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Monopolowa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monopolowa
TypeVodka
ManufacturerGessler
Country of origin Poland (now produced in Austria)
Introduced1782
Alcohol by volume 40%
Proof (US)80
Related productsList of vodkas

Monopolowa, originally a Polish brand, is a vodka made in Austria by Gessler. It is distilled from potatoes and is marketed under the brand name of J. A. Baczewski.

History

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"Monopolowa" means "under monopoly", in this case referring to a privilege given to the szlachta (nobility) in Poland, giving them exclusive rights to produce and sell vodka in their territories.

Monopolowa was produced by J. A. Baczewski, a distillery founded by Jewish merchant, Lejb Beczeles, from 1782 until World War II.[1] After the war, Gessler, an Austrian company, bought the licence and the rights to production. In 1990, the Starogard Gdański based branch of Polmos, a privatized offshoot of the former state-owned monopoly, started to produce several of J.A. Baczewski's products under license from Altvater Gessler - J.A. Baczewski International (USA) Inc. However, in the late 1990s, that license was terminated and production in Poland was halted.

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ "History in a Vodka Bottle: How Baczewski Ruled European Royal Courts, Invented Marketing & Rose from the Ashes". Culture.pl. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  2. ^ Proof66 Ratings Page for Monopolowa Vodka[dead link]
  3. ^ Tastings.com: Monopolowa Potato Vodka
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