1 | Spirits | Other Vodka, Poland, 750 ml

"Belvedere, the world's first luxury vodka, is authentic and natural, handcrafted the way Polish vodka has been made for over 600 years. We use Dankowskie Gold Rye along with pure artesian water from our own wells, distilling four times for a perfect balance of purity and character. The unique result is unadulterated. We think you'll love it but we know you have to try it to believe it."

"The first sniffings unearth a soft, slightly sour and vegetal aroma; more time adds minor scents of ash and unsmoked cigarette. The bittersweet palate entry taste flashes on cocoa bean and sap; at midpalate toasty, sooty flavors of tobacco leaf, wood smoke, wood resin and vanilla are found. Ends up semisweet, succulent and roughly spirity." 85-89 pts.

"Clear. Spicy aromas of star anise, cream, minerals and powdered sugar follow through to a round, silky entry and a smooth off-dry medium-to-full body with a long, lingering whipped cream, spice, rye dough, and sweet citrus fade with virtually no heat. Great subtle, pure, and spicy rye flavors with a lively texture and superb smoothness. An incredible value in a world of high priced vodkas."

The familiar Polish Sobieski Vodka in a shatterproof plastic bottle....

"Extraordinarily silky with a medium body, a rich, balanced finish and a lively hint of spice. Clear with subtle aromas of rye dough follow-through, it is an elegant, artisanal vodka for sipping and superior cocktails."

"Neutral aromas with hints of sweet cream, potato bread dough, and herbal honey follow through on a very smooth and supple entry to a dryish, buoyant medium body with a delicately sweet custard pastry note. Finishes with a long, sweet cream and wet stone fade. A fantastically balanced and pure vodka for all occasions and applications."

"Early nosings pick up intense, grain-like aromas; aeration bolsters the concentrated, dry graininess but adds pungent supplemental scents of burning rubber, charcoal, baked beans and cigarette ash. Palate entry is sweet, grainy and a bit muted; midpalate is semisweet, oily and concentrated. Finish is long, sweet and grainy." 85-89 pts.