Purchased at Kraków Lotnisko's duty-free shop. Another one of the oldies - this is a honey vodka, one whose precise recipe dates back to the 13th century, as it uses a specific type of wildflower honey from the Cieszyń region and is then aged for two years in fresh oak barrels. It smells magnificent - like old leather, molasses, and a bit of old book smell as well. The balance on the palate is just wonderful, with the ultra-syrupy and ethereally smooth honey offset by the piquant, lively spice of the rye base. The flavor itself is subdued and complex, in contrast to the cloying density of its sweetness - behind the immensity of the honey and oak, there's a strong sense of subtle terroir, much like what you'd get from world-class raw honey as opposed to that stuff from the plastic bear bottles. There are only 3000 bottles made per year, but as with all Polish vodka, it's still quite affordable by foreign standards. It's astoundingly lovely, especially on the nose, and one you shouldn't miss trying!
Reviewer: Sam W.