Comments on: An Open Letter to Grey Goose Vodka http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/ Jeffrey Morgenthaler is a designer, blogger and mixologist living in Eugene, Oregon Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:39:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Sven-Olaf Hansen http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-20622 Sven-Olaf Hansen Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:48:59 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-20622 Dear Jeffrey Many thanks to you and your colleagues for bringing to our attention your experiences removing the foil cap and cork on bottles of Grey Goose vodka. Please be assured that we value all feedback such as yours and I am very pleased to advise you that with immediate effect we have taken two steps to improve the quality of the foil cap on 750ml and 1 litre bottles. Firstly, we have increased the width of the tear-band itself to make removal easier and secondly we have lowered the position of the tear-band to reduce the risk of cut fingers on the foil when removing the cork. We are also currently looking into the feasibility of rounding off the lead edge of the tear-band to reduce the risk of the foil cutting under the fingernail. I hope that these actions help to reassure you that we are continually looking at ways in which we can improve the design of our bottle and foil cap and will continue to do so. Many thanks for all your support and I hope that with these new improvements you will continue to recommend Grey Goose to your customers now and in the future. Many thanks Sven-Olaf Hansen Global Brand Director Grey Goose vodka Dear Jeffrey

Many thanks to you and your colleagues for bringing to our attention your experiences removing the foil cap and cork on bottles of Grey Goose vodka.

Please be assured that we value all feedback such as yours and I am very pleased to advise you that with immediate effect we have taken two steps to improve the quality of the foil cap on 750ml and 1 litre bottles. Firstly, we have increased the width of the tear-band itself to make removal easier and secondly we have lowered the position of the tear-band to reduce the risk of cut fingers on the foil when removing the cork. We are also currently looking into the feasibility of rounding off the lead edge of the tear-band to reduce the risk of the foil cutting under the fingernail.

I hope that these actions help to reassure you that we are continually looking at ways in which we can improve the design of our bottle and foil cap and will continue to do so.

Many thanks for all your support and I hope that with these new improvements you will continue to recommend Grey Goose to your customers now and in the future.

Many thanks

Sven-Olaf Hansen

Global Brand Director
Grey Goose vodka

]]> By: Darryl http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-19614 Darryl Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:45:20 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-19614 I don't like all the sugar that gathers under the cap of the Cointreau bottle. But other than that, no metal seal horror stories of my own yet. On the other side of the coin, how about GOOD bottle/cap design? I like Absolut's cap the best. It feels thick and hefty. It screws easily. There's no damn sealant glue or metallic wrap or cork. As for bottle design, I think few can beat Skyy vodka for pure pretty. I don’t like all the sugar that gathers under the cap of the Cointreau bottle. But other than that, no metal seal horror stories of my own yet.

On the other side of the coin, how about GOOD bottle/cap design? I like Absolut’s cap the best. It feels thick and hefty. It screws easily. There’s no damn sealant glue or metallic wrap or cork. As for bottle design, I think few can beat Skyy vodka for pure pretty.

]]> By: cristina http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-19078 cristina Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:57:04 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-19078 We take off the foil completley with a wine key prior to the when we open. Those silly boys I work with make balls out of the foil to hurl at one another. Ouch! We take off the foil completley with a wine key prior to the when we open. Those silly boys I work with make balls out of the foil to hurl at one another. Ouch!

]]> By: Dr. Bamboo http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18589 Dr. Bamboo Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:48:44 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18589 It's stories like this that remind me why I drink gin. ;-) It’s stories like this that remind me why I drink gin. ;-)

]]> By: Smach http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18408 Smach Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:18:19 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18408 Maker's Mark. I hate using my teeth to open a bottle. Whaddayagonnado? Maker’s Mark. I hate using my teeth to open a bottle. Whaddayagonnado?

]]> By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18407 Jeffrey Morgenthaler Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:41:20 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18407 Before someone jumps on this, Booze Dummy, I'll point out that Galliano does come in relatively-convenient 375 mL bottles that should fit on your shelf. My only problem with Galliano is that by the time you've finished a bottle, the pour spout has been cemented to the glass by a thick, yellow epoxy that requires placing the whole contraption in the dishwasher in order to remove it! Before someone jumps on this, Booze Dummy, I’ll point out that Galliano does come in relatively-convenient 375 mL bottles that should fit on your shelf.

My only problem with Galliano is that by the time you’ve finished a bottle, the pour spout has been cemented to the glass by a thick, yellow epoxy that requires placing the whole contraption in the dishwasher in order to remove it!

]]> By: Booze Dummy http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18406 Booze Dummy Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:36:08 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18406 How about Galliano? Now there's a real treat. Not only is it delicious, but it's packaged in such a convenient bottle. Any bottle 3 frikkin' feet tall fits so well on my shelves... But, we can't NOT stock it, because without that wonderful elixir, cocktail masterpieces like the Baywatch, Freddy Fudpucker, Dirty Orgasm, Italian Screw, Urine Sample, and the Virulent Death (all taken from WebTender) would be impossible to create. Do I sound a little bitter??? How about Galliano? Now there’s a real treat. Not only is it delicious, but it’s packaged in such a convenient bottle. Any bottle 3 frikkin’ feet tall fits so well on my shelves…

But, we can’t NOT stock it, because without that wonderful elixir, cocktail masterpieces like the Baywatch, Freddy Fudpucker, Dirty Orgasm, Italian Screw, Urine Sample, and the Virulent Death (all taken from WebTender) would be impossible to create.

Do I sound a little bitter???

]]> By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18357 Jeffrey Morgenthaler Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:21:36 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18357 True, and you can't get a speed-pourer into a Patron bottle without leakage. One of my personal pet peeves is cheap metal twist-off caps whose threads strip, leaving me to break out some sort of knife and cut the whole damn thing off. Also, Hendricks gin, while packaged in a lovely bottle, has such a small neck that it is nearly impossible to retrieve my metal speed pourers from a spent bottle. True, and you can’t get a speed-pourer into a Patron bottle without leakage.

One of my personal pet peeves is cheap metal twist-off caps whose threads strip, leaving me to break out some sort of knife and cut the whole damn thing off.

Also, Hendricks gin, while packaged in a lovely bottle, has such a small neck that it is nearly impossible to retrieve my metal speed pourers from a spent bottle.

]]> By: Booze Dummy http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18356 Booze Dummy Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:19:58 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18356 Patron. I hate that squat little square bottle that is twice as thick as it needs to be. It nearly takes two hands to pour the damn thing and when close to full, 6 ounces seems to end up all over the bar instead of the glass. Patron. I hate that squat little square bottle that is twice as thick as it needs to be. It nearly takes two hands to pour the damn thing and when close to full, 6 ounces seems to end up all over the bar instead of the glass.

]]> By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18316 Jeffrey Morgenthaler Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:41:23 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18316 I also practice the ultra-quick heave-ho on all liquor bottles and wines by the glass, but every once in a while I'll come across a stubborn specimen and have to resort to more traditional methods. Other bottles you love to hate, folks? I also practice the ultra-quick heave-ho on all liquor bottles and wines by the glass, but every once in a while I’ll come across a stubborn specimen and have to resort to more traditional methods.

Other bottles you love to hate, folks?

]]> By: Jamie Boudreau http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18314 Jamie Boudreau Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:28:34 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18314 I'm with Keith. ALL spirit bottles and wine by the glass bottles get the ultra-quick heave-ho without having to deal with cut hands. But, please, sue the Goose, for making a product as painful to get at as to drink. I’m with Keith. ALL spirit bottles and wine by the glass bottles get the ultra-quick heave-ho without having to deal with cut hands.
But, please, sue the Goose, for making a product as painful to get at as to drink.

]]> By: david shenaut http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18312 david shenaut Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:03:40 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18312 Thank you for speaking on this subject. When pouring vodka it seems that speed is the formost concern of my client(who prefers a low cal-tasteless spirit). My hands have been greatly mis-treated by the goose. Therefore, I'll often offer the super premium with the screw top knowing that the goose is getting low. Thank you for speaking on this subject. When pouring vodka it seems that speed is the formost concern of my client(who prefers a low cal-tasteless spirit). My hands have been greatly mis-treated by the goose. Therefore, I’ll often offer the super premium with the screw top knowing that the goose is getting low.

]]> By: Steve the Liquor Store Guy http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18261 Steve the Liquor Store Guy Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:38:19 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18261 I'm too poor to have much experience with Grey Goose, but even I know about the hazards involved with opening that bottle. Is there any real benefit to using a cork with top-shelf vodka? Or is it just a superficial way to make your bottle look fancier? I’m too poor to have much experience with Grey Goose, but even I know about the hazards involved with opening that bottle.

Is there any real benefit to using a cork with top-shelf vodka? Or is it just a superficial way to make your bottle look fancier?

]]> By: sarah http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18227 sarah Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:16:57 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18227 TOTALLY! Whenever i make it past the wine foil with no injury the Grey Goose is there to humble my poor hand. thanks for pointing it out maybe we should get a petition? TOTALLY! Whenever i make it past the wine foil with no injury the Grey Goose is there to humble my poor hand. thanks for pointing it out maybe we should get a petition?

]]> By: dclark http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18156 dclark Sat, 27 Oct 2007 02:16:23 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18156 sorry 'bout your hand, maybe this story will cheer you up! http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/10/26/mf.drinking.storries/index.html sorry ’bout your hand, maybe this story will cheer you up!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/10/26/mf.drinking.storries/index.html

]]> By: Dominik MJ http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18140 Dominik MJ Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:57:43 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18140 The procedure, what Keith just commented is working with Grey Goose as well (it is more difficult as it is a bit of a show of strength...) - however you don't even need to get the cork out of the cap - because you still have the old cork of the old bottle, right? I am also sometimes annoyed by the packaging design (e.g. I normally pull of directly all caps - but sometimes there is paper which is glued over the cap - so the new bottle looks directly like crap; or the plastic "pour sprouts" on many bottles (Bols) which you first have to remove, before you can use a normal pourer; several years ago I hurt myself, while removing one of this caps with a knife - so I had to go to hospital...). Why don't you file a suit? Cheers! Dominik MJ The procedure, what Keith just commented is working with Grey Goose as well (it is more difficult as it is a bit of a show of strength…) - however you don’t even need to get the cork out of the cap - because you still have the old cork of the old bottle, right?

I am also sometimes annoyed by the packaging design (e.g. I normally pull of directly all caps - but sometimes there is paper which is glued over the cap - so the new bottle looks directly like crap; or the plastic “pour sprouts” on many bottles (Bols) which you first have to remove, before you can use a normal pourer; several years ago I hurt myself, while removing one of this caps with a knife - so I had to go to hospital…).

Why don’t you file a suit?

Cheers!

Dominik MJ

]]> By: Keith http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18128 Keith Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:37:42 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18128 I've found that the metal seals on some bottles can just be pulled straight off the top of the bottle. I do this with most wine bottles, but even scotch or whisky bottles work. Sometimes the cork will come with it, but it's much easier (and less injury prone) to pull the excess metal off just the cork. I really don't enjoy vodka, so I can't vouch for the ability to do that with a Grey Goose bottle. I’ve found that the metal seals on some bottles can just be pulled straight off the top of the bottle. I do this with most wine bottles, but even scotch or whisky bottles work. Sometimes the cork will come with it, but it’s much easier (and less injury prone) to pull the excess metal off just the cork. I really don’t enjoy vodka, so I can’t vouch for the ability to do that with a Grey Goose bottle.

]]> By: Jimmy http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18121 Jimmy Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:06:34 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18121 Good post! I have run into many bad bottles, but the Goose takes the cake. That pointy little thing where you start ripping the foil off cuts my finger UNDERNEATH my fingernail every time. Maybe I should learn and just not open the next one? Good post! I have run into many bad bottles, but the Goose takes the cake. That pointy little thing where you start ripping the foil off cuts my finger UNDERNEATH my fingernail every time. Maybe I should learn and just not open the next one?

]]> By: Scottes http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18120 Scottes Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:30:49 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18120 Sometimes I wonder if these companies ever try their products before shipping them. I've run into many odd bottles of rum - sometimes they're not easily poured, sometimes the caps always crack, sometimes they have little inserts that just won't allow the spirit out of the bottle. Please! Try your product before shipping it out! Sometimes I wonder if these companies ever try their products before shipping them. I’ve run into many odd bottles of rum - sometimes they’re not easily poured, sometimes the caps always crack, sometimes they have little inserts that just won’t allow the spirit out of the bottle. Please! Try your product before shipping it out!

]]> By: Rick http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18116 Rick Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:50:52 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18116 I've experienced this medieval torture with the Bacardi 8 bottle as well. I’ve experienced this medieval torture with the Bacardi 8 bottle as well.

]]> By: Darcy http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18109 Darcy Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:11:18 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/an-open-letter-to-grey-goose-vodka/#comment-18109 Good letter. I know the Grey Goose cap seal has ripped apart my fingers a few times. I think it is because of Grey Goose that I turned part of my bar kit bag into a first aid kit. Liquid Bandaid does wonders, plus it won't slip off your wet fingers into the ice bin or someones drink. Good letter. I know the Grey Goose cap seal has ripped apart my fingers a few times. I think it is because of Grey Goose that I turned part of my bar kit bag into a first aid kit.

Liquid Bandaid does wonders, plus it won’t slip off your wet fingers into the ice bin or someones drink.

]]>