Polish and Russian vodkas are the subject of many heated debates. Who invented it? Which one is better? Let's find out!
The History of Polish Vodka
As with many other spirits, the history of Polish vodka begins in monasteries. There, vodka originated as medicine and was first mentioned in a document from Sandomierz in 1405. However, it was not until the 17th century that the name vodka gradually became common throughout the country.
With the beginning of the Little Ice Age, wine cultivation in Poland declined, which led to an increase in vodka production, and vodka also began to compete with the popular beer as a stimulant. When many sales markets were lost in the second half of the 17th century due to military conflicts, a large part of the surplus grain was used to produce vodka. When grain exports increased again, but vodka remained in high demand, potatoes were also used for its production.
Most Polish vodka brands were eventually created in the 19th century, and after the First World War, there were approximately 1,200 vodka distilleries in the country.
After their nationalization in the People's Republic of Poland and privatization after the fall of the Iron Curtain, a purity law for Polish vodka was finally enacted in 2013. Today, Poland is the largest vodka producer in the EU, distilling 260 million liters of vodka per year. Vodka is the fourth most popular alcoholic beverage in Poland.
Polish vodka must, by definition, be made from agricultural products such as rye, wheat, barley, oats, or potatoes from Poland. In addition, all production stages must take place in Poland.
The History of Russian Vodka
For a long time, there has been a dispute as to which of the two countries discussed here actually invented vodka. While the first official registration can be found in Poland, a precursor to vodka was already mentioned in the Chronicle of Vyatka in 1174, which speaks for Russia. However, in Russia, it was also primarily used as medicine in its early days.
A grain surplus in 1448, however, prompted Russian farmers to distill vodka from their leftover grain. They seemed very pleased with the result, as this practice became established and spread in the following years.
The following centuries of vodka's history in Russia are as wild and eventful as the history of the country itself and actually deserve a comprehensive narrative in the style of the great Russian authors; however, we will now take a closer look at the most famous "little waters" (vodka is the diminutive of Russian 'Voda' = water) and compare the different national characteristics, so here is the short summary:
- 16th century: Nationalization by the Tsar
- from 1533: Serving in taverns
- 18th century: Loosening of the state monopoly and expansion of producers to nobility and merchants
- 1890: A long-simmering dispute between nobility and state over production ends with a renewed state monopoly
- 1914: Prohibition
- 1936: Loosening of prohibition
- 1939: Vodka is part of the provisions for soldiers in World War II
- 1990: Privatization
Russia is the world's largest vodka producer, and about half of the globally produced vodka is consumed in Russia. To further illustrate the popularity of vodka in Russia, here are some telling quotes:
"Vodka, vodka, Russia is a drunken country... hiccup!" - Joseph Stalin
"To live in Russia and not drink is unpatriotic, anti-national, and unnatural." - Russian TV presenter
"In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was - Vodka." - Viktor Yerofeyev
Vodka in Poland: Well-known varieties
To describe the differences between Polish and Russian vodka, it makes sense to delve in medias res and discover the particular national characteristics and peculiarities based on the defining vodka brands of both countries. Let's start with Polish vodkas.
Wyborowa Wódka 37.5 %
Wyborowa is considered the oldest internationally distributed vodka in the world. This vodka has been produced in the western part of the country in Poznań since 1823. Since 1873, this classic Polish vodka with 37.5% vol. alcohol has been exported.
The nutty-sweet taste of wholemeal bread goes perfectly with extensive Polish dinners – the most popular occasion for vodka consumption in Poland. Wyborowa – like Polish vodka in general – is drunk at room temperature so that the aromas can unfold properly.
Zubrowka BISON GRASS Flavoured Vodka 40%
The Zubrowka, extremely popular in German-speaking countries, with its characteristic bison grass blade in the bottle, is produced by the Polish vodka producer Polmos – the successor to the monopoly company from the Soviet era. Although the company is based in Warsaw, the special feature of this vodka is that it is infused with aromas of bison grass from northern Poland. In addition, Zubrowka also offers many other vodka varieties such as Zubrowka Biala or Zubrowka Czarna.
The bison grass infusion is also evident in the smell and taste of this oak-aged vodka made from Polish rye. Spicy-grassy aromas mingle with hints of vanilla, pepper, and cinnamon, perfectly complementing pierogi, the delicious Polish dumplings.
Belvedere Vodka 40 %
This critically acclaimed Belvedere Vodka is made from 100% Polish "Dankowskie Gold" rye from the Masovian Voivodeship region in eastern Poland and distilled four times in total.
Few other vodkas have won as many awards as this one, and that is primarily due to the harmonious complexity of its taste.
Full-bodied, velvety, and slightly sweet-salty, this vodka seduces the taster's palate and leaves them floating in seventh heaven with long-lasting aftertastes of almonds and cream. In Poland, after this "pure" pleasure, one usually drinks a glass of water or juice (no other alcohol) and then does not miss the opportunity to embark on this extraordinary taste journey again.
Vodka in Russia: well-known varieties
Finding three representative vodkas for this enormous and diverse country is actually an impossibility. But Russian vodka has already made many impossibilities possible, and so we have chosen three prime examples of vodka from Russia that exceptionally well represent the peculiarities of this integral part of Russian culture.
Smirnoff Vodka 37.5 %
Smirnoff is clearly the best-known Russian vodka brand and the best-selling worldwide. The distillery was founded in Moscow in 1886. During the October Revolution in 1917, however, the owner family had to flee and eventually reached the USA via Istanbul, Lemberg, and Paris, where the company made its vodka known and popular from the 1940s onwards. But what makes Smirnoff vodka number one?
In short: Smirnoff Vodka is a crowd-pleaser that doesn't offend and is therefore gladly drunk by everyone. With 37.5% vol. alcohol, it is rather light and provides a pure, mild drinking pleasure with subtle grain notes and restrained spiciness. It also goes perfectly with the sour gherkins that Russians like to bite into after a glass of vodka.
Beluga Noble Russian Vodka EXPORT 40 %
The Beluga is an extremely high-quality Russian vodka from the Mariinsk JSC distillery in the heart of Siberia. Filtering with pure artesian water and the use of malt alongside natural Russian grain create a complex and luxurious premium vodka.
In Russia, vodka is drunk neat, chilled (but without ice), and in one gulp (though the glass is not filled to the brim), which should not be difficult for people from other cultures with this exceptionally mild example. Aromas of noble spices and lemon complement slightly sweet notes. The best part is: the word hangover does not exist in the world of Beluga vodka.
Russian Standard Original Vodka 40 %
The Russian Standard Original Vodka is aptly considered the standard in the premium market segment in Russia, which is why it cannot be missing from our idea of typical Russian vodka. The company is located in beautiful St. Petersburg and produces its vodkas according to an original recipe by Dmitri Mendeleev from 1894.
Since this vodka is also only drunk neat, it tastes pure and smooth, which justifies its popularity. Clear glacier water and high-quality winter wheat also ensure an incredibly mild taste.
Polish and Russian Vodka Compared: The Differences
The history and peculiarities of vodkas from both countries have now been fundamentally presented, and some differences will certainly have already caught the attentive reader's eye. Of course, there are many similarities in raw materials, production, and naming (vodka means "little water" in both languages), after all, it is the same spirit. However, the diverging history of both countries and the different framework conditions also led to some deviations. So, if you want to find out whether Polish or Russian vodka will suit you better, you can look at the overview of the main differences below:
- Vodka from Poland is drunk at room temperature, Russian vodka ice-cold.
- In Russia, vodka is drunk as a shot, while Polish vodka is usually enjoyed over a longer period with several sips.
- In Poland, there is more experimentation in production, and vodkas are often infused with various flavors (bison grass, honey, herbs, and fruits), whereas for Russian vodka, an unadulterated pure taste is particularly important.
- Some Polish vodkas mature in oak barrels, while Russian vodkas are usually bottled directly or stored in steel tanks to avoid altering the taste.
- In Poland, vodka is drunk with many hearty side dishes: sausage, mushrooms, pickled cucumbers; in Russia, these are also mandatory: here, sausage, aspics, potatoes, bread, and pickled cucumbers are part of the repertoire. The difference at this point is only the different preparation and composition of the side dishes.
- In Poland, before drinking, people say "na zdrowie" ("to health") – the Polish equivalent of the German "Prost." It is often mistakenly assumed that the Russian "na zdorovie" is used in the same sense. However, this is not the case. In Russia, a new toast is thought of in turn before each clink – because vodka is never drunk alone in either country.
Since the question of which vodka tastes better is ultimately absolutely subjective, we can only advise you to invite Polish and Russian friends, explore the differences together, and celebrate the commonality!
