The flagship "super-premium" Vodka from Poland.
The Polmos Żyrardów Distillery was built in 1910, producing a range of Polish Vodkas and other Spirits. The Belvedere Vodka line was originally created to break into the United States market in 1996. It was marketed as the "world’s first super-premium Vodka." It was a huge success — not just in the US, but world-wide. So much so that virtually all production at the facility is now dedicated to creating the various versions of Belvedere Vodka. Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) acquired the facility and brand in 2002.
Belvedere Vodka is made exclusively from a local variety of Polish rye grain — Dańkowskie Zlote rye — harvested from seven farms nearby. Uniquely, the rye mash is cooked under pressure to prevent the essences of the grain from cooking off. Then the Spirit is fermented and distilled four times for purity. Then the Spirit is rested for two days before being brought to proof.
This process sure sounds "super-premium" to us.
Smartass Corner:
Belvedere Vodka is named after the Polish Presidential Palace in Warsaw — "Belweder." A picture of that building appears on the bottle.