Vodka Review: Monopolowa by Robert
- Rating
- out of 5 shots
- Bang For The Buck
- 3 out of 5 shots
- User Rating
-
3.7500 out of 5 shots
- Rate It Now!
- 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.
If you see the following form, please ignore it.
Comments On Monopolowa
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Szram said on Sep 23, 2010 at 8:24 pm...
Monopolowa is actually made in Austria from an old Polish recipe (J.A. Baczewski), hence the quality. It was very popular between the world wars, and was referenced in Polish literature due to its quality. But during WW2 the factories in Lwow, now Lviv in Ukraine were destroyed so it is now produced in Vienna (www.agjab.com) I believe. Unfortunately it's not widely available in Poland so it's fallen out of fashion there. So although it is relatively cheap, this does not mean it's poor quality. I have paid top dollar for some dreadful vodkas (e.g. u'luvka). Experience tells me that overpaying for a shot in a bar is better value than buying a bottle of something dreadful. Another example of a lesser-known quality Polish vodka is Chleb Sol (bread salt).
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fifthkilla said on Nov 03, 2010 at 4:13 am...
It's only 9.99 for a liter bottle at Trader Joes in California, definitely a good choice as a value vodka.
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SATworks said on Nov 14, 2010 at 9:10 am...
I always find it fascinating that some reviewers (and judges on shows like Iron Chef), comment as though everyone should share their opinion as being fact. In this case, bitter is what I want in my potato vodka. If you're a grain lover, however, you may want to pass on this one.
Monopolowa does indeed have staying power that is a bit on the bitter side, and that is exactly what I love in a potatoe vodka, and precisely why I love Chopin and Monopolowa. The only real difference between the two being a slightly smoother finish with the Chopin, and of course, the price. If you love Chopin, you'll certainly love Monopolowa--top shelf taste at a middle shelf price.
Makes a truly wonderful dirty martini! Cheers!
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AZWolverine said on Nov 29, 2010 at 12:12 am...
Excellent value, and the first potato vodka I ever purchased. In terms of Polish potato vodka, this is second only to Luksusowa.
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softmorningcity said on Dec 01, 2010 at 8:50 pm...
I really like Monopolowa. Great price, and I love the flavor, slight bite and the nice bitterness that hangs around for a few moments after the swallow. I also notice a bit of a citrus quality to the taste, which gives it some personality. I'd recommend this to anybody who wants a good, reasonably priced potato vodka. Luksusowa is great too. I drink both regularly. If you like vodka, you owe it to yourself to try Monopolowa.
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Nathan Galvin said on Feb 21, 2011 at 1:52 pm...
This vodka is so aesthetically pleasing in the bottle I could care less how it tastes, yet mixed with a sweet vermouth or -my personal favorite with cheap vodka- Sweet Tea, it SHINES. Seriously, a good sweet tea and this vodka is perfect for a hot summers day. Splash in some lemonade and you're set.
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GolemGolem said on Jul 19, 2011 at 7:06 pm...
I just picked up a bottle at the liquor store due to liking the bottle and it's nice big 6$ rebate sticker attached...I like it. I find it smooth and easier to sip than any other vodka at this price range. I get poster noting that there is a bit of liquorice flavor as you dig into the bottle. I'll be getting this again rebate or no rebate.
//Shit, I work for a living I can't afford 40$ bottles and 10$ shots unless you're buying.
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abbeltone said on Jul 22, 2011 at 6:37 pm...
Was looking for a mid priced potato Vodka tried Monopolowa. Made my wife a vodka & grapefruit and myself a Dry martini.
My wife didnt notice the difference from her normal more expensive brand. My martini was excellent, very pleasant taste.
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betty clark said on Dec 22, 2011 at 9:50 pm...
Please compare the difference of Monopolowaya Vodka and Chopin Vodka. Which is the best buy
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Robert said on Dec 24, 2011 at 10:47 am...
I'd buy Chopin over Monopolowa. If you're looking for a good and cheap potato vodka, try Luksusowa. We haven't reviewed it yet here but it's really good. I think we paid $11 in Georgia.
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bclark378 said on Dec 26, 2011 at 9:31 am...
Thank you for your imput - I will see if I can find it.
Betty
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