Luxury vodka brand, Belvedere, has revealed its latest innovation, The Belvedere Single Estate Rye Series.
The series aims to bring the idea of terroir into vodka with the launch of two distinct vodkas, Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek. Both vodkas are created using the same Polish Dankowskie Diamond Rye, but with both being from different regions, the differences in the vodka are attributed to the terroir.
Matt Pomeroy, Global Director of Brand Education at Belvedere vodka, told The Shout: “Belvedere has always stayed true to its identity and it’s always been about the raw ingredient and it’s always been about the rye and about the challenge against neutrality. With Polish vodka you are not allowed to add anything to the vodka, so with Belvedere there has always been this focus on Polish tradition, Polish culture and rye flavour; Belevdere has always been about character and simplicity.
“The brand is built around three passions which are Poland, rye and character and so we’ve made a conscious choice to really explore rye and for rye to be the hero of what we do, and to see what journey rye can take us on and to challenge the concept that vodka is neutral.”
The brand works with only seven farms and for this series selected two, focusing on the lakeside Bartężek and forested Smogóry, to illustrate the variation of terroir on Dankowskie Diamond rye.
In comparing the two vodkas Belvedere said: “The Smogóry region is known for its vast forests, short, continental weather fronts, mild winters and fertile soils. This lush, forested terroir is reflected in the new distinctive vodka. With notes of salted caramel, a touch of honey and white pepper, it finishes salty-sweet.
“In comparison Lake Bartężek is a region renowned for its crystal-clear glacial lakes, weather shaped by Baltic winds and long, snowy winters. It is this lakeside terroir that is reflected in this distinctive vodka. With notes of black pepper, toasted nuts and cream, it is full, round and mellow.”
Belvedere’s Single Estate Rye Series was recently launched in Sydney by Rodney Williams, president and CEO of Belvedere Vodka, at The Single Estate Rooms in Chippendale.
Top bartenders including Solotel’s Jeremy Shipley, Charlie Parker’s Sam Egerton, and The Everleigh’s Felix Allsop created bespoke cocktails for the exclusive tasting and dinner.
Both Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek vodkas will be available at top bars around Australia from May.
