"Top shelf" alcohol only makes me sleepy? (liquors, whiskey, shelf liquor)

[deecbee]

So, I'm sure this subject will out me as a typically cheap alcohol drinker. Actually, I prefer to stick to wine, but when I do drink hard alcohol, it's usually vodka, rum, or scotch/whiskey of the cheaper variety.

But I've noticed that when I drink top shelf liquor - Grey Goose, Ketel One, some high falutin' scotch, etc, the buzz feels very different. With the regular stuff, I can feel a small surge of energy, I can feel it surging down my legs. It's mildly euphoric and I feel like I have more energy, want to socialize. You know, drunk. With the pricier stuff, it sneaks up a lot more slowly, and I feel sleepy. Sleepy to the point that I don't feel like conversating and I end my night early to go to bed.

This has happened more than once. Is it just me, or does this happen to anyone else? Anyone know why?

[Mr.Bungle]

A) it is likely in your head and B) you may want to compare the ABV in the different liquors. You may be drinking higher ABV - more potent booze - and not realize. C) Perhaps congeners are your problem? Which wouldn't make sense since "top shel" liquors typically have fewer impurities.
What are Congeners?

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by deecbee

But I've noticed that when I drink top shelf liquor - Grey Goose, Ketel One, some high falutin' scotch, etc, the buzz feels very different. ...

This has happened more than once. Is it just me, or does this happen to anyone else? Anyone know why?

I agree, it's in your head.

Cheap booze, expensive booze, high proof or low proof, beer or wine, it's the alcohol content that makes a person drunk. Drink more alcohol, drink faster, you get drunk faster. Drink less alcohol, drink slower, you get drunk slower.

Period.

The rest is mythology.