Rodionov & Sons Polugar!
Rodionov & Sons
Polugar
Russia
Polugar is known as the legendary Russian bread wine, the noble father of vodka.
Pre-single column still, Russia’s version of vodka was similar to whisky; the smell and flavor reminiscent of freshly baked bread and was known as bread wine.
In 1895 Tsar Alexander III decreed to have all pot stills in Russia broken down. Distillation processes were restricted to government licensed and taxed column stills. Thus established the less nuanced spirit we know as vodka today.
The Rodionov family spearheaded a movement to restore the traditional grain spirits. Boris Rodionov, a renowned vodka historian, discovered the original recipe for the national bread wine spirit. With legislation forbidding the Polugar style of grain distillation in Russia, the Rodionov family restored an old distillery tucked away in a forest in Poland.
The Rodionov family meticulously reproduced copper pot stills from 18th century drawings. Each Polugar selection is produced in accordance with authentic recipes of Russian aristocracy in the 1700s. The bottle is designed after Queen Elizabeth’s personal snuff-bottle, circa 1745, that is on exhibit at the Russian National Museum.
The word Polugar means half-burned.
Before the advent of alcohol meters, strength and quality were achieved by boiling two portions of the distillate together into one. The resulting alcohol content was 38.5% alc/vol.
Rodionov & Sons
Polugar No. 1
Rye & Wheat
38.5% abv
Lovely, oily entry with a heavy, almost viscous body and a taste that reminds you of a heavy Russian rye, with a wheat aftertaste. Absolutely deadly smooth stuff.
Lovely for use in any vodka cocktail, imparting far more favour and body in somehow subtle but substantial ways to any cocktail. Where it really shines however is with food, both as a compliment and as a plate cleanser/rest between courses this spirit is capable of acting as both an enhancer and carrier of tastes and also as a rest between a corset settle and wash clean the palate.
Rodionov & Sons
Polugar No. 3
Caraway
38.5% abv
Nicely oily entry that glides across the tongue with the aromatics of the caraway blending with the wheat and rye to give you a nicely spicy liquid bread.
A good alternative for a twist on a Martini and those drinks people call vodka martinis. Works well in 'Bloody Marys', and many other drinks calling for a little spice and aromatics. Can also replace gin as a more simple alternative in certain drinks. It is also outstanding with food – particularly such as herring or other Swedish and Russian cuisine.
