The company that produces it, 42 BELOW Limited, is a drink manufacturing company based in Auckland. They produce the premium vodka 42 Below, and the gin, South Gin, as well as 420 spring water, which is used to create the vodka.
The 42nd parallel, which is a line of latitude, runs through the middle of New Zealand, and inspires this vodka's name. The water used to make the vodka comes from under an extinct volcano and gets the highest purity rating available.
There are several things which make this vodka awesome. One, it's a little stronger than your average liquor. Coming in at 84 proof, which of course is equal to 42% alcohol, it packs a slightly harder punch. Two, it's made with genetic engineering free wheat, so if you care about that kind of thing, you're safe with 42 Below vodka.
But the very best thing about 42 Below? This vodka is produced using methods of purity and quality that rank it as a premium vodka, very nearly super-premium. If you know your vodkas as well as my friend Simon C. Larter, you'd know that places it slightly below vodkas like Chopin, Belvedere or Stolichnaya, but above mass market brands like Absolut and Skyy. Why is this important? Because with a recent buyout by Bacardi Ltd. 42 Below is now being remarketed in the United States. It wasn't selling well at $40.00/liter so they marked it down.
I don't know how long this is going to last, but you can currently get a 1.75 liter bottle of 42 Below, the Vodka of the Valar, for $21.99 at my local liquor store. That means you're getting Grey Goose quality for Smirnoff prices. Quite a deal if you ask me.
So what about you guys? Do you drink? Can you stand vodka?
Have you ever been to Middle Earth?
Middle earth was our last vacation spot! I got some great pictures! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't drink very often, normally only on special occasions. I can do vodka, but I'm a Patron kind of girl.
~JD
I have a big ace bottle of organic vodka on my fridge. I LOVE an extra dirrrrrty vodka martini once in a while, and don't forget Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers. The vodka really makes the drink though. If you get a bad one, ugh.
ReplyDeleteBut mostly, I'm a Jameson and beer girl.
If I drank this, I might think I was in Middle Earth. I can barely tolerate a glass of merlot any more. It's sad.
ReplyDeleteBut there was a day when I drank my martini's with vodka only, and nothing near this good!
I have never been to Middle Earth, but I would love to go someday.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't stand vodka. It smells like rubbing alcohol, which smells like the doctor's office when I was a kid. Blech.
And dude, you're totally geeking out over your drinks! I love it. :-)
I've just cut beer and pop out of my diet, so I've been drinking vodka and various fruit juices instead. Will have to try this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to detect a theme from your last two posts. :P As far as the hard liquors go, I prefer vanilla rum. Not particularly sure of the brand I like, but I know it when I see it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even close to being a connoisseur, so I feel a little out of my element when leaving a comment on your recent posts. :) Just don't laugh too hard at me. Heehee!
And no, I've never been to Middle Earth, but I'd rather travel to Valinor.
Sadly, I've never been to Middle Earth. I'm also not a big drinker but when I do, it's rye all the way!
ReplyDeleteI love vodka, but am more of a scotch man myself. One surprisingly good (and underrated) vodka is X-Rated. I bought it because of the dirty name, but keep buying it because it's so damn good.
ReplyDeleteNever had this vodka but then, I'm not much of a drinker any more. My poor intestines rebel.
ReplyDeleteVodka is my go-to liquor, but I can't shoot it....
ReplyDeleteanymore.
There was an incident. I was really dumb in college (a whole year ago) and after this one night couldn't take anything straight any more. I've become mostly a wine girl.
I love vodka and will definitely have to give this a try. Your description about the way it's made makes it sound like a religious experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm a vodka fan, generally Grey Goose. I've never heard of 42, but now I'm going to have to try it!
ReplyDeleteI'm not usually a vodka fan, but I'll agree a good quality vodka is worth trying--and that's an awesome price. I think I dislike vodka because in college it was all about the giant plastic bottles you could buy for ten bucks, you know? And no one feels good after that. The last time I drank vodka straight was also the time I drank *mumbles* shots of Bacardi 151 and blacked out. Never again.
ReplyDeleteThese days, I drink beer, hard cider (woodchuck), and the vino, with an occasional highball or whisky sour.
I generally don't drink hard liquor. I like beer or champagne.
ReplyDeleteThough I owe meeting my hubby to vodka.
I met him at a party, got smashed on vodka and lemonade (wasn't used to hard liquor) and made out with him at a bar for two hours.
Very romantic.
Am I detecting a theme here?
ReplyDeleteIf tomorrow is more alcohol, I may have to take the keys ;)
Never had any alcohol in my life and have never been to middle earth. I would love to go and hope to someday.
ReplyDeleteLMFAO! For reals, i didn't even get past your first sentence before i was laughing out loud. I think from here on out we should all call new zealand middle earth.
ReplyDeleteLET IT BE SO!
I only drink the stuff mixed in with other ingredients.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm part Finnish, I'm a Finlandia vodka girl all the way. Though that might have something to do with the super cool bottle, too. ;)
Grey Goose is my fav! Did you say $21.99?! (Grabs keys on the way out the door....You know I'm part Polish, and we <3 our vodka in Poland.) Did you see my write up on Diagio (Not-So-Raw Raki Deal)? They just bought into the Turkish market so they can market Smirnoff there. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've had vodka once in my life. It was the night before my daughter competed in the state spelling bee. Her goal was to make it to the finals. I'd taken her to the bee the previous two years and was excited. Except I was also puking and so husband had to take her. Of course it was the year she made it to the finals. I will never drink vodka again. Really cool name though, 42.
ReplyDeleteThere's definitely a difference between quality liquor and cheap swill. ;) And if you're getting the good stuff at a great price...even better!
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't drink alcohol (except directly after major earthquakes) but I do come from Middle Earth (NZ) and 42 Below is legendary here -- if that counts!
ReplyDeleteI don't drink hard liquor. I'm a beer drinker. But you make this vodka sound quite appealing.
ReplyDeleteNow is that elf-made? :D
ReplyDeleteOh man, Lori, I hope so!
ReplyDeleteI'm not huge on vodka. I have had it (of course) with orange juice, cranberry juice or red bull (tastes like pez candy) in college.
ReplyDeleteummm... i had a sip of a wine cooler once when i was a kid... that's the entirety of my sordid history with alcohol. i am addicted to all sorts of things, like soda and movies and *cough* blogging *cough*- so i don't trust myself to even start! i'd be a mess- and i'm pretty sure i'd be an angry drunk! grrr!
ReplyDeleteBUT MIDDLE EARTH!!!!! i've never been, but i SOOOOO want to someday! i'd really like to braid a dwarf's beard!
Gin is my poison.
ReplyDeletemuch like your Grolsch post, I was a bit glassy-eyed til that part about the buyout and the cheaper prices. Primarily b/c JRM is a vodka drinker, and that's saving me some $$$! :D
ReplyDeleteNo, I used to drink cocktails til I got pregnant and basically went on the wagon for 3 yrs... Now it's pretty much beer & wine for me.
And for beer, I'm more the Newcastle type~ :o) <3
I'm allergic to wheat which is a shame, because Colorado has amazing micro-brew beers that I used to love. Now, I'm a wine girl (preferably red). If you find a good wine from Middle Earth, I'd love to know about it. :)
ReplyDeleteMatt, you'll be pleased to know that, during my last visit to Middle Earth, this particular vodka was going gangbusters.
ReplyDeleteFrodo's abstemious, but there was no holding back the rest of the Hobbits, and I think I even spotted Gandalf taking a slug. (He usually likes his kind of herbal.) But man, you should have seen the dwarves! Those guys can hold their liquor, despite their size. Gimli had him a couple of bottles and was barely flushed.
How about you come along on my next trip? I'm going mid-May to see if I can persuade the Elves to take part in WriteOn.com (I want to hear them read my query letter in elvish.)
vodka is my liquor of choice - and I do like a tall Cape Codder with lime and ice, or my own 'Mango Tango' a mix of Vodka and Dole Mango Pineapple Orange Juice. Just the thing after a long crappy day at some soul sucking job.
ReplyDeleteI'm a beer and wine gal, myself. The closest I've been to drinking vodka straight was Soju (the Korean equivalent). That stuff could run jet engines.
ReplyDeleteI love vodka! Especially the citrus kind! :o) But, yeah, if I'm not planning to sip the stuff a good old shot of the original is just as good :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this stuff would take me closer to Middle Earth. As in put me on the floor.
ReplyDeleteOh, but I love love LOVE Chopin! When I lived in Poland, it was THE best vodka. Now Poland knows how to do some killer vodka! I remember one night where I had ONE screwdriver and was SMASHED.
ReplyDeleteUgh. Puke. I haven't had vodka wince I had alcohol poisoning last year.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually drink vodka nor have I been to middle earth. However, book are cool!
ReplyDeleteI was born in Middle Earth.
ReplyDeleteMordor, admittedly, but hey, it actually looks quite nice in the spring.
looks....strong
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't drink, so I really know nothing about vodka. But glad you found one you like that much. ;)
ReplyDeleteNOW we're talking. I thought i was a Grey Goose girl, but I'll keep my eye out! *wink*
ReplyDeleteTruly a man after my own heart... Im doing a blog series on "comfort fiction," which is basically my favorite things focused on stories. I'm not doing alcohol, BUT the first feature is a dark, horrifically violent film that brings me comfort, and I spend half the blog trying to convince readers that I'm not really into violence :0)
ReplyDeleteCan't drink vodka, but this blog made me really, really want to...
Truly a man after my own heart... Im doing a blog series on "comfort fiction," which is basically my favorite things focused on stories. I'm not doing alcohol, BUT the first feature is a dark, horrifically violent film that brings me comfort, and I spend half the blog trying to convince readers that I'm not really into violence :0)
ReplyDeleteCan't drink vodka, but this blog made me really, really want to...
Odorless, flavorless, tasteless; never understood vodka's appeal.
ReplyDeleteUnless pouring it on someone to set them on fire.
I always end up in Middle Earth after a night out with my bestest mate Vodka. Ahem.
ReplyDelete:-) Take care
x
I don't drink, but if I did vodka is a good plant based drink to consider. ;)
ReplyDeleteVODKAAAA!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome price point for what looks like a fantastic vodka, good sir! I shall have to keep my eye out for this one on the local shelves. Though...I'm awfully loyal to Sobieski, since they sent me free stuff and all.
Still, I could be swayed by a sexy little New Zealand vodka. I mean, it's made by hobbits! What more could you ask?
I just bought a New Zealand springs scented air freshener hoping that it smelled like middle earth... and hobbits.
ReplyDeleteThe jury is still out on that one.
I think I'd ben in a lot of trouble if I ever drank vodka. Way to powerful! I couldn't tell if this was a joke or not since I'd never heard of it. And you mentioned middle earth as Hobbits. :)
ReplyDeleteTequila shots, rum 'n'Coke, Modelo beer in that order...but never all together. ;) hic
ReplyDeleteI'm fine with plain ol' beer. I find with hard stuff, I go from sober to useless before I know what hit me.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late to your vodka party, but I just stumbled upon your blog. Plus, I love vodka on the rocks so I value quality. I'll check out 42 Below. Have you tried Tito's from Austin. Very good and inexpensive.
ReplyDelete