Trying drinks that he doesn't like and having exaggerated reactions to them is part of what he does to get views. I must admit that it can be entertaining watching inexperienced westerners react to baijiu, but it is obvious that he didn't do much research. I left a rather long comment on his video with some explanation and my own experiences. Others have added their own thoughts in the comments. Hopefully, people who watch that video and become curious rather than disgusted will look to the comments, do their own research, and try it for themselves. Westerners don't always hate baijiu from the first taste. I have no connection to China, but I loved baijiu the very first time I tried it, and I like all of the major styles. It can be a potent and aggressive spirit, especially in the strong and sauce categories. I like that aggressiveness. Being knocked in the head by a challenging spirit that has many layers of complexity wakes me up and truly makes me feel alive. I get a similar feeling from other intense spirits, such as grappa, slivovitz, absinthe (if I drink it neat), and some cask strength whiskies, but there is nothing quite like baijiu. The lighter styles of baijiu have their place too. They pair well with many kinds of food, and a glass of erguotou on the rocks is a refreshing drink for a hot day. I once did a tasting flight of one of each of the four major varieties - rice, light, strong, and sauce - and the people there enjoyed it. I was rather surprised, as some others I've given it to have reacted more as Greg did. I have found that I can predict reactions based on how adventurous people are; those who are curious and eager to try new things are more likely to give it a fair chance. I just wish I could find more rice aroma baijiu. It's difficult to get in California for some reason. The only one I've found is from Oregon (Vinn) and that distillery is no longer in operation. The next time I go to 99 Ranch, I'll have to take a close look at the baijiu selection and see if I can find one.
@@heatherharrison264 Thank you for the comment, I feel so much of this. And I share your pain regarding the lack of rice aroma options, at this point I'd kill for a basic bottle of Sanhuajiu to review. 😔
I mean, that whole video was entirely based on the principle of charity; he tried Kaoliang on a different video and said it tasted horrible, got a bunch of comments that said he should try another one, and so he went and got all the Baijiu he could in order to find ones he could make cocktails with. If you watch the video, he even finds one that isn't too bad. It's honestly a very special spirit that takes a lot to get used to. The sorghum does create the taste of rotting garbage, and I think his reactions were pretty similar to how most of us reacted when we tried it the first time. Also, Moutai isn't a spirits company. Moutai/Maotai is a type of baijiu that can only be produced in the town of Maotai.
I would think that, when confronted by something you personally find confusing and off-putting but that an entire culture takes very seriously, the "charitable" thing to do would be to consider whether you might be missing something - and maybe go do some reading or ask questions to someone more knowledgeable. I don't see buying more bottles for your channel and then making a gross-out video with them as really being in that spirit, honestly. I dunno, maybe I'm mistaken, this one has really set me off. And Kweichow Moutai is indeed the largest spirits company in the world. IIRC there did indeed used to be a couple of distilleries in the town of Maotai before the civil war, but they were merged (in the '50s or '60s?) into just the one company. So there is a distinction between Maotai the style (and legal designation) and Kweichow Moutai the producer, you're right, but that's a distinction without much difference.
I had a strange feeling as I made a brief rant against this approach in his comments 3 hours ago. Should have figured this might be coming. FYI your link to the Derek Sandhaus video in your description actually goes to the H2D video in question.
In a light (weird way) this video strikes me like the old "leave Britney alone". Don't get me wrong, you do have a point about that is more entertainment than informative his video but... that is WHY HTD is a big RUclips channel, is entertainment, not the Discovery Channel. 9 of out of 10 times if you present a newcomer in whiskey with Laphroaig 10 cask strength or an Octomore, he/she would probably end traumatized by the smoke, the brine and iodine notes present in the dram, the same thing if you put a carolina reaper to a person who thinks that pepper is spicy. The thing is, even at that point, is a matter of taste and personal perception. Sure, you can work your way up on the scoville or peat amount that you tolerate, but that doesn't make it any better, just and acquired taste and, for the western/american palate, that's it, and extreme flavour that can be acquired but won't be acceptable to a normal person. Greg had tried it before and now even tried several bottles of it, and still didn't like it, and that's it, there is not much more to talk about the video. Simply entertainment. And by the way, he still isn't a fan of drinking peaty whisky neat, that sounds like someone that won't like baijiu in his lifetime.
That first thought is an interesting comparison, given just how _completely right on_ the "Leave Brittney Alone" video now seems a decade and change on. Dang but we were wrong to not leave Brittney alone fam. Of course H2D is primarily entertainment these days, I kind of take that for granted. It may have been cocktailing education type stuff years before - I preferred that era tbh - but that ship seems to have sailed. But there's a big difference between "let's laugh at these disgusting cocktails my supporters are making me drink" - and "let's laugh at how weird an entire culture's traditional spirit is without making any basic effort to even explain or understand it." Put it this way: even if someone isn't a fan of peated malts either, I'm pretty sure they'd at least make sure they understand the absolute basics - where Islay is, what malted barley is, how peat smoke gets into it - before putting themselves in front of the camera to make silly faces. Because peated malt is _respectable_ and stuff. But baijiu? ...Well, that's just sorghum liquor that guys shoot to feel macho, isn't it? (Point being, entertainment isn't necessarily a neutral category. It can, among other things, perpetuate derogatory attitudes and justify incuriosity towards what doesn't already fit our standards.)
There are actually different types of baijiu (I'm not an expert so I can't really list them here) that can vary wildly in taste. Personally, I do not like Er Guo Tuo. Moutai, on the other hand, is amazing. These two are different types of baijiu, and are hardly comparable anyways because of the huge difference in price, but I'm sure others would find Er Guo Tuo closer to their taste.
I'm aware! I've tasted out most of the central styles (rice aroma is the one that's weirdly hard to get ahold of in the States) and a few of the prominent other styles here on the channel. Lots of that in the attached links. I had to choose the level of nuance I was going for in this thing. 😅
I'm not going to say Greg is racist, but it did make me uncomfortable seeing him just relentlessly slam baiju and react to it with disgust. Like, nobody likes everything, but maybe don't do a video if it's not for you. He's *so* much more entertaining when he's doing what he loves & appreciates. HTD has become more of a gross out challenge channel instead of a cocktail appreciation channel, and I find myself less and less engaged with it. It's a little sad because I think he's smart and usually pretty funny without having to resort to stunts.
@@Antaios632 I agree, I think. I mean, as I say somewhere else in this mass of comments, I really do understand the need to chase views when a mortgage payment is due, but there does need to be a line. And people who are neither dumb nor skeevy can still do dumb, skeevy things!
I agree! I do that several times a week here on my little channel. 😁 But my being on a public platform also implies certain norms and responsibilities - for example, that I do the best I can to provide facts when they're available and correct myself when I get it wrong, and that I try my best to understand and respect and make the best case for whatever I'm talking about, stuff like that. And, like, I try to remember that what I say has effects, and that my viewers are intelligent, reasoning, acting agents rather than beings to be milked for views and donations.
I ve unsubbed from htd for almost a year now. The channel has gone downwards... It got its ups during the pandemic, but instead of keeping the quality or even shutting the channel down and go do something else, they decided to try and milk the fly with that one... Nothing more to see honestly from that team.
I'm not aware of specific complaints about Kweichou Moutai or any Erguotou producers, but I'd be glad to hear about whatever you know. On the other hand, if you mean the current government of China, and particularly if you mean policy choices in the last decade or so... I mean, yeah, there is that. I've struggled in the past with regards to what to do about spirits coming from countries with less-than-ideal states, or going through less-than-ideal distribution channels - it comes up a lot with rum, for example - and I've pretty much decided to err on the side of cultural openness and celebration of these peoples and their products. That carries some risks, but I like to think that community and mutual respect can sometimes help counteract bad behavior.
@TAinWufu is drinking tequila shots for manliness racist too? How about chugging a beer like a frat kid? Nothing he said is close to the definition of racism so its a huge stretch to say mocking the macho aspect of baijiu is racist.
@@MatthewsGauss that's not the point. It's the dismissive attitude. The lack of curiosity. The assumptions made. The close mindedness. It's sad really.
@@steveno7058 Thanks. I don't know if it's Asia in particular in this case... okay, yes, that's a thing too... versus a perceived lack of general familiarity among one's peers being a green light for disparagement. Thing different, no one I know has much interest or respect in Thing, so let's use Thing for the lulz.
Sadly I haven't been a member in like a decade, and Illinois is one of those states where the public can't come in for alcohol. But once I start buying huge packs of steaks again, this project goes on my list!
Just a heads up baijiu is pronounced like “bye joe” with an American J, not a French J like in Jacques. The Mandarin and English J are the same. Also, Baijiu is fucking heinous and there a so many great Chinese wines out there, as someone who lived in China for many years and had many shots of Baijiu at weddings, I have no problem with someone saying it’s bad. When someone says Malort is bad I don’t say they’re racist against Swedes.
I watched the Malort video, and as I recall there was a lot more information about Malort/Besk - and respect offered to the category - included in that case than with baijiu in this case. And Malort, remember, is the one that intentionally markets itself as gross. Again, the problem isn't people having opinions, it's monetizing the derision of an entire category - loved and respected by many, if certainly not by everyone - while not seeing any need to bother engaging with the basic facts of that category.
@@differentspirits4157 That is completely fair. I am not a viewer of your channel but it's clear from this video that you are thoughtful in engaging with products from other cultures and treating them fairly. I don't think I need to tell you this, but I imagine that is simply not a standard the average western youtuber is at. You're right, I was a bit flippant when I called it "heinous," it is a very culturally significant spirit that deserves a deeper exploration than just "it's gross."
It’s pretty clear that Greg’s HTD channel’s best days are behind it, and he’s struggling to stay relevant and keep viewers. It’s unfortunate that he’s resorting to typical juvenile bully tactics to do it. Shame on him.
@@joshuaevans5983 I mean, I feel the pain to a certain extent I guess? There's only so much cocktailing material that's going to draw an audience which can pay the mortgage, and only so many times you can make a Negroni video over again. So you end up heading over to WORST COCKTAILS EVER and such. I do get the need to pander a little, I do. But man, there has to be a line.
@@differentspirits4157Definitely. It’s been a couple years since I was a regular viewer of his channel, but a saw a recent video where he was lamenting that he’s tried a bunch of stuff to get another big view video, but nothing has really hit. Unfortunately, instead of taking the high road with new content, he seems to think the low road is the path to success. Oh well. Time to unsubscribe I guess.
This video falls flat to a skeptical viewer such as myself because you haven't explained why his video was harmful. It is not harmful to make content that is entertaining rather than educational. It is also not harmful to make fun of a product that someone else likes (HTD doesn't mock people who enjoy it, he focuses solely on the product). Neither of those are convincing arguments. Obviously it is completely reasonable to find such content unappealing, but insinuating that someone is an asshole for posting harmless content is in very poor taste.
I mean, I don't think I can point to a wronged party in the legal sense, but I'm dead certain that somewhere in those million-odd subs are folks who appreciate strongly flavored spirits like peated malts and high-ester rums and who might really enjoy baijiu as well, except that they've never heard of it (or at least know almost nothing about it) and this is their first real exposure to the category. And what they have been told is effectively no useful facts about baijiu, only also that it's the worst liquor ever, that it's worse than malort (a spirit that sells itself on being gross), that it's barely fit for human consumption, and that no one actually likes it and it's only consumed in macho shots contests. It's poisoning the well, and I do feel that that's actively harmful to a SpiritsTube community which is (I like to think) at least partly about broadening our horizons and exchanging good information. Pick whatever terms you're willing or unwilling to call that: I'll go with "poor form."
Chastising people for having a subjective opinion is pointless. There is also the streisand effect to think about, because I never saw the video you criticized, but now I will
My bro. There is a difference between not liking something, even not liking something incredibly important and popular for another culture, and making a 27 minute video ridiculing it - without context, without any good faith effort to even explain what the thing is - in front of an audience of millions, for ad and patreon money.
@@differentspirits4157 No there is not when its a subjective opinion. His business is getting views, that what he lives off of. His living is not being cultural ambassador. Its not his job to open doors for Baiju in the west. I have no stake in him being right or wrong, but it is totally fine for him to make a video giving his opinion, just like it is fine for you to make your video with your subjective take on his video. People hate some of the stuff you like and you hate some stuff they like. Its the way of the world and what makes it interesting. You would be bored out of your mind if we all liked things in the same way, because there would be nothing different to try and discover.
Why do "everything's subjective" and "let people like/hate things" takes always come out in defense of the bad behavior of powerful parties with big audiences? If this video were just from some guy with a handful of subs we'd all write it off as what it is, as bad taste trolling for views at the expense of a category he doesn't even bother trying to understand - but because it's H2D it's "his opinion" and it's "totally fine."
@@differentspirits4157 I suspect european bros go through that phase rather earlier (around 17 on avergae, I'd guess) than their american counterparts, before they're able to spend their parents money in that fashion.
Trying drinks that he doesn't like and having exaggerated reactions to them is part of what he does to get views. I must admit that it can be entertaining watching inexperienced westerners react to baijiu, but it is obvious that he didn't do much research. I left a rather long comment on his video with some explanation and my own experiences. Others have added their own thoughts in the comments. Hopefully, people who watch that video and become curious rather than disgusted will look to the comments, do their own research, and try it for themselves.
Westerners don't always hate baijiu from the first taste. I have no connection to China, but I loved baijiu the very first time I tried it, and I like all of the major styles. It can be a potent and aggressive spirit, especially in the strong and sauce categories. I like that aggressiveness. Being knocked in the head by a challenging spirit that has many layers of complexity wakes me up and truly makes me feel alive. I get a similar feeling from other intense spirits, such as grappa, slivovitz, absinthe (if I drink it neat), and some cask strength whiskies, but there is nothing quite like baijiu. The lighter styles of baijiu have their place too. They pair well with many kinds of food, and a glass of erguotou on the rocks is a refreshing drink for a hot day.
I once did a tasting flight of one of each of the four major varieties - rice, light, strong, and sauce - and the people there enjoyed it. I was rather surprised, as some others I've given it to have reacted more as Greg did. I have found that I can predict reactions based on how adventurous people are; those who are curious and eager to try new things are more likely to give it a fair chance.
I just wish I could find more rice aroma baijiu. It's difficult to get in California for some reason. The only one I've found is from Oregon (Vinn) and that distillery is no longer in operation. The next time I go to 99 Ranch, I'll have to take a close look at the baijiu selection and see if I can find one.
@@heatherharrison264 Thank you for the comment, I feel so much of this. And I share your pain regarding the lack of rice aroma options, at this point I'd kill for a basic bottle of Sanhuajiu to review. 😔
I mean, that whole video was entirely based on the principle of charity; he tried Kaoliang on a different video and said it tasted horrible, got a bunch of comments that said he should try another one, and so he went and got all the Baijiu he could in order to find ones he could make cocktails with. If you watch the video, he even finds one that isn't too bad. It's honestly a very special spirit that takes a lot to get used to. The sorghum does create the taste of rotting garbage, and I think his reactions were pretty similar to how most of us reacted when we tried it the first time.
Also, Moutai isn't a spirits company. Moutai/Maotai is a type of baijiu that can only be produced in the town of Maotai.
I would think that, when confronted by something you personally find confusing and off-putting but that an entire culture takes very seriously, the "charitable" thing to do would be to consider whether you might be missing something - and maybe go do some reading or ask questions to someone more knowledgeable. I don't see buying more bottles for your channel and then making a gross-out video with them as really being in that spirit, honestly. I dunno, maybe I'm mistaken, this one has really set me off.
And Kweichow Moutai is indeed the largest spirits company in the world. IIRC there did indeed used to be a couple of distilleries in the town of Maotai before the civil war, but they were merged (in the '50s or '60s?) into just the one company. So there is a distinction between Maotai the style (and legal designation) and Kweichow Moutai the producer, you're right, but that's a distinction without much difference.
@@differentspirits4157if something tastes bad it tastes bad to that person. Theg arent taking a cultural jab at them.
I had a strange feeling as I made a brief rant against this approach in his comments 3 hours ago. Should have figured this might be coming.
FYI your link to the Derek Sandhaus video in your description actually goes to the H2D video in question.
@@none_remaining Fixed, thanks!! Kinda did this in a hurry... 😅
In a light (weird way) this video strikes me like the old "leave Britney alone". Don't get me wrong, you do have a point about that is more entertainment than informative his video but... that is WHY HTD is a big RUclips channel, is entertainment, not the Discovery Channel.
9 of out of 10 times if you present a newcomer in whiskey with Laphroaig 10 cask strength or an Octomore, he/she would probably end traumatized by the smoke, the brine and iodine notes present in the dram, the same thing if you put a carolina reaper to a person who thinks that pepper is spicy. The thing is, even at that point, is a matter of taste and personal perception. Sure, you can work your way up on the scoville or peat amount that you tolerate, but that doesn't make it any better, just and acquired taste and, for the western/american palate, that's it, and extreme flavour that can be acquired but won't be acceptable to a normal person. Greg had tried it before and now even tried several bottles of it, and still didn't like it, and that's it, there is not much more to talk about the video. Simply entertainment.
And by the way, he still isn't a fan of drinking peaty whisky neat, that sounds like someone that won't like baijiu in his lifetime.
That first thought is an interesting comparison, given just how _completely right on_ the "Leave Brittney Alone" video now seems a decade and change on. Dang but we were wrong to not leave Brittney alone fam.
Of course H2D is primarily entertainment these days, I kind of take that for granted. It may have been cocktailing education type stuff years before - I preferred that era tbh - but that ship seems to have sailed. But there's a big difference between "let's laugh at these disgusting cocktails my supporters are making me drink" - and "let's laugh at how weird an entire culture's traditional spirit is without making any basic effort to even explain or understand it." Put it this way: even if someone isn't a fan of peated malts either, I'm pretty sure they'd at least make sure they understand the absolute basics - where Islay is, what malted barley is, how peat smoke gets into it - before putting themselves in front of the camera to make silly faces. Because peated malt is _respectable_ and stuff. But baijiu? ...Well, that's just sorghum liquor that guys shoot to feel macho, isn't it? (Point being, entertainment isn't necessarily a neutral category. It can, among other things, perpetuate derogatory attitudes and justify incuriosity towards what doesn't already fit our standards.)
There are actually different types of baijiu (I'm not an expert so I can't really list them here) that can vary wildly in taste. Personally, I do not like Er Guo Tuo. Moutai, on the other hand, is amazing. These two are different types of baijiu, and are hardly comparable anyways because of the huge difference in price, but I'm sure others would find Er Guo Tuo closer to their taste.
I'm aware! I've tasted out most of the central styles (rice aroma is the one that's weirdly hard to get ahold of in the States) and a few of the prominent other styles here on the channel. Lots of that in the attached links. I had to choose the level of nuance I was going for in this thing. 😅
Had to fill up my cup with baijiu for this video. Absolutely love Baijiu.
Ganbei! I had a bit of Kinmen Kaolaing Black a few hours ago, it seemed appropriate... 😁
I love baijiu. I know what you mean regarding the juvenile humor that often corrupts social media and whisky tube.
@@prestonw3878 Thanks! I'm pretty okay with a fair amount of juvenile humor, just not the "picking on the new kid for being different" kind...
I'm not going to say Greg is racist, but it did make me uncomfortable seeing him just relentlessly slam baiju and react to it with disgust. Like, nobody likes everything, but maybe don't do a video if it's not for you. He's *so* much more entertaining when he's doing what he loves & appreciates. HTD has become more of a gross out challenge channel instead of a cocktail appreciation channel, and I find myself less and less engaged with it. It's a little sad because I think he's smart and usually pretty funny without having to resort to stunts.
@@Antaios632 I agree, I think. I mean, as I say somewhere else in this mass of comments, I really do understand the need to chase views when a mortgage payment is due, but there does need to be a line. And people who are neither dumb nor skeevy can still do dumb, skeevy things!
“It’s only ok when Buffalo Trace makes it.”
But seriously, they did a pretty solid job. Good luck finding it!
Honestly I'd love to try the Buffalo Trace baijiu, even if it... well, isn't. Their weird side projects are often the most fun part of the operation.
People should be allowed to express their opinions on a drink :D.
I agree! I do that several times a week here on my little channel. 😁 But my being on a public platform also implies certain norms and responsibilities - for example, that I do the best I can to provide facts when they're available and correct myself when I get it wrong, and that I try my best to understand and respect and make the best case for whatever I'm talking about, stuff like that. And, like, I try to remember that what I say has effects, and that my viewers are intelligent, reasoning, acting agents rather than beings to be milked for views and donations.
I ve unsubbed from htd for almost a year now. The channel has gone downwards... It got its ups during the pandemic, but instead of keeping the quality or even shutting the channel down and go do something else, they decided to try and milk the fly with that one... Nothing more to see honestly from that team.
I kept with them but... yeah, my interest was admittedly flagging. And then this...
I think the video that HTD put out was immature, but Er Guo Tou and Moutai don't deserve any respect if ethics has any meaning to you as a consumer.
I'm not aware of specific complaints about Kweichou Moutai or any Erguotou producers, but I'd be glad to hear about whatever you know. On the other hand, if you mean the current government of China, and particularly if you mean policy choices in the last decade or so... I mean, yeah, there is that. I've struggled in the past with regards to what to do about spirits coming from countries with less-than-ideal states, or going through less-than-ideal distribution channels - it comes up a lot with rum, for example - and I've pretty much decided to err on the side of cultural openness and celebration of these peoples and their products. That carries some risks, but I like to think that community and mutual respect can sometimes help counteract bad behavior.
That's an extreme stretch to call his take on baijiu racist because he believes it's seen as macho to drink and nobody likes it.
I absolutely agree that there is a racist element here and i never use the racist label lightly. China had been demonised over and over on all levels.
@TAinWufu is drinking tequila shots for manliness racist too? How about chugging a beer like a frat kid? Nothing he said is close to the definition of racism so its a huge stretch to say mocking the macho aspect of baijiu is racist.
@@MatthewsGauss that's not the point. It's the dismissive attitude. The lack of curiosity. The assumptions made. The close mindedness. It's sad really.
@@TAinWufu OK? Still not racist
@@MatthewsGauss that's fine. We can disagree.
Thank you for this video. I don’t know why its okay to be racist against Asian cultures in the US
@@steveno7058 Thanks. I don't know if it's Asia in particular in this case... okay, yes, that's a thing too... versus a perceived lack of general familiarity among one's peers being a green light for disparagement. Thing different, no one I know has much interest or respect in Thing, so let's use Thing for the lulz.
That spot should certainly be reserved for jeppsens malort. You're in Chicago im sorry if this offends you, but it is true
@@yankchef4067 Hey now, Malort _markets itself_ as gross! They've found a niche that works for them and that's great I guess.
How about a review of good whiskies from big stores like Costco?
Sadly I haven't been a member in like a decade, and Illinois is one of those states where the public can't come in for alcohol. But once I start buying huge packs of steaks again, this project goes on my list!
Just a heads up baijiu is pronounced like “bye joe” with an American J, not a French J like in Jacques. The Mandarin and English J are the same.
Also, Baijiu is fucking heinous and there a so many great Chinese wines out there, as someone who lived in China for many years and had many shots of Baijiu at weddings, I have no problem with someone saying it’s bad. When someone says Malort is bad I don’t say they’re racist against Swedes.
I watched the Malort video, and as I recall there was a lot more information about Malort/Besk - and respect offered to the category - included in that case than with baijiu in this case. And Malort, remember, is the one that intentionally markets itself as gross. Again, the problem isn't people having opinions, it's monetizing the derision of an entire category - loved and respected by many, if certainly not by everyone - while not seeing any need to bother engaging with the basic facts of that category.
@@differentspirits4157 That is completely fair. I am not a viewer of your channel but it's clear from this video that you are thoughtful in engaging with products from other cultures and treating them fairly. I don't think I need to tell you this, but I imagine that is simply not a standard the average western youtuber is at. You're right, I was a bit flippant when I called it "heinous," it is a very culturally significant spirit that deserves a deeper exploration than just "it's gross."
It’s pretty clear that Greg’s HTD channel’s best days are behind it, and he’s struggling to stay relevant and keep viewers. It’s unfortunate that he’s resorting to typical juvenile bully tactics to do it. Shame on him.
@@joshuaevans5983 I mean, I feel the pain to a certain extent I guess? There's only so much cocktailing material that's going to draw an audience which can pay the mortgage, and only so many times you can make a Negroni video over again. So you end up heading over to WORST COCKTAILS EVER and such. I do get the need to pander a little, I do. But man, there has to be a line.
@@differentspirits4157Definitely. It’s been a couple years since I was a regular viewer of his channel, but a saw a recent video where he was lamenting that he’s tried a bunch of stuff to get another big view video, but nothing has really hit. Unfortunately, instead of taking the high road with new content, he seems to think the low road is the path to success. Oh well. Time to unsubscribe I guess.
@@joshuaevans5983 Yeah unfortunately that's what happens when you quit your day job to do RUclips/social media--you become a slave of the algorithm.
Complaining about casual racism in popular cocktail videos and 8yr Leopold Bros in one day. What a legend.
@@samueld1 Thanks! The Leopold 8 video is gonna get buried and I hate it. 😑
This video falls flat to a skeptical viewer such as myself because you haven't explained why his video was harmful. It is not harmful to make content that is entertaining rather than educational. It is also not harmful to make fun of a product that someone else likes (HTD doesn't mock people who enjoy it, he focuses solely on the product). Neither of those are convincing arguments. Obviously it is completely reasonable to find such content unappealing, but insinuating that someone is an asshole for posting harmless content is in very poor taste.
I mean, I don't think I can point to a wronged party in the legal sense, but I'm dead certain that somewhere in those million-odd subs are folks who appreciate strongly flavored spirits like peated malts and high-ester rums and who might really enjoy baijiu as well, except that they've never heard of it (or at least know almost nothing about it) and this is their first real exposure to the category. And what they have been told is effectively no useful facts about baijiu, only also that it's the worst liquor ever, that it's worse than malort (a spirit that sells itself on being gross), that it's barely fit for human consumption, and that no one actually likes it and it's only consumed in macho shots contests. It's poisoning the well, and I do feel that that's actively harmful to a SpiritsTube community which is (I like to think) at least partly about broadening our horizons and exchanging good information. Pick whatever terms you're willing or unwilling to call that: I'll go with "poor form."
Chastising people for having a subjective opinion is pointless. There is also the streisand effect to think about, because I never saw the video you criticized, but now I will
My bro. There is a difference between not liking something, even not liking something incredibly important and popular for another culture, and making a 27 minute video ridiculing it - without context, without any good faith effort to even explain what the thing is - in front of an audience of millions, for ad and patreon money.
@@differentspirits4157 No there is not when its a subjective opinion. His business is getting views, that what he lives off of. His living is not being cultural ambassador. Its not his job to open doors for Baiju in the west. I have no stake in him being right or wrong, but it is totally fine for him to make a video giving his opinion, just like it is fine for you to make your video with your subjective take on his video. People hate some of the stuff you like and you hate some stuff they like. Its the way of the world and what makes it interesting. You would be bored out of your mind if we all liked things in the same way, because there would be nothing different to try and discover.
Why do "everything's subjective" and "let people like/hate things" takes always come out in defense of the bad behavior of powerful parties with big audiences? If this video were just from some guy with a handful of subs we'd all write it off as what it is, as bad taste trolling for views at the expense of a category he doesn't even bother trying to understand - but because it's H2D it's "his opinion" and it's "totally fine."
@@differentspirits4157 It comes just as strongly to your defense here
People should make "Hampden CH tropically aged >10 years is gross" videos instead.
Please no. 😅
I'd prefer if prices didn't keep climbing...
@@kaktuskontrafaktus That's not gonna push prices down, you'll just have rich bros daring each other to do CH shots... 😰
@@differentspirits4157 I suspect european bros go through that phase rather earlier (around 17 on avergae, I'd guess) than their american counterparts, before they're able to spend their parents money in that fashion.