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Vodka Review: Monopolowa by VodkaBuzz

Rating
3 out of 5 shots
Bang For The Buck
3 out of 5 shots
User Rating
3.6667 out of 5 shots
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Average Price
$10.77 per 750 mL / See By State / You add a price you've seen if you join VodkaBuzz.
Percent Alcohol
40
Distilled From
Potatoes
Produced By
J. A. Baczewski
Imported By
International Import Export
Website
Monopolowa
Cap Type
Metal Screw On

Identifying Features

The bottle is square with rounded edges, rather than cylindrical, with blue labels and a blue cap.

Written on the Bottle

Attributable to the original tradition of being distilled from potatoes, Monopolowa is a vodka of infinite distinction produced in Vienna at the foot of the majestic Austrian Alps in the heart of the old world.

A winner of prestigious awards, Monopolowa is indeed the vodka of choice for the aficionado.

Review

Monopolowa was suggested by a reader. We happened to find a bottle in Denver, Colorado.

The Shot

The taste of Monopolowa in the mouth is clean and comfortable. The swallow brings out bitter flavors that stick to the tongue. On the way down, the vodka is very smooth. Monopolowa doesn't require a chaser, but the bitters that hang around aren't the most pleasant.

The Mixed Drink

I mixed Monopolowa with Welch's White Grape Juice, at least two times as much juice as vodka. Monopolowa significantly bitters the juice, making for a less than enjoyable cocktail.

Opinions

Daniel tried a shot of Monopolowa. He said it was alright going down, fairly smooth, but the bite afterwards was very strong. He thought it needed a chaser, and he wouldn't just sip on. He wasn't impressed.

Monopolowa is an okay vodka, but if you're after a potato vodka, there are much better options. The saving grace is that it is priced for the middle shelf.

Comments On Monopolowa

  1. simplyvmail said on Sep 21, 2009 at 5:27 pm...

    This isn't too bad, and one I order often. The white label is the one I see most often and like it much better. Not sure if there is a difference but there seems to be.

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  2. Fred said on Jan 20, 2010 at 8:38 am...

    I think this is a fantastic vodka considering the price, it does have a little aftertaste but I don't find it objectionable at all.
    one way to find out, try it yourself. At the price you have nothing to lose.

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  3. Dove hunter said on Apr 08, 2010 at 7:45 pm...

    I would recommend monopolova with ice and maybe a little club soda and line for flavor. When mixed with ice, you can taste the flavor develop into a sweet licorice aftertaste over time. The beauty in this drink is that it can be sipped like a whiskey and take on dynamic tones that leave no hang over when enjoyed to excess.

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  4. rikoz said on Apr 19, 2010 at 9:30 pm...

    Tastey spirits, smooth, leaves a little reminder of quality on rear taste buds.
    Usually favor Smirnoff blue label #57 triple distilled. Monopolowa potatoe vodka
    is good. Got my sample from a friend, ccame from mining are in Oregon. Apparently
    needs more advertising as my friend tells me it is in short supply. Good vodka
    Rick

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  5. Haans said on Jun 02, 2010 at 10:08 am...

    Interesting, the comment about bitter flavors are new to me. Of course being of central European heritage I would not think of drinking unchilled vodka. Perhaps this bitterness is when tasted at room temperature? From my perspective and that of my vodka drinking friends, Monopolowa is the best Vodka we have had at any price. Chopin is really overpriced and does not have the slight sweetness we find in Monopolowa. Oh and that little bite afterward. To me a very desirable trait

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  6. Robert said on Jun 04, 2010 at 7:53 am...

    @Haans I've been wondering for awhile if there aren't different brands with the same name or if different places get different "recipes" under the same brand name. Monopolowa came across to me (both in terms of packaging and flavor) as a solid middle shelf vodka, where as Chopin tasted more refined (though I do agree that it's price is a bit hard to swallow).

    For the record, we do chill the vodka before reviewing.

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  7. Haans said on Jun 07, 2010 at 7:01 am...

    @Robert. Monoplowa has recently introduced international labeling. We have not noticed any change in the product. Also we have tried blind tastings with numerous potato vodkas. Lusakowa, Chopin, Galcier(?), Monoplowa, etc. We serve right out of the freezer in traditional vodka glasses. It is interesting how people gravitate to the Monopolowa. I was originally introduced to Monoplowa by the owner of a liquor store. He thought it to be better than any premium or super premium vodka available. The price is certainly middle shelf. A Russian friend's only complaint is there is no 100 proof version.

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