Calisia Okowita Zbożowa 15 YO is a Polish grain spirit, aged for over fifteen years and bottled at 40% ABV. It is produced at facilities belonging to the Kalisz-based AWW group, associated with the family business of Wiesław Wawrzyniak. A deep aroma of long-matured rye, with a pleasant, almost chocolatey sweetness, cherries in chocolate, Nałęczów plum in chocolate, but also tangy notes ranging from orange to green walnut, and in terms of profile the spirit has been compared to Szczecin's Starka.
On the palate, the grain and the long maturation ring out. The profile reveals cereal notes, slightly tangy, slightly peppery, slightly sweet, rich with a spicy cardamom note, while the mouth picks up an astringency, vegetal and horseradish notes, plenty of nasturtium, pepper, and in the background sweet chocolate, peanut butter and peanuts. In taste, the spirit comes close to a good American rye whiskey.
The finish leads towards spices. The aftertaste is delicate yet long, herbal and spicy, with notes of ginger and pepper, but also vanilla and peanut butter, leather and a slight earthiness.
The spirit won the top distinction in its category at a competition in Warsaw. The Calisia grain spirit aged over fifteen years was awarded a Double Gold medal, while the three-year-old version received a silver medal. The 0.5-litre bottle is delivered in a gift carton.