Burgas 63 Special Selection 375ML

Burgas 63 Special Selection 375ML is a copper pot distilled Bulgarian grape brandy bottled at 40% ABV in a 375ml format. This small-batch rakia earned a Gold medal at the Sélections Mondiales des Spiritueux in 2013, affirming its standing among internationally recognized grape distillates.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Pomorie, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria  |  Style: Small-Batch Grape Brandy (Rakia)  |  Distillery: Black Sea Gold

Production & Heritage

Black Sea Gold, based in the coastal town of Pomorie near Bulgaria's Thracian Valley wine region, produces this expression exclusively from two aromatic grape varieties: Muscat Otonnel and Hamburg Misket. The grapes are hand-selected before undergoing copper pot distillation in small batches, a method that preserves the delicate floral and fruit character inherent to these varietals. The "Special Selection" designation reflects a more rigorous curation of base material and distillate cuts compared to the standard Burgas 63 range, yielding a spirit with heightened aromatic clarity and smoother texture.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh orchard fruit leads — ripe pear and white peach — followed by floral undertones of honeysuckle and muscat blossom. The aromatic profile is vibrant and primary, signaling the quality of the source grapes.

Taste: The entry is soft and velvety, quickly expanding into rich, concentrated fruit intensity at mid-palate. Subtle herbal notes emerge alongside clean grape sweetness, with remarkable purity throughout. The mouthfeel stays smooth without any harsh edges.

Finish: A gentle, lingering warmth carries fresh grape and light spice nuances. The finish is clean and measured, fading gradually without bitterness.

How to Drink Burgas 63

The traditional Bulgarian approach — chilled or at room temperature in a small tulip glass — remains the best way to appreciate the aromatic complexity of this rakia. A single ice cube can open the floral notes without diluting the fruit intensity. For cocktails, try it in a Grape Sour, where its muscat character adds floral depth against fresh citrus; a Rakia Spritz, combining the brandy with sparkling water and a twist of lemon for a refreshing long drink; or a Mediterranean Collins, where the orchard-fruit profile pairs naturally with elderflower liqueur and soda.

Best For

• Introducing friends to Bulgarian rakia and Balkan spirit traditions
• An after-dinner digestif following a Mediterranean or Eastern European meal
• Gifting someone who collects distinctive grape-based spirits
• Exploring grape brandies beyond the French and Italian canon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Burgas 63 Special Selection taste like? It delivers rich, pure grape fruit intensity with a velvety texture, underscored by floral muscat character and subtle herbal notes that finish clean with gentle warmth and light spice.

How does Burgas 63 Special Selection compare to Italian grappa? Both are grape-based distillates, but Burgas 63 is distilled from whole grape must rather than pomace, resulting in a smoother, more fruit-forward profile with less of the fiery bite that characterizes many young grappas. The use of aromatic Muscat Otonnel and Hamburg Misket grapes gives it a distinctly floral dimension uncommon in most grappa.

Is Burgas 63 Special Selection good for sipping neat? Yes — its smooth, 40% ABV profile and aromatic grape character make it well suited to neat sipping, which is the traditional way rakia is consumed in Bulgaria.

Where is Burgas 63 Special Selection made? It is produced by Black Sea Gold in Pomorie, Bulgaria, a town on the Black Sea coast adjacent to the Thracian Valley, one of Bulgaria's most historic grape-growing regions.

What foods pair well with Burgas 63 Special Selection? Shopska salad (tomatoes, cucumber, and white cheese) highlights the spirit's fresh fruit notes; grilled lamb benefits from the herbal undertones; aged kashkaval cheese mirrors its richness; baklava or honey-soaked pastries complement the muscat sweetness; and cured meats like lukanka provide a savory counterpoint.

What sizes does Burgas 63 Special Selection come in? This expression is available in a 375ml bottle, which serves as a convenient format for sampling or gifting.

Is Burgas 63 Special Selection worth the price? It positions as a premium small-batch rakia within the Bulgarian brandy category, and its multiple international medals — including Gold at the Sélections Mondiales des Spiritueux — support strong value relative to other artisanal grape spirits at a similar tier.

Why Burgas 63 Special Selection?

What separates this expression is the combination of two aromatic grape varieties — Muscat Otonnel and Hamburg Misket — copper pot distilled in small batches, a production approach that prioritizes fragrance and purity over volume. The international recognition backs this up: Gold medals at both the Sélections Mondiales des Spiritueux (2013) and Vinaria (2014), plus Silver medals at the International Spirits Challenge (2010) and International Spirits & Wine Competition (2011, 2012). For drinkers accustomed to grappa, pisco, or French eau-de-vie, Burgas 63 Special Selection represents a compelling entry point into Bulgaria's centuries-old rakia tradition — one that holds its own against better-known grape distillates from Western Europe and South America.