The roaring Bull
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The Poles like their vodka. No, that's not right. Let's try again. The Poles LOVE their vodka? Hmmm. No, we're still not there. Vodka is as Polish as Lancers on horseback. It's as Polish as dried sausage and smoked cheese. It's as Polish as the Poles are. And bison herb Vodka is Poland.

Zubrowka, pronounced Zu - Braf - Ka is a Polish type of vodka that's been in production since the 16th century. What may surprise many, is that Poland is the first country in which Vodka was ever mentioned. 1405. A cyrillic text in 1533 indicates that Poland introduced Vodka to Russia.

Vodka is typically thought to be made from Potato. While some are, they tend to be the absolute bottom of the market and are as rough as a badger's dangly bits. The best vodkas are made from grains, specifically rye.

The glorious taste of not very much
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Zubrowka Bison Herb Vodka is made by the distributor Polmos Bialystok. While most vodkas taste of almost nothing, making them ideal chameleons to use in mixers and cocktails (and very popular with youngsters who don't like the taste of spirits!) Poles have for a long time been making flavoured vodka.

Bison herb grass vodka is precisely what it sounds like. Premium vodka flavoured by a tincture (alcoholic extract) of Hierochloe odorata, or Buffalo grass. In case this sounds particularly unappealing, some of the other common names for it are sweet grass, holy grass, manna grass, Mary's grass, seneca grass, or vanilla grass. Sounds better? Good.

Although purely decorative, an additional single blade of grass is included within the bottle. Rather than a clear fluid, this vodka has a slightly yellowed appearance. The taste, for me is superior to most clear vodkas. Being slightly sweet takes the edge off what is normally quite a sour experience. It is considered fairly normal to drink vodka heavily chilled, but this one if drunk at room temperature allows you to savor the taste and smell in a way that would be muffled otherwise.

There is an unmistakably herbal taste, not overpowering, but something that reminds you a little of shredded sage and vanilla. A tall glass of chilled apple juice, some crushed mint and a dash or two of Bison herb vodka makes for a most excellent summer drink. It also compliments ice tea. Drunk neat, there is a brief kick to it that fades quite rapidly.

The bottle it comes in is very nice. The smirnoff bottles have a mass produced feel to them like many a store's brand-own vodka. While not ostentatious, like Russian standard, the high-shouldered bottle has clean lines which helps set itself apart. The label has - d'uh - a bison on it, horns and all.

In summary, if you like Vodka, but want something a little different, go for it. If you have Polish ancestry, you should already be drinking it. At around £18 a bottle, it's not much of a gamble.

EDIT: Taken off the cyrillic lettering, as it was being corrupted.