Chopin Rye Vodka
Chopin Rye Vodka is an 80-proof (40% ABV), 750mL single-ingredient vodka made from 100% golden rye grown in the Podlasie countryside of eastern Poland. Distilled four times and filtered five times at the Dorda family's Krzesk distillery, it is the second of Chopin's three single-ingredient releases (launched 2011) — spicier and more structured than the wheat, smoother than the potato. Rye, water, and yeast are the only ingredients, blended with purified artesian well water. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL (US bottling; 700mL in EU/UK markets)
- Grain: 100% golden rye — single-ingredient vodka
- Process: 4x distilled in the original four-column copper still; 5x filtered
- Origin: Krzesk, Podlasie, eastern Poland — rye grown within ~25 miles of the distillery
- Recognition: Gold Medal, International Review of Spirits; 92 points (Exceptional), Beverage Testing Institute
The Spicy Middle Child
Of the three Chopins, the rye is the diplomat: it has the wheat's elegance and the potato's presence, with a peppery rye signature all its own. The golden rye comes from the Podlasie countryside around Krzesk, distilled four times in the distillery's original four-column copper still — the same still that made the 1992 potato famous — then filtered five times and cut with artesian well water. The ingredient list fits on a postage stamp: rye, water, yeast. In a vodka market full of flavored novelty, the rye is the argument for doing one thing perfectly.
Tasting Notes
Clean with a spicy edge: cracked pepper, caraway, and lemon zest over fresh grain. The palate is smooth yet structured — rye spice, citrus, and a hint of honey — finishing crisp and warming with lingering pepper.
How to Enjoy
Excellent in a vodka martini where the rye spice plays against vermouth, or in a Moscow Mule. Serve chilled and neat alongside charcuterie, smoked fish, or spicy Asian dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chopin Rye 750mL or 700mL?
The US bottling is 750mL; EU/UK markets get 700mL. Same vodka, different bottle size by market.
What awards has it won?
Gold Medal at the International Review of Spirits and 92 points (Exceptional) from the Beverage Testing Institute.
How does rye vodka differ from wheat or potato?
Rye brings a distinctive peppery spice — more structured than wheat, less creamy than potato.
Where is the rye grown?
In the Podlasie countryside of eastern Poland, within about 25 miles of the Krzesk distillery.
See the full Chopin trio and our vodka collection. For rye-spice lovers, this is the bottle — order Chopin Rye online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.