How Król I is reshaping the vodka landscape
A father-and-son team are rewriting vodka’s story, setting a precedent for a terroir-driven spirit, while balancing tradition and innovation.
Years ago, vodka seemed trapped in the safe lane – neutral, predictable, its identity reduced to the background spirit or wacky flavour launches. But today, the category is recalibrating.
In the UK, consumers have shown a growing appetite for expressions that bring ingredients, origin and craft to the forefront.
Meanwhile, over in the US, vodka continues to lead spirits revenues, with bartenders and consumers alike demanding more authenticity, and less artifice, in their glasses.
Industry data underscores a broader shift. Global vodka is expected to grow by value, increasing from US$78.2 billion in 2023 to US$79.4bn in 2024, and potentially to US$82.6bn by the end of 2025 (Euromonitor International data).
The premium and super-premium segments are powering this expansion (with the super-premium vodka market value forecast predicted to grow by 3% by 2027, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis).
Place of origin
Enter Król I, a Polish vodka focused on sharing the story of its place of origin. Hailing from western Poland, the Król I team works closely with organic farmers – local artisans who are passionate about growing the best possible crops while protecting their land. The brand is committed to creating exceptional vodka, promoting rural regenerative farming and adopting additional sustainable practices during production. After all, the locally grown rye is the backbone of Król I – and the water used to make the vodka is also key to this award-winning spirit. Distilled five times, Król I boasts a pure, authentic flavour profile.
As such, it is no big surprise that Król I Luxury Organic Vodka took both Master and Taste Master medals in The Vodka Masters 2025 blind-tasting competition, an annual event in The Global Spirits Masters Competitions calendar. Judges praised the spirit for its “citrus-forward, clean nose with subtle flinty, limestone notes”, calling it “engaging yet understated”. They also praised the vodka’s “creamy palate layered with honey, fudge, herbs and citrus, and a soft, luxurious finish that lingers with finesse”.
In an age fatigued by neon-bright flavours and sugar-laden infusions, Król I feels like an invitation to return to realness. It’s a reminder that vodka is not neutral, and how true skill and craftsmanship can in fact yield traditional, vibrant, flavourful vodkas.
Król I stands for both heritage and modernity, and is a shining example of where vodka can go next.
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