Chopin Potato Vodka, 70 cl

Product Information

The running theme with the best Polish vodka brands is that you can get extremely enjoyable bottles at very cheap prices. Just so we’re clear – I’m no vodka expert (which is a shame), but some might claim that being Polish gives me a certain advantage… While Wódka Vodka’s price is its main selling point, this Polish vodka makes an exceptional addition to apple juice, grapefruit, or your favorite mixed drink. Much like its Eastern counterpart, Russian Standard, Polish Standard is a vodka brand made for simplicity.

Beginner’s Guide to Polish Vodka [Best Brands!] - Polonist Beginner’s Guide to Polish Vodka [Best Brands!] - Polonist

Yes indeed! Polish vodkas are the best! (Polish beers are awesome too, but that’s a topic for another day). I used to cringe every time I heard that phrase. There is so much more Poland has to offer, and yet somehow most of it goes unnoticed… What if vodka’s international popularity reinforces the negative stereotypes about who we are? Many flagship brands are now owned by foreign companies, but their ownership is not relevant – the traditional recipes, production and ingredients remain Polish. Straight Up or Mixed? Chopin 100% potato vodka is made from potatoes sourced locally in Podlasie, within 25 miles/40 km of the distillery. They get cooked whole, together with their skins. Apparently it takes 11 pounds (5 kilograms) of these starchy veggies to make each bottle! Oak vodka is a new one for me but it did impress my whiskey palate. Debowa Polska Vodka is the most expensive vodka on this list, but it’s also arguably the most interesting.I’ve been always been secretly envious of people who enjoy plain, unflavoured vodka, all on their lonesome. Perhaps my palette hasn’t fully developed yet… Confused? Well, most vodkas are unflavoured. Flavoured ones are based on the same principles, but they’re enriched with spices or herbal and fruity aromas. More about them below. Types of Polish Vodka Polish Grain Vodkas Zoladkowa Vodka is inspired by nalewkas, the Polish method of steeping herbs in alcohol, and is crafted following a 19th-century traditional recipe. There are strong whiskey-like wood notes along with pepper and spice, with the elderflower giving the liquid a tasty sweet addition that helps balance the wood. Sobieski vodka is a Polish rye spirit inspired by the iconic king Sobieski, who defended Europe against the Ottomans. It’s crafted with crystal clear water and top quality, 100% Polish rye, and continuous distillation – courtesy of the highest column still in Europe – helps create one of the smoothest vodkas in the world.

Chopin Imports | Superior Premium Spirits | Portfolio Chopin Imports | Superior Premium Spirits | Portfolio

Luksusowa isn’t made from just any old spuds – the potatoes are carefully selected to achieve the best flavours. Jono writes about booze and tattoos for Next Luxury, having spent nearly two decades experiencing both in a variety of situations around the globe. Don’t get me wrong, Russian vodka is fantastic,but I love the commitment Polish producers take to differentiate their expressions from other European peers.

How we tested

It’s worth noting that Belvedere is more popular choice abroad than it is in the motherland. Partially due to a higher price-point, but also because we’re spoilt with choice here in Poland. SobieskiVodka (named after a king Jan III Sobieski ) is one of the most recognisable spirit brands internationally. Who doesn’t remember old ads with Bruce Willis and placing the Sobieski brand in his movies? Other popular brands (notice, that the alcohol content is often lowered to 32-36%, therefore technically they aren’t vodkas) : Traditional Polish vodka is famous for its rye distillate – which differs from other notable regions. France’s best vodka – Grey Goose Vodka and Ciroc Vodka for example – is made from grapes, while Russian Standard or Stolichnaya is crafted from wheat.