I AM Premium Vodka 70 cl 40%

Most vodkas borrow their name from a river, a family or a saint. This one carries neither a place nor a lineage, only a statement: I am. That is an unusual way to introduce a Polish vodka, and the bottle is every bit as bare as the name.

Expert description

I AM Premium Vodka is a Polish Vodka made from winter wheat and soft water, bottled at 40%.

Winter wheat is a detail that matters. It is sown in autumn, stands through the Polish winter and is harvested the following summer, and that long growing season gives a grain with a higher starch content and more structure than spring wheat. It is the same grain several of the well known Polish premium vodkas are built on, and it makes for a rounder, fuller vodka than its reputation suggests.

The water is soft, meaning low in calcium and magnesium, and it matters as much as the grain. Hard water leaves a mineral, almost metallic edge that cannot be filtered out afterwards. There is neither added sugar nor colouring here, and that carries weight: vodka is in fact allowed to be sweetened slightly without the label having to say so.

The result is a very clean vodka that stays at the neutral end of the scale. It is not built to be analysed in a tulip glass, but to be ice cold, bright and reliable — either as a shot or as a base, where it is asked to do nothing except carry the drink.

Tasting notes

Nose

Very clean and almost without aroma on the first pass. Give it a moment in the glass and a pale grain note and a hint of fresh greenery appear.

Palate

Soft and cool with a lightly creamy texture. The wheat gives a discreet sweetness in the middle and there is no sharp bite anywhere.

Finish

Short and dry. The sweetness disappears quickly and a clean, almost cool impression is left behind.

Specifications

Name: I AM Premium Vodka
Producer: I AM
Region/Country: Poland
Type: Polish Vodka
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Distilled from winter wheat and brought down with soft water
EAN no.: 5900274007475
Serving suggestion: Ice cold from the freezer as a shot, or in a Bloody Mary where the cleanliness lets tomato and spice lead.

Flavour profile

Very clean · Soft · Neutral · Dry

Did you know?

EU rules do in fact permit vodka to be sweetened with up to 8 grams of sugar per litre without the label having to say so. It is used to round off the alcohol and give a smoother mouthfeel. That is precisely why it is worth knowing when a house, as here, states outright that no sugar has been added.

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Frequently asked questions about I AM Premium Vodka

What is I AM Premium Vodka made from?

Winter wheat and soft water. Winter wheat is sown in autumn and harvested the following summer, and the long growing season gives a grain with more starch and more structure. That is the reason for the soft, lightly creamy texture.

Why does soft water matter?

Because minerals can be tasted. Hard water with plenty of calcium and magnesium puts a mineral edge on the vodka that cannot be filtered out afterwards. Soft water keeps out of the way and lets the grain stand on its own.

Is any sugar or colouring added?

No, neither. That is a point of pride for the house, because the category does allow a little sweetening without declaration. With no sugar added you get the grain character as it is, and a drier close than in many competitors.

How is it best drunk?

Ice cold from the freezer in a small glass, or long with a neutral mixer. It is so clean that there is nothing to open up at a higher temperature, and it works best when the cold makes the texture dense and syrupy.

Which drinks suit it?

The ones where the vodka should step back. Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule, Cosmopolitan or a plain Vodka Tonic — anything where spice, acidity or sweetness has to lead. In a Martini it becomes too anonymous if you want something to taste in the base.

Can it be used in cooking?

Yes, and that is an overlooked strength of a very neutral vodka. It draws aroma out of tomato, chilli and herbs without adding a flavour of its own, which is why it works in pasta sauces and marinades. The alcohol evaporates and leaves only what it has pulled forward.

Where does it come from?

From Poland, which along with Russia has the longest vodka tradition in Europe and an enormous production of grain vodka. Winter wheat is a classic Polish base. To compare other Polish houses, look through our Vodka brands.