We BoozeBashers are always on the lookout for good spirits that are easy on the wallet, so I dug deeply into my alcohol-depleted memory banks and recalled a delicious vodka I had once consumed while on a road trip to Chicago with college buddies. I remember stumbling across a half-gallon of vodka called Sobieski in Bobak’s Sausage Company (a Polish grocery store) that was on sale for $15. I was elated to find any kind of liquor in a grocery store and even more excited to find this brand for such an affordable price. I was later blown away by the taste of Sobieski that night. After coming all the way home, I was shocked at how difficult it was to find this vodka. A few years later, I found myself back in Chicago on business, and I was determined to get back to Bobak’s to get my hands on more Sobieski. Unfortunately, my journey there failed to produce this vodka. The trek from my Hilton Suite to Bobak’s began with a naked man on my elevator ride down and ended on a subway train around midnight when a particularly scary man progressed from talking to himself to random groans and eerie looks in my direction. I decided to turn back before the train made it to my ultimate destination. I thought I might never see Sobieski again, but to my delight, I noticed it beaming back at me one day from a shelf in a local liquor store! I was a relatively inexperienced drinker the last time I consumed Sobieski, and wondered if would I still like it? How would it fare in a BoozeBasher tasting? Read on to see.
Sobieski is a Polish vodka named after King Jan III Sobieski and is actually owned by the Belvedere Company of France. Poland claims to be the birthplace of vodka though the true origin of the spirit is debated. The people at Sobieski renounce gimmicky trends like making vodka from grapes or distilling it many extra times. Sobieski is made from Dankowski rye that is harvested from the Mazowse fields of Poland, and water from the Oligocene springs is used to create “one of the smoothest and purest vodkas in the world.” That certainly sounds appealing to me.
Sobieski smells and tastes like vodka should. The scent yields a subtle alcohol smell with no noticeable fruity or sweet bouquets. Similarly, the taste over ice doesn’t bring any cheap thrills. There is nothing at all fancy about Sobieski’s flavor. There is really no noticeable infused taste, but the grain gives a subtle yet deep and almost dark flavor to the vodka. The incredible smoothness of the vodka almost entirely hides this taste until the exhale after sipping. There is really no burn at all. Sobieski finishes dry and succinctly. It is fantastic! I have tasted many “ultra-premium” vodkas, but Sobieski ranks among the tops for smoothness and pure enjoyability. This vodka is so smooth and easy to drink on the rocks that it could prove dangerous in the wrong hands. Drinking Sobieski with a little Sprite is equally enjoyable. Although it lacks serious flavor to compliment the soda, it blends almost completely away. If you concentrate, you can still pick up on a little bit of the grain taste, and you will still notice the dry finish. Sobieski is the perfect vodka to slip extra booze in the drink of someone who *gasp* doesn’t like the taste of alcohol. When mixed, this spirit goes from dangerous to deadly. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Naked Elevator Man pounded down a dozen of these drinks. It would be frighteningly easy to do, and it might just make you comfortable with walking around naked in public.
After drinking a good bit of Sobieski, I relished a state of noticeable drunkenness. It was a functioning yet carefree state that was quite pleasurable. It brought with the drunk a little kick of energy that would make this a great beverage to start a big night out on the town. Just be careful not to lose count unless you don’t care to remain clothed. The next morning wasn’t incredibly friendly. I had noticeable cotton mouth, and my head was pounding in a very unkind fashion. Sobieski is a spirit that should be consumed in excess primarily on the weekends. I don’t think I would have enjoyed working too much after a night with this stuff.
You can get your hands on a 750ml bottle of Sobieski for around $12 or so, making it an utter steal. It mixes extremely well, and the smooth drinking experience rivals that of vodka that costs more than double the price. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a bottle anymore now that they have expanded their US market a bit. If you are like me and enjoy the taste of good vodka, buy a couple bottles and simply enjoy every drop neat or over ice. You will be hard-pressed to find any vodka this good anywhere near its price range.
Sipability – 7.5
Mixability – 7.5
Drunkability – 8.0
Hangover-ability – 6.0
Bang for the Buck - 10.0
Overall - 7.5 
Comments
this stuff is great and cheap! awsome combo!
great review maybe this will replace the bernetts in my freezer
I wonder if it would taste better if you licked it off some hot naked babe? Do you think that would make it taste better? =)
That would make ANYTHING taste better!
I know, i’ve tried many things ….and been slapped many times
I just picked up a bottle of Sobieski and haven’t had the chance to open it yet… but the price is right and everyone seems to really like it.
I’ll post about it soon on theboozebuzz.com.
Sobieski is good. You shouldn’t be disappointed. I dig your site, Alex. I’m not sure if I said anything about it yet.
Can’t say enough good things about this stuff. I’m not generally a huge fan of vodka (I have some unpleasant frat memories lol), but this is certainly helping to make me a convert. It has more flavor than stuff like Grey Goose, but in this case it isn’t a bad thing. It has an upfront, clean bite but very little heat and a smooth finish. And you absolutely can’t beat the price – a 1L bottle was on sale at my local liquor store for $9 (yes, nine) dollars. Do yourself a favor and give it a try!
I bought some more Sobieski today, and now, it’s coming in fancy cardboard tubes, like a fine single malt or something. Very impressive, and it can actually back up the bitchin’ packaging. This stuff is great.
This is all over Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a place where vodka is cherished. I got a 750 ml bottle for 10 even at the place by my apartment.
I tried this based on the many reviews on the web. The only other vodka I have tried was Absolute and Three Olives. I did not like Absolute but it got me drunk as hell after only 4oz mixed with orange juice, so did the Three Olives. I tried the same amount of Sobieski under the same conditions as the Absolute and the Three O and I could not get drunk. The first time I drank it I got an almost instant head ache but did not get drunk. Every other time after that all I got was a light, brief “buzz”. The taste wasn’t as bad as the Absolutes but it wasn’t great either in my opinion. Even after 6oz on a empty stomach I could not get drunk with this vodka. It’s the only liquor I have had this experience with. I would not buy it again.
Sobieski is a good rye vodka with some character. It does impart a small burn in the mouth and after swallowing. If you are looking for super smooth vodka (i.e. non offensive to the ladies) this aint it. Try the new vodka called Tenor is you want super smooth. It goes down entirely too easy.
This shit is great. It does have the taste of Rye Vodka (because it is), and its MUCH cheaper then say, Ri, which is a ripoff. It is what vodka should be, a neutral spirit.
A must have vodka for any self-respecting szlachta.
Any Vodka that gives you a hangover isn’t worth drinking no matter how cheap it is. $10 Vodka will crucify you the next morning. You get what you pay for unless of course your foolish enough to spend anything over $40ish a bottle for Vodka.
Stoli may not have the greatest flavor but it is merciful the next day. Try Kettel One, the best for the buck. Christiania if you can find it is dreamy. So is Chopin if you feel like splurging for a great Tater’ Vodka. Triple 8 out of Nantucket, MA is awesome or Tito’s Handmade out of Texas is worth a try too. Stay the fuck away from Smirnoff!!!!!!!!
Got drunk on this vodka. Aint as good as Tito’s, but it does the job. Boy, I love Gwen Stefani.
This a good vodka for a cheap price. I have no complaints about it and it mixes with just about anything. Maybe I’m just used to drinking a lot but this gave me no hangover. I woke up feeling fine ready to drink some more. Its like Drake,the Best I Ever Had, Its the Fucking Best. lol
Did you try Balinoff vodka ?
It is made from wheat not rye. Polish vodkas are made from rye or potato because the climate is not sutable for wheat. Wheat is the key for absence of a hangover. It is not important what country is a birthplace of vodka, What important is who can make the the best vodka for us today. Gun powder was invented in China but the best guns are made in Germany, USA and Italy.
We may dislike French for many reasons but no metter what they make Chocolade,cognac,perfume or vodka they make it close to perfection !
Maybe I’m just used to drinking a lot but this gave me no hangover. I woke up feeling fine ready to drink some more. Its like Drake,the Best I Ever Had, Its the Fucking Best. lol
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