Nathan, I'm not one to defend organic for organic's sake. In purchasing food, I'm looking for flavor and value, not how it's grown and produced, except to the extent that that influences flavor and value. You hit the nail on the head in the statement that "some people will buy anything if they can feel good about it." Yes, but I think that's true of everything we buy; if we don't feel good about it, why are we buying it? Do you purposely buy anything that makes you feel bad? The issue of organic, however, goes beyond the "putative benefits" in consuming the item. It has as much to do with land conservation, economics, etc., as it does with taste and health (perhaps even more). I think the case for organics is overblown and the very idea is being corrupted by agri-business, but that doesn't mean it's a joke. All of this said, while I won't call organic vodka a joke, I do think it's rather silly. The concept of getting organically smashed, rather than inorganically smashed, could be amusing. ← Good comments, think of it this way, people gladly shell out $30+ for vodka that quantiatively may be no better than less expesnive products. They do it for a variety of reasons such as elaborate bottle, cool name, they saw a model drink etc. these help the purchaser define their self-image, sometimes it may be silly, but thats why there are so many different products. Let's not forget some people still choose their vodka brand based on how the vodka tastes on it's own. (cheers to those intrepid few) Anyway, even though there are no real health benefits directly attributed to drinking organic alcohol as opposed to run of the mill alcohol, at leasts it sends a message that you have some concern for the planet. (Cynics might compare this to the act of driving a luxury hybrid SUV...) While mass market organic products are slightly changing the playing field, I find a lot of consumers equate organic with high quality, so the extra $$$ seem worth it to them. Better to spend your few extra dollars on the planet than a fancy bottle,no? Quality perception will change if the producers dont keep delivering on quality as the market grows. BTW - I sell a vodka made fro orgnaic grain but flavored with oranges that are not certified organic, so I cant call the product organic, we get some thumbs up for using organic grain but people only buy it if they like the taste. My origianl reason for choosing the organic spirits was purely one of quality, so that's fine by me. Square One is full on committed to organics, and they belive it as shown by their commitment to Orgnanic Labels, etc., not easy to get all those pieces together, cheers to them! Also, I've seen UK5 around NY/CT lately, but not in many places, worth finding as is their Gin.
