Żubrówka Vodka Review - Zu Bison Grass Polish Vodka

In this video, Charles-Philippe reviews Żubrówka Vodka. Learn all about this vodka in this in-depth review and taste test.
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00:00 Introduction
This review was being conducted using the Bespoke Unit liquor formula, a quantifiable review matrix that you can either use at home for your own reviews. To view or download the formula sheet for Zu polish vodka, visit the review link above.
00:35 Overview
Cherished in Poland and abroad, Żubrówka is made using a 14th-century recipe, though it only became available commercially in 1928. It is produced at the Polmos Białystok in Poland and sometimes in Belarus.
While every bottle has its own individual blade of bison grass, this is purely decorative. The bison grass flavor is achieved by steeping the plant in alcohol, filtering, ad then mixing with a rye base. You can expect alcohol by volume of 37.5%.
01:41 Robe & Appearance
Zu Bison Grass vodka has a distinctive lime color or tint, though the liquid itself is quite clear. Its viscosity produces scallops on the side of the glass, pointing to the fact that Zubrowka is relatively unctuous for a vodka.
02:15 Nose
Żubrówka Vodka has a prickly nose feel that is rich in aroma. There are notes of hay and vanilla along with some aromatics that include rosemary. Broadly speaking, it is not intense but rather balanced and harmonious.
02:48 Palate
Overall, Zu polish vodka has a sweet primary flavor. The mouthfeel is very creamy and, especially for a vodka, it's very rounded and it's very smooth.
The opening consists of lemon zest, some grape, and a hint of cinnamon. Once you get into the heart, there are notes anise and a hint of cardamom. Interestingly, there's also a note of coconut prior to the finish, which itself consists of tonka bean and rose. The finish is medium to long, and the complexity is surprisingly more prominent on the palate than the nose.
Żubrówka was illegal in the USA until recently due to the bison grass used which contains trace amounts of coumarin. However, a new formula was made for the American market.
04:34 Overall Experience
Żubrówka has a distinctive bottle with a bison accompanied by some text and depictions of medals which are not prizes but speak to the brand itself. Pressed into the glass there are extra blades of grass, as well as the bison and the logo. There is no packaging for the bottle.
Being a very versatile polish vodka, this is a great option to sip neat, especially if you generally don't enjoy drinking vodka in this manner. If you're of Eastern European heritage, this is likely a great option to have on hand.
05:44 Occasion & Value For Money
In terms of occasion, this vodka is ideal for casual parties and a good fit for formal occasions given its unique nature.
With a retail price of $26 or €15 in Europe, it is fairly priced.
06:15 Cocktails & Pairings
Zubrowka can be quite happily sipped neat. If this style isn't your cup of tea (or cup of vodka), you can integrate it into cocktails such as a vodka martini or as a substitute for gin in a typical gin-tonic. Truly, it goes very nicely with some tonic water and a classic twist of lime.
You can also add it to a Moscow mule in which it'll add another layer of complexity. Overall, you'll be safe using it as an alternative to both gin and vodka in lots of different cocktails.
When it comes to pairings, it's said to go very nicely with vanilla ice cream or fruit sorbet. A typical tradition in some parts of Scandinavia is to have akvavit and seafood; you could certainly have Żubrówka instead in such a scenario. Given that many Scandinavian akvavits are herbaceous and rich in fennel, this is a good option if you're not too keen on fennel.
Finally, when it comes to pairing with a cigar, my recommendation would be an Oliva Connecticut Reserve as it has a potent profile with nutty characteristics. Otherwise, another type of Connecticut cigar would marry well with the Żubrówka.
If you have any questions or comments about Zu Bison Grass Polish Vodka, leave us a comment below!
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[@Lawful_Rebel]

I've not watched this yet, but "Bison Grass" vodka is excellent with freshly pressed apple juice or in apple flavoured cocktails.

[@brianboru8858]

Hola papa

[@Bespokeunit]

Great rec!

[@snoitseuqpi1119]

Drinking it right now friend!

[@Bajbajoc]

It is not a liqueur but flavoured vodka. Vodka can be flavoured with herbs and spices (like fennel), honey, rose etc., also can be aged (vide starka) and sweetened.

[@peterorincsay6525]

Thanks for a great review! I just bought my first bottle of Bison Grass vodka returning from Poland. I tasted it as I watched the video! Great experience, and great Vodka!

[@Bespokeunit]

Great to hear you were enjoying it along with our review! Rafael

[@davidmurphy8364]

I got a bottle of this as a gift from my brother, who doesn’t drink. Being somewhat of a drinker myself but not someone who’s overly particular about what I drink(I’m a cans of Cider man, for spirits I’d usually just grab a bottle of JD or Smirnoff then just drown it in Diet 7up or Coke Zero to kill the taste) I was pleasantly surprised to find this is actually a top quality product! I’ve read in Poland it’s usually served over ice and mixed with Cloudy Apple Juice. So I vow I shall not insult our Polish brethren by mixing this with Dr. Pepper or some other crap and drink it as it should be drank! Apologies for my rant, i thoroughly enjoyed your review!

[@Bespokeunit]

Not a rant, we appreciate you sharing this anecdote! Not everyone takes the time to research how particular spirits are enjoyed in their home country, so I commend your respect to this unique vodka. Rafael

[@NEGAHNEPOHON]

I can only smell acetone, but a very mild & pleasant acetone, with no headache. Maybe a bit of citrus & maybe aniseed. It’s sweet & very smooth, can easily be enjoyed neat. It’s great as a screwdriver, because it’s already sweet & smooth & you don’t smell the acetone at all.

[@gew1898]

If you liked this Polish Vodka then you definitely need to try Siwucha. I would love to see you review Siwucha!

[@Bespokeunit]

Making a note to come back to Siwucha in the future. Rafael

[@MsMaine619]

Very nice review, your pronunciation of Polish words is very good as well, just wish you knew that we mix it with apple juice ... well spoken, well done !

[@Bespokeunit]

Many thanks! Part of doing these reviews is learning things from commenters such as yourself, especially when it comes to spirits and the best/most popular ways to enjoy them. Rafael

[@devilzdandruff9199]

Na zdrowie!

[@altugben9226]

very pleasent review. i loved it thank you

[@Bespokeunit]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SubSeven8948]

Lime cardamon and coconut . Very complex. Should be drinked on ice only. Just extinguish it with some nice pilsner and sleep

[@Bespokeunit]

Great tips! Rafael

[@Rozdraws]

Great review! Hope you try more polish products in the future. :)

[@Bespokeunit]

Thanks! We're constantly looking for new spirits to review. Will keep an eye out for ones originating in Poland. Rafael

[@Rozdraws]

@@Bespokeunit We're most famous for tinctures, ciders and meads, with a good portion of wines being produced too. For mostly straight spirits try looking for Krupnik or Chopin vodka, otherwise I highly recommend trying polish mead or the other options I mentioned.

[@slavicdrill3211]

@@Bespokeunit Pan Tadeusz, Wyborowa, Chopin, Bocian all of them are vodkas

[@Bespokeunit]

@@slavicdrill3211 Thanks! Will check these out. Rafael

[@Rugia-ox7hx]

Try zubrowka on ice with black currant juice -- for a black bison cocktail.

[@thenerdnmk]

Can Żubrówka be used to make Limoncello?

[@Bespokeunit]

I suppose it's possible! You'll definitely get some of the notes from the vodka coming through in the limoncello, so this may actually make for a very unique version of limoncello. Would be very interested to hear how it goes if you give this a try. Rafael

[@michallesz2]

Grass in Żubrówka is not for decoration. The concentrate of this grass is added to get the right taste and smell, safe for health. However, the grass is added so that the vodka has a medicinal character. Zybrówka is a strong medicinal herb and so that it does not harm people, only one grass is added, because we do not know what the aging time will be. Too strong herbal tincture could harm your health. Therefore, importing this vodka was forbidden in the USA. So the grass acts as a medicine.

[@ULTRAOutdoorsman]

Strange, I have had some version of it in America sold commercially before, around year 2013-2015 I'd guess

[@kajosan79]

I don't know why, but there was a myth the best is to drink Żubrówka with apple juice (mixed with vodka) or apple juice after a shot.

[@Bespokeunit]

I don't know about that myth, but sounds like a good combination. Rafael

[@constantinabadea9152]

În limba română

[@piotrekpiotr1091]

Almost the last good vodka in Poland with a Polish owner. But my friend says it's vodka for bums. Prawie ostatnia dobra wódka w polsce z polskim właścicielem. ale mój kolega mówi że to wódka dla meneli

[@Bespokeunit]

Vodka for bums?!

[@piotrekpiotr1091]

@@Bespokeunit Sorry for not specifying. I mean rather ordinary white Żubrówka, this one is more popular in Poland and it is rather cheaper from these vodkas. My friend is a bit younger and this may have an impact on his comment on the żóbrówka white

[@martqlkan9686]

It is not a liquor! Don't talk to public if you have no knowledge 😂 Liquor is sweet and percentage it's 19-28%? If it's above 34% it's a spirit. Notes are apple, citrus grass, vanilla 😉 Specific. Goings with apple juice, iced or hot, cinnamon bark, star anise, rosemary

[@Bespokeunit]

Thanks for the clarification, I think it was more of an oversight in this case. Rafael

[@1920s]

Belarus? Reeeee!

[@thenerdnmk]

Żubrówka is made in Poland, not in Belarus.