From Żyrardów to the world: the history of a Polish distillery
The Polmos Żyrardów distillery, located 45 kilometers west of Warsaw in the Masovian Lowlands, was founded in 1910 by Dawid and Mejer Pines as a distillery and rectification plant. The facility started production of Belvedere in 1993 — named after the Belweder, the Polish presidential palace in Warsaw, whose illustration is depicted on the bottle. In 1996, the vodka was introduced in the USA as a luxury product, where it redefined a market. In 2001, the distillery was privatized before LVMH first acquired a 70 percent stake in Millennium and increased this to 100% in 2005. Today, the distillery produces exclusively Belvedere Vodka.
Rye, water, fire — and strict Polish rules
The distillery is located on the edge of the Masovian Plain, where the Dańkowskie Złote rye variety — in English: Dańkowskie Gold — has been cultivated for centuries. Belvedere Vodka is made exclusively from this locally grown grain. The predominantly family-run farms grow the rye, ferment it, and distill it into raw alcohol, which is then delivered by tanker truck to Żyrardów for rectification. Distillation takes place four times in copper pot stills over direct fire, and the water comes from the distillery's own wells. No additives, no shortcuts: every production step must take place on Polish soil in accordance with the Polish geographical indication, using locally sourced raw materials.
For traceability and sustainability, the distillery sources its organically grown rye from eight local producers. In terms of energy supply, Belvedere goes even further: A biomass combined heat and power system covers 100% of the production's heat and electricity requirements from renewable sources. Compared to 2019, CO₂ emissions were reduced by 97% in 2022 and 2023.
The range: from classic vodka to the terroir edition
Belvedere Vodka is distilled from organic Polish rye and purified water — without additives. In the glass, it shows notes of almond, vanilla, and white pepper, a slightly creamy body, and a long, clean finish. Neat, on ice, or as a base for a vodka martini and espresso martini — the character of the rye remains recognizable in every form of preparation. The Single Estate Rye series includes two bottlings: Lake Bartężek and Smogóry Forest, both expressions of the terroir from which the respective rye originates. Belvedere Heritage 176 combines classic rye spirit with a portion of intensely flavored malted rye spirit. Belvedere 10, in turn, takes up the historical production method from the distillery's founding year of 1910. The result is a range that shows how much breadth is contained in a single raw material — if you take it seriously.
