Monopolowa
Encyclopedia
Monopolowa is a vodka
made in Austria
originated from Poland
. It is distilled
from potato
es. It scored a 94 at the 2003 International Review of Spirits, the highest score, tying with Stolichnaya
, from Russia
. It is produced under the brand of the pre-war Polish spirits producer J. A. Baczewski
.
generic adjective referring to state monopoly. Nevertheless, this name refers to a privilege of the nobility. In the mid-17th century, a monopoly was granted to the szlachta
on producing and selling vodka in their territories. (see History of the vodka in Poland)
Monopolowa is a distinctive potato vodka, produced of a traditional formula, imbued with a distinct intensity, smoothness, depth of flavor and complexity of character, all attributable to a “back-to-basics” tradition of being distilled from potatoes. (Vodka, native to Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, as well as Russia, was traditionally assumed to be made from potatoes. Presently, most other vodkas are produced from grain.)
Monopolowa was produced by J. A. Baczewski until the Second World War. After the war, the Austrian Gessler company
bought the licence and the rights to production.
After Poland became a democratic country in 1989, the Starogard Gdański based branch of the Polmos company started to produce several of J.A. Baczewski's products under license from Altvater Gessler - J.A. Baczewski International (USA) Inc. However, in the late 1990s the license was terminated and production in Poland was halted.
Monopolowa has consistently scored top marks in awards and is attractive for consumers looking for a high quality product with a low price. In 2008 the independent Beverage Testing Institute
has given Monopolowa a rating of 93 points out of 100, calling it "exceptional".
Tasting Notes
In a world of flavourless, overhyped grain vodkas and gins, Monopolowa triple distils potato spirits of infinite distinction. In head-to-head competitions against some of the world’s most recognized vodkas and gins, Monopolowa has repeatedly won Gold Medals and has been rated “Exceptional”, “Best Spirit” and “Best Value”. Be one of the first in Australia to enjoy these unique Austrian classics.
Vodka Monopolowa is well suited for mixed drinks of all kinds. Its rich texture and smoothness are further enhanced when served chilled with a twist of lemon.
Review
Gold Medal, Rating: 93 points (Exceptional)
“Clear. Mild aromas of buttercream, candied citrus peel and anise follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium body with notes of banana taffy and minerals. Finishes with long, very smooth fade. A pristine, poised vodka for sipping neat or in martinis.” — Beverage Testing Institute, International Review of Spirits 2010
Awards
2010 The Beverage Testing Institute International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal. Rated: 93 points (Exceptional) & Best Buy
2009 The International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver Medal
2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver Medal
2008 The Beverage Testing Institute International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal. Rated: 92 points (Exceptional)
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
made in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
originated from Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. It is distilled
Distillation
Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in volatilities of components in a boiling liquid mixture. Distillation is a unit operation, or a physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction....
from potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
es. It scored a 94 at the 2003 International Review of Spirits, the highest score, tying with Stolichnaya
Stolichnaya
-Description:Fermentation of Stolichnaya starts with wheat and rye grains and artesial water from the Russian city of Samara and the Kaliningrad region. The fermentation takes about 60 hours. Once fermentation is complete the resulting liquid is distilled four times to a strength of 96.4% ABV....
, from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. It is produced under the brand of the pre-war Polish spirits producer J. A. Baczewski
J. A. Baczewski
J. A. Baczewski was a Polish company most well-known for its fine spirits such as vodka and gin. The factory, dating back to late 18th century, was based in Lwów and until 1939 was one of two most popular Polish export goods.- History :...
.
History
Monopolowa is a Polish languagePolish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
generic adjective referring to state monopoly. Nevertheless, this name refers to a privilege of the nobility. In the mid-17th century, a monopoly was granted to the szlachta
Szlachta
The szlachta was a legally privileged noble class with origins in the Kingdom of Poland. It gained considerable institutional privileges during the 1333-1370 reign of Casimir the Great. In 1413, following a series of tentative personal unions between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of...
on producing and selling vodka in their territories. (see History of the vodka in Poland)
Monopolowa is a distinctive potato vodka, produced of a traditional formula, imbued with a distinct intensity, smoothness, depth of flavor and complexity of character, all attributable to a “back-to-basics” tradition of being distilled from potatoes. (Vodka, native to Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, as well as Russia, was traditionally assumed to be made from potatoes. Presently, most other vodkas are produced from grain.)
Monopolowa was produced by J. A. Baczewski until the Second World War. After the war, the Austrian Gessler company
Gessler (company)
The Gessler company is an Austrian company that produces liqueur such as "Altvater" as well as Monopolowa vodka.- History :The original company was founded in Bromberg...
bought the licence and the rights to production.
After Poland became a democratic country in 1989, the Starogard Gdański based branch of the Polmos company started to produce several of J.A. Baczewski's products under license from Altvater Gessler - J.A. Baczewski International (USA) Inc. However, in the late 1990s the license was terminated and production in Poland was halted.
Monopolowa has consistently scored top marks in awards and is attractive for consumers looking for a high quality product with a low price. In 2008 the independent Beverage Testing Institute
Beverage Testing Institute
The Beverage Testing Institute is a marketing service company that provides reviews for spirits, wines, and beers. It uses numerical scores and publishes books of its test results.-Reviews:...
has given Monopolowa a rating of 93 points out of 100, calling it "exceptional".
Tasting Notes
In a world of flavourless, overhyped grain vodkas and gins, Monopolowa triple distils potato spirits of infinite distinction. In head-to-head competitions against some of the world’s most recognized vodkas and gins, Monopolowa has repeatedly won Gold Medals and has been rated “Exceptional”, “Best Spirit” and “Best Value”. Be one of the first in Australia to enjoy these unique Austrian classics.
Vodka Monopolowa is well suited for mixed drinks of all kinds. Its rich texture and smoothness are further enhanced when served chilled with a twist of lemon.
Review
Gold Medal, Rating: 93 points (Exceptional)
“Clear. Mild aromas of buttercream, candied citrus peel and anise follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium body with notes of banana taffy and minerals. Finishes with long, very smooth fade. A pristine, poised vodka for sipping neat or in martinis.” — Beverage Testing Institute, International Review of Spirits 2010
Awards
2010 The Beverage Testing Institute International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal. Rated: 93 points (Exceptional) & Best Buy
2009 The International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver Medal
2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver Medal
2008 The Beverage Testing Institute International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal. Rated: 92 points (Exceptional)