Żubrówka

History

Europe's Oldest Flavoured Vodka

The first documentary reference to a vodka infused with bison grass dates to 1534, when Polish botanist Stefan Falimierz described it in his herbal as a medicinal drink. For several centuries this vodka remained a regional tradition of Podlasie — the borderland between Poland and Belarus, home to one of the last primeval forests of Europe: the Białowieża Forest.

The trademark "Żubrówka" was officially registered in 1894. The label featured a bison — the symbol of the Białowieża Forest, where the last wild European bison still roam. It is the bison, which grazes partly on bison grass, that gave the plant its alternative name.

In the United States, sales of Żubrówka were banned until 1999: American legislation restricted the use of coumarin — a natural compound found in bison grass. A special version was developed for the American market using a synthetic aromatic analogue without coumarin. The European version with natural grass continues to contain coumarin within permitted limits.

Today Żubrówka is one of the most recognisable Polish vodka brands in the world and an obligatory reference in any discussion of flavoured vodkas.

Production

Rye, the Forest and One Blade by Hand

The foundation of Żubrówka is purified rye spirit. Rye provides a soft base with a gentle spiciness that pairs well with the botanics of bison grass. After distillation and purification the spirit is macerated with an extract of bison grass — the herb Hierochloe odorata, harvested by hand in the Białowieża Forest at a strictly defined time of year.

Bison grass contains coumarin, coumarin-3-carboxylic acid and other aromatic compounds — these are what create the characteristic aroma of fresh-cut hay, vanilla and a hint of coconut. Concentration is strictly controlled to comply with European standards.

The final flourish of production is the hand-insertion of a single blade of bison grass into each bottle. This tradition, preserved from earlier times, has today become the brand's hallmark and virtually the marketing standard for the category.

Tasting

A Meadow in a Glass

Cocktail

Tatanka — Poland's Classic

The coumarin in bison grass has a unique property: it resonates with the acidity of apple juice, creating a new dimension of flavour — something between apple pie and a summer meadow. This effect was discovered by accident and became one of the simplest and most elegant cocktails.

Range

Brand Expressions

• Żubrówka Biała 40% The original with bison grass. Green label, a blade in the bottle.
• Żubrówka Czarna 40% The Black line without bison grass — pure rye, more intense and spicy.
• Żubrówka Rosé 37.5% Pink version with raspberry. Aimed at the cocktail market.