Vodka Review: Ciroc by Robert
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 1 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
-
2.8000 out of 5 shots
- Rate It Now!
- Average Price
- $32.99 per 750 mL / See By State / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
- Percent Alcohol
- 40
- Distilled From
- Grapes
- Times Distilled
- 5
- Charcoal Filtered
- Yes
- Produced By
- Diageo
- Imported By
- Diageo
- Website
- Ciroc
- Cap Type
- Plastic Screw On
Identifying Features
Fades from blue to clear glass from the bottom to mid-bottle.
Written on the Bottle
Snap frost vodka distilled from fine French grapes. 5 times distilled. Ciroc is and imported vodka distilled from fine French grapes. At the heart of this unique vodka are select grapes frown high in the Gaillac region of France. This innovation in French craftsmanship uses a cold fermentation process, unique in the world of vodka, preserving the grapes' distinct freshness. Distilled 5 times, this results in a taste experience that is refreshingly different and elegantly smooth. Go against the grain. Experience it and revel in the unexpected. www.cirocvodka.com, 1-800-392-8456. Be discerning. Drink responsibly.
Review
Cîroc, or Ciroc for short, is arguably a vodka. At least, the European Union, or EU for short, thought it was worth arguing about in the so-called Vodka War. You see, Ciroc is made from grapes. Vodka, according to certain countries, must be made from grains, potatoes, and sugar beet molasses... or something like that. Currently, beverages made from other things should read "Vodka produced from" instead of "Vodka." This really solved nothing, and I am now reviewing Ciroc as a vodka.
If you're familiar with the vodka, it's probably because of the recent ad campaign featuring Sean "Diddy" Combs or in Rick Ross's video BOSS (yeah, I don't know him either). I was under the impression that the gangsta set goes for cognac. I guess it's fitting that Ciroc is a vodka-ized brandy made in France. Or maybe I'm crazy.
The Shot
The shot initially caused a severe tingling in my mouth. That severe tingling continued until I swallowed, then continued to severely tingle my throat. This wasn't a pleasant tingle. It was almost like licking a 9 volt batter, except the flavor is strikingly bitter and alarmingly unpleasant. I couldn't place the taste on a range. It was oddly neutral-bitter. The aftertaste is by far the worst part, which is unfortunate since that is the part that lingers the longest. Ciroc is not a good shooting vodka.
The Mixed Drink
Color me surprised. I mixed Ciroc with Low-carb Monster. It mixed perfectly well with the energy drink. It complemented the sharp tastes, and actually made the drink seem sweeter.
Opinions
Daniel did a shot with me. Initially, he was pleased with it, commenting only on the sting going down. After another drink, he reconsidered and gave it a 5 out of 10 for shooting.
While Ciroc mixed well with my energy drink, it was a very poor vodka for drinking straight. It looks like the Vodka Belt of the EU, who ought to pride themselves on the taste of their vodka, shouldn't have bitched. Vodka made from grapes, or at least Ciroc, makes for a pretty bad tasting vodka.
If you see the following form, please ignore it.
Comments On Ciroc
Erik Yettaw said on May 26, 2008 at 2:59 pm...
Very Smooth and High Quality Vodka
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Rev Monkey said on Sep 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm...
I have drank this a few times, while I think its horrible to shoot it does mix very well with white grape juice to create a "anyone can drink" Grape Martini.
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Leigh said on Dec 01, 2008 at 9:02 am...
Great vodka, way under priced in South Africa!
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Leigh said on Dec 01, 2008 at 9:03 am...
Great vodka, way under priced in South Africa!
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Reyka said on May 25, 2009 at 7:52 pm...
I'd rate this vodka very highly; it has a pleasant tingle and a great grape-spitzer taste. Very smooth and a wonderful vodka.
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browne.allen said on Jun 16, 2009 at 6:46 am...
I find this particular brand particularly smooth and quite drinkable by itself.
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B said on Jun 30, 2009 at 9:43 pm...
Definitely not a vodka for shooting. This is a mix-only vodka, but when mixed its quite good.
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Carlos said on Jul 10, 2009 at 1:03 pm...
I think it is the smoothest tasting vodka I've ever had!!! I drink it with lemonade and grape juice. I found the recipe here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAwzHsxk5SE
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Eric said on Jul 10, 2009 at 1:05 pm...
I think it is a great tasting Vodka. Especially when mixed.
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Robert said on Jul 10, 2009 at 1:12 pm...
Ha! The O.G. Diddy. I'll have to try that some time.
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simplyvmail said on Sep 21, 2009 at 5:25 pm...
One of the vodkas that I cannot swallow. Not smooth at all.
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LoUDoN said on Dec 01, 2009 at 9:27 pm...
Only shot this a couple times but drank many a bottle in mixed drinks. For bay breezes this is my favorite vodka. A ciroc bay-breeze is totally fruity drink heaven. Sooooo easily drinkable, you hardly realize you're consuming alcohol from the taste, but they most definitely get you after a few!!! For mixed drinks I'd give this vodka a 9.5 out of 10 (as long as you're looking for pure smoothness and drinkability).
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Austin said on Dec 16, 2009 at 11:27 pm...
Sipping on a martini right now I just mixed up. No Vermouth, just ice in a shaker with vodka.
It has a weird taste on the front of it, not anything I have tasted from a grain or potato vodka. Its not smooth enough to praise and not rough enough to critique just in between.
I just finished a bottle of 26000 right before Ciroc. I thought that vodka was very clean and very smooth for the 10 dollar price tag I found it for. Having said that, for the price I wouldn't it again. Actually if it was 10 bucks I might consider it, but there are much better vodkas for cheaper. Just not a fan of the the actual "taste" of the vodka. Haven't tried it in a mixer, it sounds like from the reviews that it would probably taste good in Red Bull or something similar. I will give that a try tomorrow, because this martini is not very enjoyable!
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Austin said on Dec 17, 2009 at 6:27 pm...
Well I got to say, Ciroc is a great mixer. I did a one to one ratio with the brand Simply Lemon aid and Ciroc. The unpleasantness of drinking it strait is the variable that makes it a good mixer. I a have feeling I am going to get hammered tonight...
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Robert said on Dec 18, 2009 at 4:33 pm...
Doing shots, then doing mixed drinks is a good way to get yourself hammered. there's nothing wring with that, though. It seems Ciroc is well suited for lemonaide. If I ever get another bottle, I'll try that.
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Jason said on Mar 26, 2010 at 3:27 pm...
So Diddy makes a public statement "if your not drinking Ciroc Vodka, then your drinking pee, pee." Pissed off a rival vodka big wig and probably others too. I'm sorry, but WTF does Diddy know about vodka anyway? His Ciroc sounds like overpriced swill to me.
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taffyg2003 said on Apr 13, 2010 at 7:37 pm...
I had the opportunity to try a Ciroc martini with olives several nights ago while out to dinner. The aroma was unusually sweet and inviting. The martini it made was unique from my experience. It tasted very sweet and as if there was a little grape soda added to the cocktail, or perhaps like a spiked grape soda. It even seemed to have a slight effervescent soda-like sting when sipped and swallowed. Also unique was the unidimensional aspect to the drink. All other vodka martinis have had a distinctive initial sip, swallow, and after flavor; all of which bring out a different characteristic of the vodka along the way. The Ciroc martini tasted essentially the same throughout the drinking experience; no subtle aspects came out.
That said, Ciroc created a pleasant vodka martini. It never got bitter, never burned, and it was subdued and smooth. However, it was a bit too sweet and fruity for my taste. Perhaps it would make a better martini for dessert, if there is such a thing. It is definitely a vodka that I would have to be in the mood for to request again. Because it is so different from the other vodkas I've tasted so far, I find it difficult to rank on my vodka martini list. I would give it 3 stars and would probably place just before Skyy in tenth place.
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ryantodd281 said on Jun 14, 2010 at 5:14 pm...
While I'm not much of a fan of the Ciroc's spokesman - P-diddy- I have to say this vodka is great. I myself do not mix my vodkas with anything- as with anyone who actually wants to taste what they just payed for. I keep reading the main reviewer talk about how they mix the vodka with orange juice, and red bull, and blah, blah, blah. WTF? Are you in a phrat? No, slightly chill the vodka and enjoy it the way it was supposed to be- to be TASTED!! Ciroc has a very smooth and light taste with a bit of a sweet aftertaste. It's great to drink while enjoying some sardines and cheese. Come on guys, let's grow up a little.
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Robert said on Jun 14, 2010 at 5:38 pm...
Alright, Ryan. You are the final straw. I'm not in a frat ("frat" is short for "fraternity" and is spelled with an "f", not a "ph", unless you are trying to play on the spelling, though I don't know why you would). I'm probably the antithesis of frat. I don't know why the hell people fixate on what I mix with for reviews. I try to be pragmatic and talk about things people ACTUALLY mix with. Truth be told, I hate mixing. I prefer my vodka straight out of the chilled bottle. I don't even like chilling vodka in a shaker with ice because it tastes watered down. I've kept my mouth shut and tried not to take offense when people make accusations, but it looks like it's time for a blog post. I'm sorry to come off rude, as I really do appreciate you taking time to read at least some small portion of what I write, but I really needed to express myself a bit.
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Richard Heartgrove said on Jun 15, 2010 at 7:09 pm...
If all you have to counteract my statement with is the fact that I used "ph" instead of an "f," I really don't understand why you would even comment back(yes, I know how to spell, just thought it would give it an extra kick; guess I failed, though.) And the fact that you seem to come across people who are "fixated" on what you seem to mix your vodka with and yet you are confounded by this, leaves me myself a bit confused. Shouldn't this tell you something? You think a person who mixes premium vodkas with red bull is going on-line and reading vodka reviews? What would probably be more pragmatic is understanding your demographic. In all seriousness, I apologize If i seemed a bit acerbic, I didn't mean to be. Maybe someone switched your bottle of Ciroc with Vladamir(sp?) because I think your review couldn't be more off. I guess it's us just having different palates. Did I really write all this? I need to go get a life...cheers!
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Robert said on Jun 16, 2010 at 11:22 am...
I'm not going to let this turn into a flame war on my own site. So, this is the last I'm saying as far as this conversation about mixers goes unless it takes a turn for the better, though feel free to finish your thoughts should this strike any. Hopefully it reads with the mellow tone I want to convey.
1. I wasn't countering your argument. I'm not even sure you made an argument so much as came on my site to say you think I was wrong about Ciroc (which is great because we get to read other opinions) and make fun of me for being someone of the same ilk as you: a person who prefers straight, chilled vodka. That latter bit is what I was addressing in my reply. I don't have a problem with anything else you said, and I agree with you 100% that the best way to drink vodka is straight and chilled. And, ultimately, I don't even have a problem if you'd mix with something different. I just don't get why I have to be under attack for someone to make a point that I myself would make.
2. The three or four people that make fun of me for the mixers I use, then go on to insist that they only drink vodka straight, are much fewer than the other 10,000 people every month that don't complain about the mixers I use (a decent number of them even leave comments), and are still fewer than the 100s that have written in to say that they like the site over the past few years. That's a little bit of info about my readers.
In the end, I think we'd say the same things about drinking vodka. I know my choice of mixers are far from sophisticated, and I don't care. I'll unashamedly continue to use them in reviews because normal people drinking at home, myself included, aren't mixologists with endless supplies of ingredients and when I go out to drink, I don't want to spend a fortune on sugary froufrou well vodka cocktails when I can get a cheap mixer with a better vodka. To boot, I see more people out drinking vodka and Red Bull, vodka and OJ, vodka and cranberry, and other simple cocktails than people drinking anything else (except maybe beer depending on where you are in the country).
As for me, I'll still be drinking my vodka straight unless it's not an option at the time.
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taffyg2003 said on Sep 11, 2010 at 4:45 pm...
I am far from a vodka or liquor sophisticate, but I do prefer drinking dry vodka martinis to straight vodka. The flavor of the vodka seems to come through noticeably and makes it fun to try different offerings when possible. Maybe my palate is still developing, but straight vodka seems too strong. Dry vermouth in the ice shaker creates a cocktail that mellows the experience, and makes the drink more enjoyable for me.
On occasion, I try vodka neat, but I find that only the smoothest and highest quality vodkas are tolerable to drink that way. Maybe this is part of the point for the experienced vodka connoisseur. Regardless, experimenting with different vodkas and posting on this forum have been highly entertaining.
Until next time. Cheers!
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ciroc obama said on Sep 24, 2010 at 3:13 pm...
ciroc is incredible. it is a vodka, so a sharp bite should be expected. however, it's nowhere near as hard as smirnoff or even skyy for that matter. super smooth, slight hint of grape, delicious! mix it with some white grape juice or some lemonade for a ciroc diddy (according to the website) i've just drank it straight.
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taffyg2003 said on Sep 29, 2010 at 7:56 pm...
@ciroc obama, I am glad that you've enjoyed your Ciroc experience. Compared to Smirnoff and Skyy, Ciroc has more flavor with a smoother and sweeter palate. If Ciroc is one of the few vodkas that you've tried other than Skyy or Smirnoff, you will enjoy experimenting with many of the other superior offerings available these days. I would suggest trying vodkas from different price ranges to get an idea of how bottom, middle, and top shelf vodkas compare. One vodka flight to showcase this range might be Smirnoff (cheapest), Stolichnaya (mid-priced), Chopin (expensive). Perhaps another interesting group to try would include Sobieski (cheapest), Ketel One (mid-priced), and Grey Goose (expensive). If you get the chance to perform these or any other taste tests, let us know what you think.
Cheers!
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cow_boy_from_h311 said on Nov 28, 2010 at 7:06 pm...
why would you mix a great "vodka"(it's actually an eaux de vie) with crap like low carb monster? why not try making something like a vodka martini, french martini or cosmo. Something that includes other good ingredients. You can rightfully judge any spirit by mixing it with garbage like an energy drink.
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Robert said on Nov 29, 2010 at 12:23 pm...
@Cowboy from Hell Mainly because nobody I know (well, except Taffyg that posts on this site, if that counts) drinks vodka in any of the complex cocktails you describe unless they are at a bar, if at all, and that's not how I want to drink my vodka ever. I try to be pragmatic by drinking with what I have available like most people I know do. I had Monster around, so that's what I mixed with. If you don't like it that way, feel free to mix it up your own way and share your thoughts, or check out what Taffyg had to say about Ciroc in a martini.
Honestly, if I did it exactly the way I wanted, I wouldn't review any sort of mixed drink. However, most people I know drink simple mixed drinks like screwdrivers, madras, and various energy drinks. So, that's what I typically use.
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cow_boy_from_h311 said on Nov 29, 2010 at 1:04 pm...
I understand what you're saying, I just think spirits and energy drinks should never come in contact with one another. but i think having 3 or so different mixed drinks to rate a vodka by would really show off a vodka's strengths and weaknesses. Let's say a Vodka martini, a screwdriver and a vodka tonic. maybe circo goes wonderful in a martini but not in a screwdriver. It would give people a better idea of what the vodka is best for. I surely wouldn't want to buy a $35 vodka if it's only going to be good with monster.
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David James said on Jan 10, 2011 at 5:35 pm...
I am sitting here trying this vodka as I type this. I like 3 or 4 cubes of ice in my glass and pour the chilled vodka over the ice. I find the taste and bite rather pleasing. Nothing bad as the review states. In fact I love the sweet lingering taste it has, which I find very interesting. I am not a fan of mix drinks so I cannot review a mix drink using Ciroc. I highly recommend this Vodka. I personally find it smooth yet firm at the same time with a surprizing sweetness to it.
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BoozePro said on Mar 20, 2011 at 7:34 pm...
Best vodka I have ever had! Hit up THEBAR.COM for more great tasting cocktails.
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mrtrancis said on May 27, 2011 at 4:51 am...
honestly my top pick out of the typical grocery shelf offerings. to my personal taste, i like it better than grey goose (which gets way more publicity than it should). this tastes best after its been sitting in the freezer for 2 hours.
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mike cracker said on Jun 27, 2011 at 6:08 am...
"very stereotypical comments mad about diddy and rick ross" i know we are here to talk vodka, but racism is not tolerated anymore, vodka is clear as should your view of the world people should be.
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Robert said on Jun 27, 2011 at 7:37 am...
Nothing on this website is racist. I don't know what you're talking about.
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taffyg2003 said on Jul 08, 2011 at 8:28 pm...
I have had a few more Ciroc martinis since my initial review posted April 13, 2010. I have to say that each time the cocktail was served, the flavor and experience was remarkably consistent. Every time, the martini was pleasantly aromatic, very smooth, sweet, and memorably unique. I have to say that it has grown on me, and I would like to upgrade my rating from 3 to 4 stars. I think that it does a better job than most other vodkas of masking any of the potentially unpleasant flavors that vermouth can impart on a poorly concocted martini, especially when too much vermouth was mixed.
One benefit of my growing experience with vodka martinis is that I have a better sense of what I like, which has resulted in re-rating some vodkas, such as Ciroc and Grey Goose. In both examples, I have decided to increase their ratings regarding their quality in a vodka martini. I also recently had a surprisingly good Absolut martini, which reminds me that I may want to upgrade its rating, too. On the other hand, a recent Double Cross martini was a bit disappointing, so I may consider downgrading its rating.
Cheers!
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Kimber S. said on Jul 11, 2011 at 6:51 pm...
I love the Ciroc Coconut, chilled and straight..Light taste, and not a strong after flavor
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LaKeitha Coger said on Jul 31, 2011 at 9:51 pm...
Pretty decent vodka....
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carlyn613 said on Dec 27, 2011 at 12:11 pm...
I came to your site because I was trying to find out more about Ciroc. I have never tried it and wanted to try it and get opinions on it.
I was also shocked by your comment " I was under the impression that the gangsta set goes for cognac" and I think that's what Mike_Cracker was talking about.
Although I didn't like that statement, I did enjoy your review. I think I'll stay away from it.
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Jeremy Logan said on Dec 28, 2011 at 10:17 am...
@Mike_cracker and @carlyn613 Robert never said anything about race, nor did he denigrate anyone. All he said was that Ciroc's marketing had centered on a demographic and that that demographic that was stereotypically (in marketing) interested in this other thing.
The only reason I can figure you guys think it was potentially offensive is that the group he mentioned is, generally speaking, African American. If cognac was typically marketed toward, say, Silicon Valley Techies and Ciroc was trying to move in on that by getting geek superstars to promote their goods and Robert had said something like "I was under the impression that the nerd set goes for cognac." then I doubt anyone would have batted an eyelash.
Just because you talk about a group of people that is largely black doesn't mean you're talking about "black people".
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Dennis Tkach said on Dec 30, 2011 at 4:00 pm...
I had a long conversation with a vodka expert and he stated that in the minds of many who judge vodka, Ciroc Blue is the finest of all vodkas. When I read a negative review that flies in the face of popular opinion, I must question the source. Ciroc Blue is, if not the best, certainly one of the best.
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Kmoney said on Dec 30, 2011 at 11:24 pm...
Ok so my fiance and I drink a lot. Normally Sky, more recently Stoli. Tonight we drank Ciroc. Not our first go round with Ciroc. But he is a different person on this. Not a good person. He keeps trying to pick fights. He tried to leave me. LOL I'm not drunk only had 1 and 1/2 drinks. Has anyone else witnessed or experienced the confrontational drunk. LOL
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G.C. said on Jan 01, 2012 at 3:03 pm...
How the heck does anyone rate Ciroc so poorly? So what if it's made of grapes?
It's very smooth, a bit sweet perhaps but that's merely preference, makes a great shooter and is cheaper than G.G.. I think its a better mixer too.
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fred f. said on Jan 07, 2012 at 2:01 pm...
Try garnishing Ciroc Berry with cocktail cranberries from Lounge Attire Cocktail Cranberries They enhance all vodka cocktails.
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danny82 said on Jan 10, 2012 at 7:18 am...
This isn't even real vodka... its aimed toward urban demographics simply because they will drink anything that remotely looks cool..it tasted horrible and I'd much rather have a bottle of stoli. Any moron who thinks this is anygood is probably saying it in the hopes that pdiddy will magically see there comment and invite them to a swanky party... lmao.... its garbage..point blank.. I'd rather drink gasoline.. probably the same ting to it.. or perhaps some rubbing alcohol
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Ryan said on Jan 10, 2012 at 8:59 am...
Being made from grapes would explain that kind of unwanted tingle- like sparkling wine. I do not consider this vodka, only a mixer with some alcohol content.
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taffyg2003 said on Jan 25, 2012 at 3:58 pm...
True, Ciroc does have a unique evervescent-like sting. I also attribute this to its grape origins, which does lend itself to be a very interesting mixer.
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