Stara Sokolova Unaged Slivovitz 750ML

Stara Sokolova Unaged Slivovitz 750ML is a clear, unaged Serbian plum brandy bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml format. Produced by the Bogdanović family distillery — an operation spanning eight generations since 1897 — this expression strips away barrel influence entirely, delivering the raw, unvarnished character of traditional Trnovaca plums through double copper-pot distillation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Western Serbia  |  Unaged (White Slivovitz)  |  Distillery: Bogdanović Family Distillery

Production & Heritage

The Bogdanović family distillery sits in the village of Kostojevići near Bajina Bašta in western Serbia, a region long regarded as prime plum-growing territory. The unaged expression undergoes double distillation in traditional copper pot stills, a method that preserves the aromatic intensity of the Trnovaca plum — an autochthonous Serbian cultivar prized for its concentrated fruit character. Unlike the distillery's aged variants, this bottling skips any time in wood, capturing the distillate at its freshest and most transparent. The fruit is sourced exclusively from local producers who cultivate both heritage and newer high-quality plum cultivars, a sourcing philosophy the family has maintained across eight generations.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh, ripe plum dominates the nose immediately, followed by delicate orchard blossom and a faint herbal undertone. The absence of oak allows the fruit to project without competition.

Taste: The entry is bright and overtly fruity, with juicy plum skin leading the way. At mid-palate, a subtle grassy, almost green quality emerges, adding dimension to the sweetness of the fruit. The texture is clean and light-bodied, leaning toward refreshment rather than weight.

Finish: Crisp and relatively quick, closing with a clean plum note and a gentle herbal dryness. There is no residual heat or harshness — just a lively snap that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Stara Sokolova Unaged

In Serbia, unaged slivovitz is traditionally served chilled or at cool room temperature in small glasses, sipped slowly alongside food. This is the purest way to experience the plum character. A Slivovitz Sour — built like a classic sour with lemon juice and simple syrup — highlights the brandy's bright acidity. A Plum Collins lengthens the spirit with soda water and fresh lemon, making it an excellent warm-weather drink. For something bolder, try it in a Balkan Old Fashioned, substituting the slivovitz for whiskey with a barspoon of honey syrup and Angostura bitters — the fresh plum character plays well against the bittering agents.

Best For

• Introducing friends to Eastern European fruit brandy traditions
• Pairing with a Serbian-style mezze or charcuterie spread
• Building fruit-forward cocktails that go beyond standard grape brandy
• Gifting someone with Balkan heritage or an interest in artisanal spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stara Sokolova Unaged taste like? It tastes like bright, fresh plum with a slight grassy undertone and a clean, crisp finish — the absence of barrel aging means the plum fruit character is front and center without oak influence.

How does Stara Sokolova Unaged compare to R. Jelínek Slivovitz? R. Jelínek, produced in the Czech Republic, tends toward a slightly more polished, commercially styled profile, while Stara Sokolova Unaged leans into a more rustic, intensely fruity expression rooted in small-batch Serbian production. Both are 40% ABV plum brandies, but the Bogdanović family's use of local autochthonous Trnovaca plums gives Stara Sokolova a distinct regional character.

Is Stara Sokolova Unaged good for cocktails? Yes — the bright, clean plum profile and 40% ABV make it a versatile base for sours, Collins variations, and spirit-forward drinks where fresh fruit character is desired.

Where is Stara Sokolova Unaged made? It is produced at the Bogdanović family distillery in the village of Kostojevići near Bajina Bašta in western Serbia, a mountainous region with a long tradition of plum cultivation and rakija distillation.

What foods pair well with Stara Sokolova Unaged? Cured meats like pršut or kulen complement the plum sweetness with savory, spiced fat. Aged sheep's milk cheese such as Serbian Sir provides a salty counterpoint. Fresh stone fruit or plum compote echoes the brandy's core flavor. Grilled lamb with herbs bridges the spirit's herbal undertones, and dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage works as a dessert pairing.

What sizes does Stara Sokolova Unaged come in? The standard retail format is the 750ml bottle.

Is Stara Sokolova Unaged worth the price? It positions as an accessible, entry-level expression within the Stara Sokolova range, making it a strong value for anyone exploring authentic Serbian slivovitz without the premium attached to aged variants.

Why Stara Sokolova Unaged?

What sets this bottling apart is its uncompromising transparency — with no barrel aging to mask or modify the distillate, the quality of the base fruit and the distiller's skill are fully exposed. The Bogdanović family's eight-generation track record and exclusive use of locally grown autochthonous plum varieties give the spirit a provenance that most commercially available slivovitz cannot match. For drinkers accustomed to aged spirits, this unaged expression offers a genuinely different sensory experience: pure plum, clean copper-pot distillation, and a direct connection to one of Serbia's oldest rakija-making traditions.