I'm sure you've already seen this. If not, check out Gateway Pundit for details on what some thought was a particularly stupid April Fool's joke. Alas, no (linked from Drudge. Oh. Shit.)
Read Absolut's non-apology lecture here:
This particular ad, which ran in Mexico, was based upon historical perspectives and was created with a Mexican sensibility. In no way was this meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any anti-American sentiment, nor does it reflect immigration issues. Instead, it hearkens to a time which the population of Mexico may feel was more ideal.
Their comment thread is open and brimming with Scandilicious goodness. Hell, even I threw in an obligatory boycott declaration. Moron Rush! KEKEKEKEKE!
Looking for a replacement vodka? Avoid Stoli as well --- it's owned by the same parent company (Pernod Ricard) that just purchased Absolut last month. I hear Valu-Rite is on sale.
UPDATE: Over at Ace's, Slu is up to his p-shop tricks.
UPDATE: An ill-timed article from this Monday's BusinessWeek, "An Absolut Marketing Dream":
Whether Pernod overpaid won't be known for months, or years. But rest assured, the answer will be determined by the new owner's ability to shape the right marketing campaign. With vodka, there's little else involved.
In just a few decades, vodka has become the most popular spirit in the U.S. Whereas gin was the spirit of choice for a martini in the 1950s and 1960s, vodka replaced its English cousin in the 1970s and 1980s, and since. Not bad, considering the U.S. government defines the stuff as a "neutral spirit." It is a product made for advertising, as every vodka that comes down the pike is pretty much a blank canvas.
Absolut's ad agency, Teran/TBWA, just pinched one honkin' loaf on that blank canvas.
UPDATE (4-7-08): Victory lap!
Whose turd?
Posted by: cranky | April 04, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Heh, cranky. Was that Wanda Sikes?
Posted by: Cuffy Meigs | April 04, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Neutral spirits, folks. If you can taste the difference between Absolut and ValURite, somebody's made a bad batch.
Posted by: S. Weasel | April 05, 2008 at 06:24 AM
If you can taste the difference between Absolut and ValURite, somebody's made a bad batch.
I seem to recall a post a couple of years ago about two guys who bought a premium vodka and a rotgut vodka, and the filtered the rotgut through carbon filters to see if the tastes converged. Our intrepid duo undertook all the taste-testing themselves, in a single evening, so their results may be suspect, but they claimed that the tastes did indeed converge.
Posted by: geoff | April 05, 2008 at 09:35 AM
two guys
Ace & Allah?
Posted by: Cuffy Meigs | April 05, 2008 at 09:39 AM
I do like this vodka, even at the elevated price. What I notice about the "better" vodka is the more tolerable quality of the hangover.
What I don't like is a bunch of Euro-clowns putting the knock on my country or its borders, especially with all the Mexicans illegally crossing it. Wasn't it a prominent European country that promised the Mexicans Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico if they'd fight against us prior to World War I ?
Good-bye forever, Absolut.
BTW, Safeway has a "premium" vodka that you can pay for the quart about what you pay for a pint of Absolut.
Posted by: trentk269 | April 05, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Haha. Great ad. I drink to that!
Posted by: Jakob | April 05, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Grey Goose, anyone??
Posted by: flint | April 05, 2008 at 09:01 PM