Belvedere

History

From Soviet Plant to Luxury Palace

The distillery in Żyrardów has been operating since 1910. During the Soviet era it functioned as the state plant "Polmos Żyrardów," producing industrial spirits and vodka. After the change of political system in the late 1980s the plant began its path towards privatisation and reinvention.

In 1993 the Belvedere brand was created — its name references the Belvedere Palace in Warsaw, built in the 18th century and serving as the official residence of the President of Poland. The image of the palace on the clear bottle was instantly recognisable — especially against the backdrop of the then-prevailing opaque Soviet-style bottles.

Belvedere became one of the first Polish brands deliberately positioned as super-premium in Western markets — particularly in the USA, where in the 1990s the "premium vodka wars" were playing out.

In 2005 LVMH — the luxury goods conglomerate that owns Louis Vuitton, Moët & Chandon, Hennessy, Bulgari and dozens of other brands — acquired Belvedere for a significant sum. This acquisition confirmed vodka's status as a fully legitimate luxury market category.

Production

Dankowskie Rye: A Variety for Vodka

Dankowskie Gold (Dankowskie Gold) is a variety bred specifically for starch-rich spirit production. It is characterised by a high starch content and a particular protein profile, which ensures a high spirit yield at fermentation and a rich grain profile in the final product. The rye is grown on 7 specialist farms within a few dozen kilometres of the distillery.

Belvedere's quadruple distillation works as follows:

• First distillation takes place at the agricultural farm where the rye is grown — this is the so-called "field spirit," still containing many grain impurities.
• Second distillation at the Belvedere plant in Żyrardów. The start of the main purification and the formation of the primary profile.
• Third distillation — fine purification. Removal of undesirable impurities while preserving the rye character.
• Fourth distillation — final rectification with careful fraction cuts. Achieving the required strength and purity before dilution with water.

After distillation — dilution with Polish artesian water to 40% ABV and bottling. No additives, no charcoal filtration (which might "erase" the grain character).

Tasting

Velvet and Rye Spice

Range

From Single Estate to Ultra-Premium

• Belvedere Pure 40% The flagship. Classic Dankowskie rye profile. Clear bottle with the palace silhouette.
• Single Estate Rye: Smogóry Forest 40% A terroir vodka from a specific farm in a forest region. A more forested, woody profile.
• Single Estate Rye: Lake Bartężek 40% A farm beside Lake Bartężek. A more delicate, mineral profile with lakeside freshness.
• Belvedere Intense 40% A more concentrated rye character for those seeking a pronounced grain profile.
• Belvedere 10 40% Ultra-premium. A special release supplied in a wooden box. Limited edition.
• Lemon & Basil 40% Flavoured: lemon and basil. Natural ingredients, no artificial additives.
• Blackberry & Lemongrass 40% Flavoured: blackberry and lemongrass. Berry-citrus profile.