Żubrówka Bison Grass Vodka

Product of: Poland

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Pronounced 'Zhu-Brov-Ka', this Polish vodka is flavoured with Hierochloe Odorata grass, a blade of which is immersed in each bottle, giving a translucent greenish colour and a subtle flavour.

In Poland, the practice of flavouring spirit to make Żubrówka vodka is said to date back to the 14th century. The area where this grass grows in the Bialowieza Forest bridges the borders of Poland and Ukraine and is the habitat of wild Polish Bison (known in North America as buffalo). So, although the bison don't eat this variety of grass, the vodka is known as 'Bison vodka'. The grass is harvested by hand once a year in June when its flavour is richest, then dried, cut to size and bound in bunches for delivery to the distillery.

There are many other similar-looking grasses that grow in the Bialowieza forest, and they are easily mistaken for Hierochloe Odorata. However, when a blade of Hierochloe Odorata grass is pulled through your thumbnail and index finger, it leaves a white powder on your thumbnail, and it is only Hierochloe Odorata grass that does this.

Rye grain vodka is forced through the grass in a fashion simular to an espresso coffee machine, thus imparting the aromatic grass flavours to the vodka.

Sadly, the Żubrówka sold in North America is not flavoured with Hierochloe Odorata grass. It is instead flavoured synthetically as the grass imparts a chemical called Coumarin in the vodka, which is not permitted in food products sold in America or Canada. Thus, the flavour of the Żubrówka made for these markets differs from the genuine Hierochloe Odorata grass product. Thankfully, Coumarin is permitted in the European Union but is limited to 10mg per litre.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 06/11/2019

Appearance:

Clear, very slight green tinge with a blade of Hierochloe Odorata grass in each bottle.

Aroma:

Aromatic and delicate grassy jasmine tea with light white pepper.

Taste:

Herbal and grassy with hints of citrus, vanilla, lavender, tobacco and cold jasmine tea. Delicate black pepper spice.

Aftertaste:

Grassy, jasmine and vanilla notes linger.

Overall:

Wonderfully aromatic. Herbal and grassy with citrus, vanilla, lavender, tobacco and cold jasmine tea.