4 | Spirits | Poland, $20 to $50

"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.

"The early aroma is reined in, showing just a whisper of lemon peel zestiness; exposure to air stimulates more of the lime juice component as the lemon retreats. Palate entry features the lime essence as the flavor goes citrusy, acidic, razor-sharp and refreshing; at midpalate, the off-dry flavor remains focused on the lime juice/pulp. Concludes long and astringent. Excellent." 90-95 pts.

"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.