Distiller Notes
Wine Enthusiast 100 Best Spirits of 2021
Belvedere Heritage 176 is quite simply a taste of vodka's past. Up until the 19th century, Polish vodka-makers relied on the old technique of "malting", using fire-kilns to liberate enzymes from the rye’s starch—a tradition which also naturally revealed rich and distinctive flavors. Over time, as the vodka category expanded and technology evolved, these old traditions sadly faded out, and vodka became more associated with neutrality. Belvedere challenges neutrality and believes that rye, the heart of our brand, delivers both distinctive taste and character. OU Kosher.
To demonstrate this further, Belvedere has revived this traditional malting technique which unlocks rich depth, flavor and complexity that would otherwise remain hidden in the rye. Rich, full-bodied and complex, with hints of honey, walnut and allspice, Heritage 176 is best savored over ice with a lemon twist.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Technically this is classified as a “spirit drink,” but it drinks like an excellent vodka. What’s in the bottle is vodka mixed with a malted rye spirit, yielding a brisk, spicy sip. It’s a winner mixed into a dry Martini.
Belvedere vodka is a reflection of their heritage: over 600 years of Polish vodka-making tradition has led to the creation of Belvedere Vodka.
Belvedere respects over 600 years of Polish vodka history, tradition and standards of vodka production, which means the use of traditional ingredients, no additives and only natural flavor profiles. This approach was codified in 2013 with the introduction of a Geographical Appellation, protecting traditional Polish vodka making techniques. Poland is the first and only Geographical Appellation for vodka and as such is a guarantee of authenticity, heritage and quality.
The distillery in Zyradow was established in 1910 and is the longest continuously operating distillery in Poland.
Though Vodka aspires to be an odorless and tasteless spirit on its own, this aspect (somewhat ironically) makes it the perfect base for flavored spirits, as there aren’t any other flavors or aromas to compete with those being added. While some premium producers steep their Vodkas with actual fruit, extracts and concentrates are most commonly used to achieve a desired flavor.