Monopolowa
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Monopolowa is a vodka made in Austria originated from Poland. It is distilled from potatoes. It scored a 94 at the 2003 International Review of Spirits, the highest score, tying with Stolichnaya, from Russia. It is produced under the brand of and with the recipes of the pre-war Polish spirits producer J. A. Baczewski.
"Monopolowa" is a Polish language generic adjective referring to state monopoly. The original company was founded in Bromberg (today, Bydgoszcz in Poland). In 1873, the company, which supplied the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire, was reorganized in Jägerndorf (Krnov), Silesia, and its brand name “Altvater” gained world renown.
After the collapse of Austria-Hungary after World War I, licenses were granted to branches in Vienna, Budapest, Czernowitz, Bielitz (Bielsko) and Agram (Zagreb). After the Second World War, most of the branches in Eastern Europe were nationalized and became state operated. The Vienna branch continued to produce various products, including Monopolowa.
