Belvedere Single Estate Rye: Lake Bartężek

Taste is well above average. Nose is a bit heavy for 80 prooff. Super easy to sip neat and enjoy, but my preference is 1:1 with topo chico with a shaved lemon rind and ice.

Rating: 19/23 I hear that this is a good vodka with some interesting character. I've had a couple of stinkers lately, so I'm hoping that this will be a bit of a relief. N: Mild alcohol lets some grain, a bit of lemon, and some restrained earthiness through. This isn't enjoyable all on its own, but it does bode well for the palate. P: Smooth and sweet, with some earthiness and spice that just barely avoids being harsh. It's a tad full. It's an easy-drinking vodka with some bit of nuance. Definitely works as a sipper. I do wish that the spice were a bit reduced though because the more I sip, the more it gets a little harsh. F: Yeah, there's not much of a finish here. It's tasty, but quickly forgettable. It's kind of sweet and watery with bits of earth and grain. Nice, but on the subtle side. - Conclusion - Honestly, I would have guessed that this was wheat, potato, or some sort of grain blend (the last being the most likely). Rye was far from my mind. This is a fascinating one. I really didn't expect this from a rye vodka, but I love it. Wheatley (14/23) is much harsher with a more bitter, funky, and less enjoyable flavor. There's definitely at least a 2 point gap between these two. This isn't blowing my mind, but it sure is a really nice vodka. Chopin Wheat (17/23) shows more grain, but also more bitterness. It still has some nice, clean, watery sweetness. The two are fairly close, but this tastes a bit more balanced and lacks that slightly off-putting bitterness. I think that the winner is clearly this, by a 1-2 point margin. Possibly even 3 points. If I had to choose now, I'd go with a 19. Yeah, I'm going with that. What a delightful vodka!