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Go Back   Pollensa Forum > ONCE YOU'RE THERE > Shopping

Shopping Looking to buy something specific? Want to recommend a favourite shop or market?

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  #1  
Old 30-08-2011, 06:58
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Default Fake Vodka.

We were in Puerto Pollnsa early august, and saw bottles of Smirnoff appearing in the shops for around 9 euros or less, a really good price, bought some, and thought nothing of it. On our return to the UK I saw on TV, that parts of spain and Majorca were being flooded with bottles of fake smirnoff. The way to tell fakes is, below the main red Smirnoff label, is a horizontal band label. If this band is red, the bottles are fake. The band should be silver. The fake bottles contain diluted pure alchohol and other chemicals. That said I had no after effects of drinking it. But be aware. What you see is not always what you get.
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Old 30-08-2011, 09:01
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Thanks for the warning - I'm a Bacardi person myself but its certainly worth being aware of, just in case
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Old 30-08-2011, 09:22
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Is there any suggestion it is dangerous to drink? They have always sold really cheap Vodka in the Spars and other places around the port at around 6 euros a bottle, I assume someone may be trying to pass this off as the real thing now?
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Old 30-08-2011, 11:45
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Counterfeit vodka that has been found in the UK is said to be dangerous. It has high levels of methanol which can lead to poisoning. Here is an article from the BBC, although it is 'Glens Vodka'. BBC NEWS | England | Surrey | Warning over fake vodka dangers
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Old 30-08-2011, 15:50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cherylbb View Post
Counterfeit vodka that has been found in the UK is said to be dangerous. It has high levels of methanol which can lead to poisoning. Here is an article from the BBC, although it is 'Glens Vodka'. BBC NEWS | England | Surrey | Warning over fake vodka dangers

Hmmmm!!! Methanol, a componant of antifreeze. Well look on the bright side it will stop you freezing up in the winter Hic
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Old 31-08-2011, 11:30
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Aren't all drinks diluted alcohol? I bought a couple of bottles for my daughter and her crew, as you can imagine the bottles are no longer around to check I got them from the shop across from Nostalgia, must check the label next time, thanks for the warning.
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Old 31-08-2011, 12:17
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I only drink white wine so wouldn't know about this but nobody has reported any ill effects from drinking this vodka so i don't think there is any danger that it has spiked with anti-freeze.
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Old 31-08-2011, 12:41
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Thats ok then Sparky, in fact most of the side effects from the fake stuff are the same as I get from normal alcohol!
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Old 31-08-2011, 13:26
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Its not 'spiked' with antifreeze, its just that higher levels are produced during the distilling process. We have had warnings on the local news so I think its a very widespread problem. You pays your money & you makes your choice
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Old 31-08-2011, 16:08
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I am sorry i think i may have misunderstood this, i was thinking Lost Soul meant it was cheap vodka being disguised as Smirnoff, a bit like the "Smells Like" perfumes and because he said he suffered no ill effects i assumed it was safe.
However i have not seen anything here in the press or on TV about this problem.
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  #11  
Old 01-09-2011, 16:16
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It was on the Spanish news and the national press here sparky, I do not think the D. Buletin or sky news would have reported it.
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Old 01-09-2011, 17:03
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Majprop, i don't have Sky TV and i wasn't saying it hadn't been reported here, i just must have missed it. Maybe would have if i was a vodka drinker. Lets just hope the authorities do something about it.
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  #13  
Old 01-09-2011, 22:51
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In July in Boston, Lincolnshire, England there was an explosion with 5 deaths at an industrial unit manufacturing illegal alcohol.

BBC News - Signs of alcohol-making at Boston fatal explosion site

BBC News - 'Growing problem' of illegally distilled alcohol

The Drinks Business Article HMRC to target fake alcohol retailers

One of the chemicals used is Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Isopropyl alcohol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Isopropyl Alcohol

This is Lincolnshire | Shop sold fake vodka

When we use Isopropyl alcohol as an electronics cleaning solvent at work we must wear latex gloves to protect skin and not breath the fumes in, hard to believe it is in something people drink....
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  #14  
Old 02-09-2011, 07:35
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Surely the authorities would step in and ensure that any product which potentially could harm health would not be available to the public? Certainly Mallorca doesn't need any bad press to influence it's tourist trade. All a little worrying!
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Old 02-09-2011, 07:46
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Me thinks this is being blown out of all proportion can confirm over the summer my family and our guest have consumed quite a considerable number of bottles of vodka all different makes and labels all purchased in the Port and we are all alive and kicking. Vodka is the base for most cocktails in our house and Mrs P and her girl friends have a cocktail hour from 5pm to around 2am most days when they are staying at our place LOL
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