Belvedere Ultra Premium Vodka 70 cl 40%

West of Warsaw the Mazovian plain runs flat, and on it grows a rye Polish farmers have worked with for generations. Dankowskie is its name. It was not chosen because it yields the most, but because it yields the most flavour — and that is the whole starting point for Belvedere.

Expert description

Belvedere Ultra Premium is a Polish Vodka distilled four times from Dankowskie rye and bottled at 40%.

It is made at Polmos Żyrardów, a distillery that has been running since 1910 in the factory town of Żyrardów. The rye comes from Polish fields and the water is drawn from the distillery's own artesian wells. Neither sugar, glycerol nor flavouring is added, before or after distillation.

The four distillations are not four identical runs. The first pass happens at an agricultural distillery close to the fields, after which the spirit goes three times through column stills at Żyrardów. The craft lies in stopping before the rye has gone. Plenty of vodkas are distilled until nothing remains but alcohol and water; here the grain is allowed to stay.

That is why Belvedere tastes of something. There is a clear rye character, a creamy middle and a peppered edge that make it more interesting neat than most, and more stubborn in a drink where it refuses to simply disappear.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh rye bread crust and vanilla, with a lightly milky tone underneath. The alcohol is barely noticeable.

Palate

Creamy and full through the middle, where the rye brings a mild sweetness. Black pepper and a nutty pull follow.

Finish

Medium and dry. The pepper holds on for a while as the sweetness falls away.

Specifications

Name: Belvedere Ultra Premium
Distillery: Polmos Żyrardów
Region/Country: Żyrardów, Poland
Type: Polish Vodka
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Four times distilled
EAN no.: 5901041003003
Serving suggestion: In a Martini stirred rather than shaken, so the creamy texture holds. Or cool and neat alongside roe.

Flavour profile

Creamy · Rye spiced · Vanilla soft · Peppered

Did you know?

The building on the bottle is the Belweder Palace in Warsaw, from which the brand takes its name. The palace has housed Polish heads of state, and the image with its bare trees in front is printed so that it glows through when the bottle is held up to a lamp.

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Frequently asked questions about Belvedere Ultra Premium

What is Belvedere made from?

Polish Dankowskie rye and water from the distillery's own artesian wells. The rye is an old Polish variety known for producing a full bodied spirit rather than a large yield, and it is the reason the vodka carries such a clear grain character.

Why does a rye vodka taste different from a wheat vodka?

Rye gives more body and more spice. Where wheat typically pulls towards soft and lightly sweet, rye lays in a peppered, almost bread like edge that stays through the finish. That is why Belvedere holds its own against vermouth and citrus better than many others.

Should a Belvedere Martini be shaken or stirred?

Stir it. Shaking beats air into the spirit and lightens the texture, while stirring preserves the silky weight the rye provides. If you are unsure, make one of each and taste them side by side.

How much vermouth should go in?

The ratio decides. Three parts vodka to one part vermouth gives a wet Martini with clear herbal character, while six to one turns dry and lets the vodka lead. An extra dry Martini makes do with a single splash of vermouth in the glass.

Is there any added sugar?

No. Belvedere contains neither sugar, glycerol nor added flavouring, and as a certified Polish Vodka it is bound by rules that forbid it. The sweetness you notice comes from the rye alone.

How should it be served?

Cool but not ice cold. Around 10 degrees it opens up and shows both vanilla and pepper, while freezer temperature shuts the aroma down and leaves only the texture. To drink it neat, use a small glass with a little belly to it.

What does Ultra Premium mean?

It is the category Belvedere places itself in, and it points to grain requirements, the number of distillations and the absence of additives rather than to an official classification. To compare it with others in the same tier, look through our Vodka brands.