Zubrowka Original Bison Grass Vodka 750ml
Żubrówka is produced at the Polmos Białystok distillery in northeastern Poland, roughly 200 kilometers from Warsaw, in a region where the practice of flavoring vodka with bison grass is said to date back to the 14th or 15th century. The tradition is tied closely to the Białowieża Forest, home to Europe's largest land mammal, the European bison, from which the vodka takes its name. Commercial production of this particular bison grass vodka began at the distillery in 1928, and Żubrówka has since grown into one of the best-selling vodka brands in the world.
The vodka starts from a rye base, distilled in the traditional Polish style. Bison grass is hand-harvested once a year in June, when its flavor is at its richest, then dried and bundled before the distilled rye spirit is passed through it to draw out its character. The infused liquid is rested briefly and blended with the base vodka before bottling, and each bottle includes a single blade of the grass as a signature touch, along with the pale green tint the infusion leaves behind.
The aroma is delicate and grassy, often compared to jasmine tea, with a light touch of white pepper. On the palate, herbal and grassy notes mingle with vanilla, almond, and lavender, along with subtle hints of citrus and tobacco. The finish is smooth and lingers with grassy, vanilla-tinged sweetness that sets it apart from more neutral vodkas.