Good vanilla extract is made using a more complex process than just putting vanilla in alcohol [1]. With that said, in most usages the differences between good extract, cheap extract, and even artificial extract are not noticeable [2].

1. https://www.seriouseats.com/diy-vanilla-extract

2. https://www.seriouseats.com/taste-test-is-better-vanilla-ext...

Thats an interesting pair of articles. Thanks for the links.

Things that are imitated are usually done so because the “real thing” is expensive and/or hard to get. This is like saying “why buy a fake Rolex when you can just buy a real one”. Sure, you can, but it pretty much misses the point of why imitations exist.

I've forgone real vanilla completely. It's expensive, inconsistent, and very bad for the environment.

The taste we associate with real vanilla is it's imperfections anyway. So I'll cut artificial vanilla with a splash of bitters and bourbon and have found it to be generally superior for most recipes.