gluten-free, for instance, grapes, potatoes, or corn.
So is Grey Goose really gluten-free? This is a question that may sound silly, but it is significant for those who are intolerant to gluten. Grey Goose uses wheat while being produced. However, it has an extensive distilling process. This process is said to get rid of every trace of gluten. Grey Goose is approved by TBB to categorize itself as gluten-free. People who have celiac disease are advised to visit their doctors for advice on their reactions to gluten. Some people react to gluten in vodka while others do not.
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Grey Goose Wants To Bust The Mythical Correlation Between Distillation And Quality
Grey Goose undergoes a single distillation process and claims that contrary to popular belief, the amount of times vodka is distilled has no effect on its purity or quality rather, its the source of the ingredients that have more of an effect on the taste. Were happy to report that thats right the amount of times vodka is distilled does not matter, despite what you might see being boasted on a premium vodka label.
How Much Does Trump Vodka Cost
4.3/5ATrump Vodka cost
Munchies reports that empty bottles of Trump Vodka run anywhere from $25 to $100, and sealed bottles of the stuff are priced as high as $1,000.
Additionally, what is the most expensive vodka? The 10 Most Expensive Vodka Bottles of All-Time
- Diva Vodka $1 Million.
- Swarovski -Studded Alize Limited Edition Vodka $2,000.
- Absolut Vodka $1,000.
- Magnum Grey Goose Vodka $815.00.
Similarly, it is asked, what happened Trump Vodka?
The Trump Vodka brand was discontinued in the United States in 2011 due to sales failing to meet the company threshold requirements. Several reasons were attributed for this. One was because Trump himself is a non-drinker and never drank Trump Vodka, as he blamed alcohol for the death of his brother Fred Trump, Jr.
What places does trump own?
Real estate licensing
- Manhattan: Trump Palace: 200 East 69th Street, New York, NY.
- New York City suburbs: Trump Bay Street: A 447-unit rental apartment building in Jersey City with the real estate development company, Kushner Properties and The KABR Group.
- Florida:
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There Are Many Variations Of Grey Goose
Aside from the classic Grey Goose vodka, there are also fruit-infusions: LOrange, Le Citron, La Poire, Cherry Noir, and Le Melon. As Carly Wray pointed out, all of these fruit flavours are from actual fruits, and all , are from France.
They also have another drink, Grey Goose VX, which has a hint of cognac mixed in with the vodka.
Jger And Grey Goose Are Step Brothers
Sidney Frank, the same guy behind the Grey Goose concept, started his importing company in 1972. Among his first product successes? Jägermeister. It wasnt overnight, but Frank saw some promise in the stuff, and by the mid 80s, so did college kids. With a little help from a squadron of liquor ladies dubbed the Jägerettes, Frank brought us all the pleasure of knocking back shots of a rich, dark German liqueur in far too large a quantity.
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No Special Tools Ingredients Or Prep Work Required
Grey goose citron recipes. Standard tools and techniques, with some advanced ingredients and prep. Take a cocktail shaker and pour all the ingredients into it. Grey goose lemonade by grey goose.
Expertly crafted by grey goose maître de chai , francois thibault, grey goose le melon is a discerning combination of the grey goose award winning vodka and the prized essence of ripe, juicy. Grey goose le citron is made using grey gooses flagship product, grey goose vodka. Fill the glass to the top with cubed ice.
Involves specialized tools, techniques and homemade or exotic ingredients. 2 parts sweet and sour mix 2 parts grey goose citron citrus vodka
The vodka boasts of fruit infusions such as le citron, la poire, among others. 35 ml grey goose citron, 50 ml white grape juice, 1 lemon rind, 3 basil leaves, a few mint leaves, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice recipe: 1.5 oz grey goose le citron vodka 0.5 oz lemon juice 0.5 oz simple syrup 3 oz soda water.
If you are looking for a citron flavored vodka. Get one of our grey goose cosmopolitan cocktail recipe and prepare delicious and. Bash the lemons gently in the glass with a muddler for a few seconds.
A description and a collection of drink recipes for grey goose® le citron vodka, with it’s origin, ingredients, alcohol content, and nutritional information like calories, carbohydrates and sugars. 35ml grey goose le citron vodka Mix vodka and lemon mix.
Pizza Nightstravaganza 12 Limeade, Pickled ginger
Who Actually Makes Kirkland Vodka
While rumors have persisted for years that Kirkland Signature Vodka, aka Costco‘s house brand, is really the same as Grey Goose, this rumor is not just an oversimplification, but it’s evidently just not true. To address the first issue regarding the Grey Goose rumor, there are actually two types of Kirkland vodka: a cheaper American version and a pricier French version. It is only the French vodka that is really comparable to Grey Goose, and what’s more, Grey Goose categorically denies the rumors, as does the Bacardi brand that owns Grey Goose, according to Thrillist.
The final word on this question of vodka origin comes from the U.S. government’s own Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau . They have issued one and only one Certificate of Label Approval for Kirkland-branded vodka of any type, and that certificate states that all Kirkland vodkas from 2005 on have been produced by the Levecke Corporation in Mira Loma, California.
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Common Recipes: What Goes Good With Grey Goose Vodka
Are you looking to make the best cocktail for your friends and yourself? With Grey Goose, you can make an impression any day. Grey Goose vodka acts as an ideal base spirit for cocktails because of its magnificent flavor. You can mix it up any way you like. Traditional blends, fruity cocktails, or even a clean, crisp drink are different ways you can come up with the ideal recipe.
The Creator Was Super Kind To Uni Students
It turns out that Frank was quite the philanthropist. He he went to Brown University in 1942, but had to drop out because he could only afford one year of tuition. After his success later in life, he made huge donations to Brown University so that no student would ever have to leave because of financial struggles again.
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How To Drink Grey Goose
Vodka might not be the first spirit you think of when it comes to sipping spirits neat but it would be a shame to add too many accompaniments when drinking Grey Goose. Vodka aficionados will tell you this is the only way to drink vodka anyway, so you might as well do it properly with a premium brand for best results.
Vodka is best served chilled, so put the bottle in the freezer for a couple of hours before serving. Small tumblers are customary for clear vodkas, so make sure your glass is equally as chilled before pouring in a small measure. Alternatively, you can use a shot glass but we still recommend sipping rather than throwing it back.
Swirl the Grey Goose in your glass and bring the glass up to your nose. Breathe in the aromas before taking a small sip and letting the vodka rest on your tongue. You should be able to taste delicate hints of pepper and more florals, but the overall effect should be smooth and relatively neutral.
The final thing to pay attention to is the aftertaste. A premium quality vodka like Grey Goose wont burn your throat it should feel smooth and warming rather than anything too aggressive.
Grey Gooses Creator Was All About French Decadence And Luxury
There wasnt a particular recipe or method that drove the creation of Grey Goose. Frank simply aimed to fill a gap he noticed in the beverage market: high-end vodka. Grey Goose is distilled in Picardy, France, but not because of any specific regional interest. As vodka is made by stripping alcohol of most of its congeners and funky flavor compounds, it can be made almost anywhere. But Frank chose a place specifically against tradition as in, not Eastern Europe. He wanted a vodka American consumers would immediately associate with luxury. And whats more posh than France, the home of Champagne and Burgundy?
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Billionaire Sidney Frank Dies
Sidney Frank, the maverick booze baron who started the super-premium liquor revolution with Grey Goose vodka, died yesterday in San Diego. He was 86. The cause was heart failure, according to his publicist, Sarah Zeiler. Frank was ranked No. 164 on the Forbes 400 Richest Americans list in October, with a net worth of $1.8 billion.
Throughout his career, Frank was known as a creative and tireless brand builder. After working for Pratt & Whitney during World War II, Frank got his start in the liquor business selling Dewar’s White Label and Ancient Age for Schenley Distillers. He made himself famous in late 1970s slinging German liqueur Jägermeister to the college set .
When he was 77, Frank created Grey Goose, one of the first “super-premium” vodkas. Billed as “The World’s Best Tasting Vodka” and sold for $30 per bottle, the buzz around Grey Goose created new-found interest in vodka among drinkers of all ages and spawned several competitors, including Kettle One and Level.
Rarely seen without a custom-made Davidoff cigar in his mouth, Frank became a billionaire in 2004 when he sold Grey Goose to Bacardi for $2.3 billion–the highest price ever paid for a single liquor brand. Since the sale, Frank had leveraged his success with an ever-growing empire that included a new line of Italian wines, tequilas, energy drinks and luxury-lifestyle magazines. He was preparing to launch his new whiskey, Michael Collins, in March.
It’s Blended With Water From Cognac
Ask any vodka distiller about what makes their spirit stand out, they’ll first point to the base material and its origin, and then the water supply. . Grey Goose gets its water from a 500 foot well in the Grande Champagne region of Cognac it’s been filtered through limestone over several centuries, and is drawn on the day that it’s destined for the bottling plant in the neighboring town of Gensac. Unlike some new craft vodka makers who prize the mineral content of their H20, Grey Goose goes to great lengths to strip the water of all mineral content before blending it into the finished vodka.
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Things I Learned At The Grey Goose Distillery
Carly WrayWatchmenWestworldMad MenEditorial Process
While Bacardi doesn’t release exact sales numbers, Grey Goose is currently the best selling vodka in its category in the States.
- Pin
The more sophisticated our cocktail culture has gotten, the more individual spirits have found their champions we now have rye bars and tequila temples and gin houses, each dedicated to the celebration and elevation of one type of liquor. Along the way, vodka has become something of a battleground, with more than one vest-wearing bartender arguing against it as anything other than bar-cleaner. Still others argue that in the hands of a master distiller, vodka can make for a killer cocktail canvas: clean, flexible, and subtly influenced in flavor by its ingredients.
In the past few years, as I’ve been drawn in by the argument for good vodka, I’ve interviewed and toured and investigated my way through plenty of domestic purveyors prized for their craftsmanship , but I’d never checked in with the big guys until a recent press trip hosted by Grey Goose. For three days, I followed the Grey Goose production process from harvest to bottling to packaging, and put together a quick primer for anyone curious about the world behind the States’ bestselling ‘ultra-premium’ vodka.