Grasovka Bisongras Premium Polish Vodka 50 cl 40%

There is a forest on the border between Poland and Belarus that was never cleared. The oaks stand close, the last wild bison in Europe graze the glades, and between them grows one very particular grass. That is what lies as a single blade inside this bottle.

Expert description

Grasovka Bisongras is a Polish Vodka distilled from Polish rye, flavoured with bison grass and bottled at 40%.

The grass is called Hierochloe odorata and grows in the glades of Bialowieza, the last great primeval forest of its kind in Europe. It is harvested by hand in summer while it still stands full of sap and smells at its strongest, and then dried. The vodka is passed through the dried grass several times so the aroma is drawn into the spirit.

After distillation, demineralised water and an extract of bison grass are added, and finally someone lays a single blade into each bottle by hand. The blade is not decoration alone. It is a reminder that the flavour comes from a plant rather than from a bottle of aroma.

The story of the grass is wrapped in secrecy. It is said that only 21 families know where the good bison grass stands, and that an outsider could not tell it from any other grass anyway. The bison can, and the plant carries their name for that reason.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh cut hay and vanilla, clear and soft. Almond and a trace of dried herbs sit behind them.

Palate

The grass lies as a mild sweetness across the light spice of the rye. There is a creamy vanilla note in the middle and almost no sharpness.

Finish

Medium and dry. The hay hangs on, and a hint of pepper from the rye turns up at the very end.

Specifications

Name: Grasovka Bisongras
Producer: Grasovka
Region/Country: Poland
Type: Polish Vodka
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 CL
Distillation method: Distilled from Polish rye, flavoured with dried bison grass
EAN no.: 4034100221771
Serving suggestion: Ice cold with clear apple juice over ice, or neat in a small frosted glass.

Flavour profile

Bison grass · Vanilla · Fresh cut hay · Lightly spiced

Did you know?

The name Grasovka is not originally Polish. It was invented in 1976 by Emil Underberg, two years after his family firm had begun importing Polish bison grass vodka for the German market.

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Frequently asked questions about Grasovka Bisongras

What is bison grass exactly?

A wild grass with the Latin name Hierochloe odorata that grows in the glades of the Bialowieza forest in eastern Poland. It carries natural aroma compounds giving scents of hay, vanilla and almond, and it is the only thing separating this vodka from an ordinary rye vodka.

What is the blade of grass doing in the bottle?

It is placed there by hand after filling and belongs to the tradition. The flavour comes chiefly from the extract added after distillation, but the blade keeps releasing a little aroma, and it makes the bottle impossible to mistake for anything else.

What does it taste like?

Soft and grassy with clear vanilla and fresh cut hay. The rye lays a light spice underneath it all, and the finish runs drier than the sweet nose suggests. It is markedly milder than a neutral vodka.

What do you mix it with?

Clear apple juice is the classic and comes close to a national drink in Poland. The pairing works because the acidity of the apple plays straight against the hay and vanilla. Otherwise it holds up well with ginger beer and lime, or in a Mule with rather more character than usual.

Should it be drunk ice cold?

It takes the cold well but does not need it. Straight from the freezer it turns tight and almost schnapps like, while at fridge temperature it opens up and lets the grass step forward. If you want to taste the aromas, let it sit a couple of minutes in the glass.

Is it made in Poland or in Germany?

Distillation happens in Poland from Polish rye, while bottling takes place in Germany. The brand was created for the German market in the mid 1970s and has been on the shelves there ever since.

Can it be used in cooking?

It works surprisingly well in sauces for game and in marinades, where the hay and vanilla contribute something a neutral vodka cannot. Try it over fresh strawberries with a little sugar as well. More brands sit in our Vodka Brands.