Vodka Wars
American-made Skyy Vodka kicks Absolut when its down declaring how much it loves The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Yes, a vodka maker has gotten into a history lesson. Here’s the press release:
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican-America War (1846-1848). With the signing of this treaty, the United States gained control of what was to become the Golden West, including California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. Today, SKYY® Vodka, the number-one vodka produced in the United States, spoke out against suggestions by Absolut® Vodka to disregard that treaty, as well as the joining of Texas to the Union in 1845, as depicted in Absolut’s recent advertising.
“Like SKYY Vodka, the residents of states like California, Texas and Arizona are exceptionally proud of the fact that they are from the United States of America,” said Dave Karraker, SKYY Vodka. “To imply that they might be interested in changing their mailing addresses, as our competitor seems to be suggesting in their advertising, is a bit presumptuous.”
In the ad, an “Absolut World” is depicted where the map of North America is re-drawn with Mexico claiming much of the Western United States, negating the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, as well as the Gadsden Purchase (1853), and the independence of Texas (1836).
“Don’t get me started on the Gadsden Purchase,” continues Karraker. “I think the folks in Tucson and Yuma would be rubbed the wrong way if they hear this landmark deal was somehow nullified as suggested by Absolut, a Swedish-owned brand.”
SKYY Vodka was founded in San Francisco in 1992 and continues to be produced in the United States. Premium SKYY Vodka is made from American grain carefully selected from the Midwest and 100% pure filtered water. SKYY’s proprietary four-column distillation and three-step filtration process consistently ensures exceptional quality. SKYY Vodka products include luxury SKYY90® and new SKYY Infusions™, a unique, all-natural infused experience made with premium SKYY Vodka and succulent real fruit.
It’s a clever marketing move that will probably pull a few drinkers away towards Skyy. For me I could care less. If you put Skyy and Absolut next to each other I would probably not be able to tell the difference. If others are like me it makes boycotting Absolut really easy.
“SKYY Vodka, Made in the USA, Proudly Supports Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo”
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[…] We noticed, quite casually, that the only place around us that actually uses Absolute to make its mixed drinks is Applebee’s, which means, of course, that for most people, it would have been nearly impossible to effect a boycott, as drinking at Applebee’s is just one of those things that defines Americans, like apple pie and processed cheese. But then, a light shown on the horizon: a similarly bad vodka has gone that extra mile to prove that it doesn’t think its funny to suggest to Mexicans that they band together to retake the Southwest. […]