[Zakeet]

Interesting. However, marketing research has repeatedly shown that consumers can't tell the difference in blindfold tests between the taste of one brand vs. another. This holds true for just about any commodity including soft drinks, coffee, cigarettes, whiskey, and even beer (with the exception of regular drinkers who swill 6 or more suds per night -- these dudes can usually pick out their own brand but no more).

On the other hand, the "price-quality illusion" is very much alive and well.

Bottom line -- people crazy enough to shell out the bucks for a drink of the real expensive cactus juice aren't really purchasing just a good drink.

[girlscout]

I can tell the difference between the cheap bar brand and the better stuff. There is also a difference in taste with chilled verus non-chilled. I'm a chilled Jose slammer myself with lemon and no salt. I first heard of sippin' tequila with Patron but I still prefer to just slam it back. To me that's how you should drink tequila.

[Mike Darancette]

However, marketing research has repeatedly shown that consumers can't tell the difference in blindfold tests between the taste of one brand vs. another.

With Tequila you smell it. The good stuff won't make you gag.

[MrEdd]

On the other hand, the "price-quality illusion" is very much alive and well.

Not entirely. With many distilled products more expense equal less debris and "roughage". Back in my drinking days I could only drink the distilled stuff if I didn't want an instant visit from Ralph and Earl after drinking a glass.

[discostu]

We did a blind taste test with my boss: Cuervo, Hornitos, and Patron he nailed them, actually didn't even need to taste them he got them on smell. Of course he grew up in Jalisco so he had a bit of an advantage. I can tell the difference in taste of various brands of cigarettes, and beers. Then with premium alcohols there's always the next day test, the fewer impurities creates fewer after effects. With some brands of some things there may be a price quality illusion, but not over all.