Type Herbal Vodka Country of origin Białystok, Poland | Manufacturer Polmos Białystok | |
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Introduced 1950, though based on a much older recipe Alcohol by volume 36% (since 2013)
40% (traditionally) Variants Żołądkowa Gorzka
Żołądkowa Gorzka z miętą
Żołądkowa Gorzka z miodem
Żołądkowa Gorzka De Luxe
Żołądkowa Gorzka na trawie żubrowej
Jęczmienna Żołądkowa Gorzka | ||
Wódka Żołądkowa Gorzka (Polish pronunciation: [ˈvutka ˌʐɔwɔntˈkɔva ˈɡɔʐka]) − colloquially shortened to Żołądkowa Gorzka or Żołądkowa − is a herbal vodka from Poland, and the leading brand of Polmos-Lublin/Stock Polska since 1950.
The name translates as "bitter vodka for the stomach." Żołądkowa Gorzka follows in a long Polish tradition of herb and fruit vodkas, and a traditional Polish practice of producing alcohol infused with fruits and steeped with herbs.
The brand has enjoyed popularity among consumers and has been introduced to international markets. In addition to Poland, Żołądkowa Gorzka is available in the USA, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Spain. In 2012, the Czysta de Luxe variant was the ninth-most popular vodka in the world, by sales.
Żołądkowa Gorzka has received several awards, including the Oskar FMCG 2006 award, a CoolBrands award, the Gold Medal at Poznan International Fair POLAGRA 2000, the Grand Gold Quality Award en 2009 and 3 Golden Stars of International Taste & Quality Institute Awards 2013.
In 2009, Polmos changed the bottle design for a more modern one that is still inspired by the original and traditional bottle.
In 2011, alcohol by volume content was reduced from 40% to 38%, and in 2013 was further reduced to 36%.
Taste
Despite its name, Żołądkowa Gorzka is a sweet, amber-coloured vodka with a spiced aroma and herbal flavor. This is marketed as its "traditional" variety (Żołądkowa Gorzka Tradycyjna).
The Żołądkowa Gorzka brand is now used also for other types of vodka, loosely or not associated with the traditional product, in flavour variations: