Belvedere Single Estate Rye: Smogóry Forest

Aroma: Clean, with a subtle hint of distant rye bread. Palate: Surprisingly smooth, very sweet, with a profound sense of rye bread, reminiscent of enjoying it outdoors on a winter's day. A truly rich and creamy texture. It lacks any harshness, feeling like drinking silk. Finish: Fades quickly into a pleasantly sweet, gentle aftertaste. I'm not typically a vodka enthusiast, largely due to the common American pursuit of a "flavorless, colorless, odorless" spirit. This, however, is Poland's answer to the rest of the world. A single estate rye vodka possessing depth, character, and subtlety. Utterly remarkable. I'll reserve judgment in case I discover an even better vodka, but I doubt it. Score: 4.75 (consider this a 5)

A creamy sensation with notes of grain, bread, and a hint of spice. The grain and toasted bread flavors persist long after swallowing. A worthwhile purchase.

Great for a dry martini. I would not mix this vodka. It coats your mouth with rich flavor. You can detect the grain.

It's unusual to describe a vodka as "melt-in-your-mouth," but that's precisely how this spirit behaves. It's smooth, sweet, and buttery.

Slightly sweet, very pure. It's surprisingly enjoyable to drink neat. Exceptionally mellow.

A subtle spice on the aroma. Peppered bread dough on the palate. Really good.