Taste Palette
G a s t r o n o m y
Polugar Classic Rye
Polugar is a historical Russian grain distillate, called “bread wine” since the 16th century. In fact, Polugar is the grandfather of all Russian vodkas. Today Polugar is the most gastronomic Russian strong drink of all.
One of the polugars in the Rodionov & Sons line, Polugar No.2 Garlic & Pepper, first of all suggests borscht. It really will serve as an excellent accompaniment to the classic borscht with garlic donuts, but its possibilities are actually much wider. To prove this fact, Andrey Shmakov, the chef of the Metropol Hotel, has prepared a whole plateau of Russian-style snacks, and each of them emphasizes one or another flavor in Polugar. For those who like softer tastes, the Polugar Classic Rye was added to the appetizers.
Andrey Shmakov explained in detail the choice of all dishes. Pancakes on buckwheat flour with salmon caviar and fat sour cream are ideal for starting a meal — they have a rather neutral, but at the same time very “Russian” taste, and they are perfect for Polugar Classic Rye. They are followed by an almost forgotten dish of the Russian North-West — pickles and honey, which Andrey serves in combs: first you need to suck the honey out of the combs, then eat the cucumber and drink Polugar, then an amazing soft salty-sweet taste forms in the mouth, which so characteristic of Russian northern cuisine. On whitefish stroganina, you can go to the more vigorous Polugar No.2 Garlic & Pepper, or you can stay in the company of Polugar Classic Rye, the dish allows both combinations. A complex composition of raw smoked venison, rye bread with cranberries and lingonberry jam also allows for variety: with Polugar Classic Rye the combination will be softer, with garlic and pepper it will be more expressive. Riga sprat with baked onion and quail egg will definitely suit Polugar No.2 Garlic & Pepper, as well as Andrey's variation on the classic "herring under a fur coat" — lightly salted herring, baked beets and pickled pearl onions.
Polugar No.2 Garlic & Pepper
