Belvedere has launched a new expression, Belvedere Heritage 176. The new Vodka from the iconic Polish brand is made with malted rye and can’t technically be called Vodka in Europe because the spirit was distilled to 92% rather than the required 96% for Vodka.
Made by steeping, sprouting and heating the rye in kilns up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit, Belvedere Heritage 176 only uses Polska rye and purified water. It’s a blend of 98% Vodka and 2% malted Rye spirit.
The new expression celebrates Polish Vodka tradition, which widely used the technique of malting rye until the 1890s. In order to perfect its flavor, the brand’s master rye distillers experimented on various levels of malted rye, until finally concluding that 2% delivered the “most complex flavour profile.”
“Belvedere remains committed to showcasing that rye can impart unexpected, authentic and nuanced taste,” noted Rodney Williams, president and CEO of Belvedere Vodka. “In 2018, our release of two different single estate rye vodkas based on the same strain of rye demonstrated that terroir plays a significant role in shaping rye flavours. Now with Heritage 176 we are continuing to display rye’s enormous potential for rich and bold flavours, this time by malting rye to bring out its depth of flavour. Heritage 176 is a new sipping vodka based [on] an old production technique.”
Belvedere UK brand ambassador Mark Tracey added, “Heritage 176 offers drinks enthusiasts a rye experience with a big difference – it’s supremely rich on the palate with a flavour profile of sweet spice, honey and walnut that goes beyond what you’d expect from a white spirit. We feel it is best served over block ice with a lemon twist, but the versatility of this special new liquid also allows it to be stirred down into digestif cocktails or shaken with citrus and honey to be light, bright and refreshing.”
Bottled at 40% ABV, Belvedere Heritage 176 will be available become available across the United Kingdom on September 21 via Amazon for the price of £42 ($54 USD) per 750ml bottle.
