Dave Stewarts Poetry Pure Polish Vodka 70 cl 40%

Kalisz is one of the oldest towns in Poland, and on its edge sits a family distillery now in its third generation. One day an English guitarist walked in with an idea for a vodka that should taste like the martini he had been imagining. He got it made.

Expert description

Dave Stewart's Poetry Pure is a Polish Vodka distilled from rye, wheat and a smaller share of corn, six times distilled and bottled at 40%.

The man on the label is Dave Stewart, one half of Eurythmics and the guitarist behind the sound Annie Lennox sang over. He started Poetry in 2022 with the Swedish investor Johan Holgersson, and the starting point was something as concrete as a conversation about how the ideal martini ought to taste. Production sits with Grupa AWW in Kalisz, where the same family business has been distilling for three generations.

There is a reason for the grain mix. Rye brings spice and a dryness that keeps the vodka upright. Wheat lays a soft layer underneath, and the small share of corn rounds off the attack with an almost milky sweetness. All rye and it would bite. All wheat and it would turn dull.

The six distillations are not decoration on the label. Each pass through the column strips out more of the heavier fusel oils, and those are what give a hastily made vodka its sharp, almost stinging feel. Poetry is correspondingly calm to drink neat, and it has taken double gold at international spirits competitions.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dry rye bread character with a lightly peppered edge. Behind it sits a trace of vanilla and something close to a warm bakery.

Palate

Soft attack with the wheat leading. Mid palate the rye pepper appears, and the corn adds a discreet sweetness that ties it together.

Finish

Clean and medium long. The pepper lingers a little, and no sharp alcohol heat arrives at the end.

Specifications

Name: Dave Stewart's Poetry Pure
Producer: Poetry Spirits
Region/Country: Kalisz, Poland
Type: Polish Vodka
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Distilled six times from rye, wheat and corn
EAN no.: 5901619688007
Serving suggestion: Ice cold in a Vodka Martini with an olive or a strip of lemon peel. Also works neat from the freezer in a small glass.

Flavour profile

Peppery · Soft · Dry · Clean

Did you know?

Dave Stewart wrote Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) with Annie Lennox in 1982 on a small eight track setup in a room above a factory in London. The track still sits on his Spotify profile, which Poetry links to from the bottle.

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Frequently asked questions about Dave Stewart's Poetry Pure

What does 80 proof on the bottle mean?

It is the American way of stating alcohol strength, and the number is exactly double the percentage. So 80 proof equals 40% alcohol. The system comes from a time when spirits were tested by pouring them over gunpowder to see whether it would still light.

Do six distillations really make a difference?

Yes, but not endlessly. Each pass removes more of the heavier fusel oils that cause the stinging sensation in the nose and throat. Past a certain point you also strip out character, and the balance between the two is what a distiller works with. Here it has landed somewhere the grain can still be felt.

Can you taste the rye and the wheat separately?

Yes, if you drink it neat and not too cold. The rye shows up as pepper and dryness mid palate, the wheat as a soft, almost creamy texture on the attack. Chill it down to freezer temperature and the two melt into one smooth sensation.

How do I make the martini Dave Stewart recommends?

Stir six parts ice cold vodka with one part dry vermouth in a glass full of ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. No shaker, because shaking beats air bubbles into the drink. Garnish with lemon peel if you want freshness, or an olive if you want salt.

Should the bottle live in the freezer?

It handles it well but does not need it. At freezer temperature it turns thicker and more neutral, which suits shots. If you want the grain character present, keep it at fridge temperature instead.

Who is behind Poetry besides Dave Stewart?

The entrepreneur Johan Holgersson is co-founder, and production itself sits with Grupa AWW in Kalisz. That is a third generation family owned distillery which also produces spirits for other brands.

What else do I use it for behind the bar?

It is dry enough for an Espresso Martini, where the coffee needs something to push against, and clean enough for a Vodka Soda with lime. The rye pepper also works surprisingly well in a Bloody Mary. To compare it with other houses, browse our Vodka brands.