Tag Archives: Taste Brandy

Legacy Lives On With “Stomaklija”

Each nation on this planet has that one thing that ties them with their past and bridges to the future, its legacy. Tradition, culture, land, are all a part of the legacy. When it comes to culture, food and drinks are as important as language, music or dance. They are written on a pallet of every person coming from one region. That’s why everyone likes their national cuisine the most.

Alcohol beverages are another common thing to almost every culture in the world. Social events or interactions of any kind are always marked with a glass of alcohol. French have wine, Italians have grappa, Irish have whiskey, and on the Balkans, there’s slivovitz.

One of the most loved brands in Serbia is definitely Prokupac. Even though distillery was out of business for some time, they managed to pull through and proceed with making two types of slivovitz which left legacy for generations to come, “Stomaklija” (*Stomach Cure) and “Manastirka”(*Monastery Brandy). There was no home in the ex-Yu that didn’t have at least one of these two.

The reason – respect for the rich taste and quality of the product.

Manastirka is made by the old monastery recipe. Only the best fruit are being used, and the preparation process remained the same for centuries. Every liter of Manastirka must rest for some time in the barrels until its color is golden, and smell enchanting.

Stomaklija is totally different story, and it really helps with stomach aches. It’s recommended to consume one chilled shoot of it before lunch to maintain good digestion. The secret is in herbs that are added to the bottle of sweet slivovitz.

Thanks to the internet which has connected the entire globe we can now buy both of these brandies in the UK as well. It’s always good to have a bottle of high-quality liquor at home, you never know when you’ll need a stirrup cup of pure heaven.

Elderberry – Cure and a Liquor

Staying healthy should always be one of the priorities of every modern man/woman. Over the last two decades countless programs, diets, etc. were developed in order to help us live better and longer. But, what seems to be forgotten is that simple, old-fashioned principle of how to stay in shape and to look for a better tomorrow. Also, most of this modern method are not meant for pleasure, which takes all the fun from it.

My grandfather always had a glass of wine or a shot of brandy each day, and he lived way longer than I think I’ll live. The alcohol doesn’t have to be bad necessarily. The secret is in the way is consumed. Also, it can be used as a medication as well. What came to some genius’s mind is to combine one of the most healthier plants with alcohol and make a brandy out of it, elderberry brandy!

Elderberry‘s use is versatile. First of all, it cleanses the blood cells and respiratory system. Secondly, it’s helping the organism to stay well-protected from any outside attacks. Juice made out of elderberries is quite famous and on top of that, very tasty. When I heard about the brandy made from them, I was simply delighted.

At first, it doesn’t look anything special. Just a clear liquor, something like vodka. But once you pop the cork you can feel the delight. The smell is the same as from juice or syrup. The texture, on the other hand, is not, since it’s transparent, and not that dense. But, what is very interesting that even with alcohol it still contains all the healthy features of elderberry. It takes around 30 pounds of the ripe elderberry to produce one liter of the brandy, but it’s worth it. The taste is very rich, both in terms of alcohol and the aroma. It runs smooth to your stomach and you can feel refreshment once it’s down.

The production of this brandy is still not that massive, but you can buy it in the UK if you know where. I highly suggest it to the healthy-oriented person who knows how to drink. It’s not that hard, so it’s great for the ladies as well.

Vinjak – A Different Kind of Drink

If you ever visit or meet someone from the ex-Yugoslavia, and ask about Vinjak, you’ll get a straight answer that this is something more than just a drink. It’s a spirit with a tradition and long history of consummation in this region. The story behind, it’s also quite interesting. If you looking to buy something similar to konjac, but with a brandy-like aroma in the UK, this is the drink for you.

When it was first introduced, this drink was served only on the king’s court and his ships. Its makers produced it from a grape brandy with a bit of twist and a stronger distillate. After the World War II was through, the company Rubin has been funded, and the mass production of this liquor has begun. The original recipe was a mixture of French konjac and traditional slivovitz. This combination brought something new for all liquor lovers.

Today Vinjak is still one of the favorite brands among the people at Balkans. It comes in three versions – standard, 5 years old and 10 years old, or as it’s called XO Vinjak. Each kind has a caramel aroma with a strong vanilla aftertaste. Don’t be fooled, even though the taste/aroma components are sweet to the pallet, this drink is very strong. Thanks to this caramelized twist it flows smooth both through throat and stomach. It’s served as aperitif mostly. The difference between these three is in their color and the richness of taste. Each of them is maturing in an oak barrel, so that’s why they all have that amber shade.

Vinjak is really something different when it comes to strong liquors. Each drink can be defined in or placed in a certain category, but with Vinjak this is not possible. That’s why its makers gave it a name which is also a category for itself. There are other versions, which are not produced by Rubin, but the original is original. If you have a chance, order it and try it. Your pallet will be thankful for a shot of Vinjak for sure.

Barique Quince Brandy Dukat Lux

Quince as a fruit is very special. First of all, it’s not spread as well as other. Secondly, when it gives fruits it’s not even close to apples or pears. And last, but not least, quince does not contain that much juice. So when you want to make a brandy out of it, it’s a process, plus you can’t expect quantity.

When Dukat distillery started operating, most people were skeptic about the quality of their spirit, but they’ve proven what they have to offer over and over again. Lux is their premium class of quince brandy, and before its unique bottle and packing, it’s a sophisticated brandy.

The secret of this small distillery is in their focus on this specific kind of fruit. Each drop of the brandy is produced our of fruit from their orchard, prepared and kept their way for almost thirty years now. Barique in the name says it all, the barrels are not typical. Instead, the barrels that are keeping the brandy are made of two different kinds of wood. While maturing different brandies are being blended. This gives this brandy unique scent and taste.

Dukat Lux will stun you after the first look. Strong golden color and dense texture is a great ice-breaker. When opened the smell of quince fills the air immediately. Stream of this brandy is perfect, enchanting almost. With the first sip you’ll fell that strong fruit note with a bit of zest. Taste is sweet, but still very strong. Aftertaste leaves that wooden aroma with some flowery notes.

If you are looking to buy brandy in the UK with class and quality, this is the one you should be looking for. It can be served both as an aperitif and a digestive, so any situation calls for Dukat Lux.

Badel Antique Pelinkovac

For all of you who are not familiar with the type of brandy named “pelinkovac” a short introduction. It’s a bitter brandy made out of healing herbs with a dark amber color and a strong taste. If you are a fan of Jaggermmaister, trying pelinkovac should be on top of your list, because it’s way better.

Badel is one of the pioneers of pelinkovac making on the Balkans, and still one of the leaders in its production. Antique series of this drink is quite rare and made by the original recipe of its inventor Franjo Pokorny. It’s made of 20 different herbs and packed in a vintage bottle with a worn label.

This pelinkovac is serious in so many ways it’s almost impossible to describe it. The design of the package is stunning for sure, but it’s texture, smell and taste are pure, like heaven.

Each Antique spends at least seven years inside of a barrel. All until it soaks the darkness of its insides. The color of this pelinkovac is almost black but still see-through. Once the cork is off intoxicant aroma comes out. The smell of herbs is so hard it will enchant you instantly. It reminds a bit of some old-school medicine, or elixir actually.

Once your nose gets used to the smell your pallet will be confused. It runs so smooth to your stomach, leaving so many different tastes behind. This is why you should drink it slowly, so you can sense a note of every herb that makes its essence.

In the end, your stomach will appreciate it, since pelinkovac is also a stomach cure. It’s highly recommended with digestion issues, but one shot a day won’t hurt maintenance of your stomach flora.

Even though this version of pelinkovac is very limited it’s possible to buy this brandy in the UK. It takes some effort, but it’s possible. Treat yourself to a high-quality drink with a tradition and a story. Antique is the salve for senses, body, and spirit altogether.

Ognjena

As mentioned before this brandy is colorless and clear which is typical for brandies that stayed sealed for only one year.
The family business is always shrouded by strong traditional values and certain principles every member obeys. In Serbia, there are few families that has devoted their lives to brandy making as one of traditional business of this nation. One of those families is Tomasevic from Prijepolje whose brandies won numerous awards on both national and international hard liquor competitions. In this review, I’ll be talking about their plum brandy which is the most famous among their selection.
Tomasevic distillery didn’t want to go too deep into liquor experimentation like some other producers and stayed inside of the boundaries their ancestors set a long time ago. Also, most of their brandies are not kept inside the barrels for too long so they are colorless and quite strong.
When it comes to their plum brandy it is made from ripe plums which are picked in Central Serbia and then fermented and distilled in their facilities. Ognjega Plum Brandy is well-known for its strong taste and high alcohol percentage. With this said if you can’t stand this type of drink walk away from it if on the other hand you appreciate work like this check what else you can expect from Ognjena.
As mentioned before this brandy is colorless and clear which is typical for brandies that stayed sealed for only one year. This short time inside of the barrel brings some other things besides clear transparent liquor. First of all smell is much harder because this time is not enough for the fermenting odor to go away or alcohol to settle. I liked this because you can feel that ripe plum smell at its fullest and you are warned about what you are about to drink.
Taste is, as expected, very hard, alcohol hits you right away, but it won’t make your face squeeze like from vodka or tequila. It won’t hurt your palate either. What you’ll feel is a nice plum zest, which is also the result of the short-maturing process. Also, you’ll fill sweetness of the fruit in the aftertaste. I don’t recommend having more than two or three of this at the time because you’ll get seriously drunk. It’s great aperitif or addition to good cheese, olives, and fresh vegetables.

Ognjena

Tomasevic distillery didn’t want to go too deep into liquor experimentation like some other producers and stayed inside of the boundaries their ancestors set a long time ago.
The family business is always shrouded by strong traditional values and certain principles every member obeys. In Serbia, there are few families that has devoted their lives to brandy making as one of traditional business of this nation. One of those families is Tomasevic from Prijepolje whose brandies won numerous awards on both national and international hard liquor competitions. In this review, I’ll be talking about their plum brandy which is the most famous among their selection.
Tomasevic distillery didn’t want to go too deep into liquor experimentation like some other producers and stayed inside of the boundaries their ancestors set a long time ago. Also, most of their brandies are not kept inside the barrels for too long so they are colorless and quite strong.
When it comes to their plum brandy it is made from ripe plums which are picked in Central Serbia and then fermented and distilled in their facilities. Ognjega Plum Brandy is well-known for its strong taste and high alcohol percentage. With this said if you can’t stand this type of drink walk away from it if on the other hand you appreciate work like this check what else you can expect from Ognjena.
As mentioned before this brandy is colorless and clear which is typical for brandies that stayed sealed for only one year. This short time inside of the barrel brings some other things besides clear transparent liquor. First of all smell is much harder because this time is not enough for the fermenting odor to go away or alcohol to settle. I liked this because you can feel that ripe plum smell at its fullest and you are warned about what you are about to drink.
Taste is, as expected, very hard, alcohol hits you right away, but it won’t make your face squeeze like from vodka or tequila. It won’t hurt your palate either. What you’ll feel is a nice plum zest, which is also the result of the short-maturing process. Also, you’ll fill sweetness of the fruit in the aftertaste. I don’t recommend having more than two or three of this at the time because you’ll get seriously drunk. It’s great aperitif or addition to good cheese, olives, and fresh vegetables.

Martyr Slivovitz

The producer of Martyr Slivovitz is a company called Ethno Spirit.
It’s well known that having slivovitz in different occasions is one of the traditions for people across Balkans, but not many people know how they get their names. The usual way of naming one is by the name of its producer. But when it comes to name Martyr it’s usually name for slivovitz that is very harsh, with the high level of alcohol and pretty hard to digest. I’m a bit confused why did the maker of this one named it this way because the only thing matching is high alcohol percentage. Other than that this slivovitz is just perfect. Even tho it’s strong it’s very drinkable and pleasant.
The producer of Martyr Slivovitz is a company called Ethno Spirit which makes various traditional foods and beverages by the traditional recipes. When it comes to this slivovitz they say it is made the same way as it was made in the seventh century.
The packaging is very interesting. The bottle is wrapped in brown paper and tied in rope while the bottle itself is black with a simple label on it. It reminded me on something I saw in westerns. Cork is also quite interesting and you can feel more of this slivovitz smell from it. First of all comes the strong alcohol odor mixed with wood-like aroma. Afterwards the plum kicks in, and strongly to be honest.
The color of Martyr is usual goldish, sun-like. Oak barrel did its trick when it comes to color for sure. Now, the best part of Martyr, taste. With exactly 45 percent of alcohol, this slivovitz is very mild and smooth. Dry taste of wood is easily mixed with sweet plum juice and your palate will appreciate this very much. Martyr glides slowly down to your stomach making you crave for more. Probably one of the easiest slivovitz to drink, at least in my case. I strongly recommend it for a long family events or special occasions with your close friends.

Manastirska Slivovitz Prokupac Review

The color of this brandy is very promising, light brown, see-through and dense.

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Before I start talking about this brandy, I’ll just inform you that this slivovitz is not a joke and it’s made for serious players. It has a long tradition and the producer was one of the most famous exporters in the ex-Yugoslavia. But, when it comes to the product itself in my opinion it’s not doing well in last few years. Most of older people say that Manastirka is not what it used to be in their youth. But let me tell you this it’s still worth trying and checking it.
My first impression of Prokupac’s Manastirka that it definitely needs a redesign of the label and bottle because it’s the same like when it was first introduced to the public in the sixties. The color of this brandy is very promising, light brown, see-through and dense. This comes from one year spent in wooden barrel before getting to stores. Once opened you can smell the rich and strong aroma that announces the taste.
Manastirka is made from one of the most aromatic plums, called Pozegaca, but once you taste it you won’t feel anything sweet. As I’ve said in the beginning, this is a drink made for serious players, so if you can’t stand the strong taste of alcohol and a bit bitter aftertaste in your mouth pass this one. For someone who appreciates the punch of liquor, like I do, this is a true pleasure. It’s not something you can compare to other famous drinks like whiskey or tequila. It’s strong, but the taste puts it on a whole new level.
For the price, you’ll pay you’ll get a real kicker that will last for quite some time since you can’t drink the whole bottle of it just like that. I would put this one in the middle class for its color and harsh taste, but I was disappointed how weak the taste of plum was. Definitely something you have to try and you’re your respect to its tradition, but probably not something that will become your favorite poison.

Gorda Slivovitz

The color of Gorda is similar to American bourbon which comes from the oak barrel for sure.
People who know about slivovitz as plum brandy always think of it as a strong hard liquor that will burn your insides right away, something for experienced men and women and something you don’t drink in big amounts. Well, Gorda is here to change the perspective you might have about this type of drink. What separates it from other brands and types of slivovitz is its mild taste and very gentle touch to your palate.
Every bottle of Gorda is filled with brandy that was sealed inside of the oak barrel for at least seven years. The bottle itself is very interesting and I would say it would maybe fit better to cognac or whiskey, but that is the catch. Gorda, as I’ve said before, is not like other, traditional brandies coming from Serbia. It is made for a totally different group of people and for a new, uprising modern market.
The color of Gorda is similar to American bourbon which comes from the oak barrel for sure. Once opened you can see how dense it is and I liked this a lot, especially in combination with its rich aroma. The smell is funny, there is no alcohol smell at all. Usually, people don’t smell slivovitz that much because of that aggressive alcohol fragrance. Gorda on other hand smells of citrus fruit, cinnamon and ripe plums.
When it comes to taste it’s so far away from what I’ve used to with this kind of spirits. Just like with smell you can sense citrus fruits with the addition of hazelnut and some berries, but I’m not sure which. If somebody served this to me in a bar I wouldn’t believe them this is slivovitz. But it’s quite simple, Gorda’s producers are going after new market and people that are just getting into slivovitz drinking or maybe even cocktail bars. I’m sure this product would blend great with some hip mixture in some night club, which is not something people used to.
The usual consumer probably won’t appreciate it that much since it’s not that good for a regular aperitif and snacks. Gorda is more something you’ll have as a refreshment drink or as a digestive. But, don’t be fooled, even tho it tastes quite mild it can get you very drunk, so don’t push it too hard with this one.