Speak up mate, you're a little husky! Ahahaha...oh, you've heard that one?
Speak up mate, you're a little husky! Ahahaha...oh, you've heard that one?
Member since:11.10.2002
Reviews:82
Members who trust:75
If James Bond were to order an alcopop - and that's a very big if; let's say, if Scaramanga put the golden gun to his head and forced him to - it would be this one. The sleek, clear bottle with the Pierre Smirnoff name embossed in capitals around the shoulders and the sober black and silver label (you will have noticed around Christmas how many gifts aimed at men come in these colours) suggest a product that is elegant yet no-nonsense, refined yet very, very masculine.
Smirnoff Ice quickly became an alcopop classic, the standard by which other lemon-flavouredvodka premixes are judged. Black Ice, the sequel, is the first alcopop aimed deliberately at men.
Alcopops have long been seen as a girls' drink, something the manufacturers have always sought to redress - after all, it means they're missing out on 50% of the market. Personally I don't believe the statistic for an instant; I saw some very hard-looking lads shamelessly quaffing pineapple Breezers just the other day. But if market research says men need encouragement to drink alcopops, and the result is a product like Black Ice, I've no objections.
At 5.5%, this is actually no more alcoholic than the ultra-girly Archers Aqua. But it sure looks like it ought to be. The drink is completely clear (the original Ice is cloudy) which adds to its businesslike appearance. This and the smart monochrome outfit really make it stand out from the multicoloured masses in the pub fridge.
(The transparency is exploited by Smirnoff's 'As clear as your conscience' advertisements, a series I for one find objectionable and mildly offensive. Let's hope they're successful in enticing men to drink the stuff, because they're certainly putting women off it.)
The fizz factor is minimal. If this were a mineral water, it would probably be described as 'lightly sparkling'. I'm guessing this too was designed to appeal to men; lager notwithstanding, fizzy drinks carry a stigma of effeminacy. Just look at Babycham. The few bubbles are tingly on the tongue and make the drink slip down very pleasantly and easily - so watch your intake!
The taste is suspiciously similar to Smirnoff Ice in the old red label, though the lesser effervescence (try saying that after downing one) makes a surprisingly big difference. I would say it's less sweet than its predecessor, but maybe that's what the marketing is designed to make me think.
You can taste the lemon, and the vodka too. The effect is of drinking mildly citrus-flavoured, alcoholic water - which, on reflection, is exactly what it is. It's not too sugary, so it's refreshing and clean on the palate. There's a definite sharpness but no bitter taste or aftertaste at all. The lemon is neither artificial-tasting nor overpowering, letting the crisp, pure effect of the quality Smirnoff vodka come through.
Black Ice looks as if it ought to be more expensive than its garish fellows, but the cost is about average for an alcopop: under £1.50 at the supermarket (£1.39 in my local Tesco), £2 and up at your local. The bottle holds your usual 275ml.
Well I'm converted, but what of the real target? Will it lure Real Men away from the bitter and lager? Maybe. Bet they still slug it from the bottle in one go to an assortment of disgusting noises, though.
Not really a drinker any more but great op anyway maz76
fekete 08.04.2003 15:23
Great Op. However, if it's supposed to be aimed at men, where are the boys drinking the stuff - I've never seen one of them drink the stuff (nor Smirnoff Red, actually!). OK boys - where are you?!?!?
mattwood 24.03.2003 18:20
It's nice stuff - and a lot of people agree judging by the number of non-member reads you have! Matt
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