Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year Slivovitz 750ML

Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year Slivovitz 750ML is a seven-year oak-aged Serbian plum brandy bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml format. Distilled by the Bogdanovic family estate in western Serbia, this expression has earned recognition at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London (2020) and five gold medals at the Novi Sad Agricultural Fair, establishing it among the most decorated slivovitz bottlings available internationally.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Western Serbia  |  7 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Bogdanovic Family Estate

Production & Heritage

The Bogdanovic family has produced slivovitz from the village of Kostojevići near Bajina Bašta, situated along the watershed of the Drina river in western Serbia. Their recipe has been passed through seven generations, and the LUX 7 Year expression is double-distilled in copper pot stills using the traditional trnovača plum variety native to the region. After distillation, the spirit matures for seven years in seasoned oak barrels — longer than many standard slivovitz bottlings — resulting in a richer integration of fruit and wood character. The LUX designation indicates this bottling was specially developed for international export markets.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Stewed plums arrive first, followed by layers of toasted oak and vanilla cream. A subtle warmth carries dried fruit sweetness beneath the wood influence.

Taste: The entry is soft with dark, concentrated plum that transitions into caramel and baking spice at mid-palate. A delicate almond note emerges toward the peak, adding complexity against the fruit-forward backbone. The seven years of oak aging bring a harmonious balance that keeps the plum character front and center without excessive tannin.

Finish: Long, silky, and elegant with lingering plum and gentle oak tannins. The caramel sweetness fades slowly, leaving a clean fruit impression.

How to Drink Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year

This slivovitz is best appreciated neat at room temperature, where the full spectrum of aged plum and oak character can develop in the glass. A single ice cube or a few drops of water will soften the oak influence and amplify the fruit notes for those who prefer a lighter presentation.

In cocktails, the seven-year oak aging gives it enough structure for mixed drinks: try it in a Slivovitz Sour, where the dark plum and caramel notes play beautifully against fresh lemon and egg white; a Plum Old Fashioned, substituting for bourbon with a demerara sugar cube and Angostura bitters to highlight the brandy's natural sweetness; or a Balkan Sidecar, pairing it with Cointreau and lemon juice for a fruit-forward riff on the classic.

Best For

• Gifting someone with Eastern European heritage or a passion for artisanal spirits
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Introducing brandy enthusiasts to premium aged slivovitz
• Building a world spirits collection that goes beyond whisky and cognac

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year taste like? It delivers concentrated dark plum, caramel, and baking spice with an underlying almond note, all framed by seven years of oak maturation. The finish is notably long and silky with a clean fruit character.

How does Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year compare to Maraska Slivovitz 10 Year? Maraska Slivovitz 10 Year carries a longer maturation and tends toward a drier, more tannic oak profile from its additional aging. Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year leans more fruit-forward with a softer, silkier texture and more pronounced plum sweetness at its younger age statement.

Is Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — the seven-year oak aging smooths the spirit considerably, making it an approachable neat pour even for drinkers new to slivovitz. Its 40% ABV is gentle enough for extended sipping without overwhelming heat.

Where is Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year made? It is produced by the Bogdanovic family estate in the village of Kostojevići near Bajina Bašta in western Serbia, along the watershed of the Drina river. The region has a long tradition of plum cultivation and slivovitz production.

What foods pair well with Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year? Dark chocolate truffles mirror the caramel and plum sweetness; aged hard cheeses like Kashkaval contrast the fruit notes with savory fat; walnut-studded pastries such as baklava complement the almond undertones; grilled stone fruit with honey echoes the brandy's core character; and cured meats like pršut provide a salty counterpoint to the oak-aged sweetness.

What sizes does Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year come in? The standard available size is 750ml.

Is Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium aged slivovitz, sitting above unaged or three-year expressions but below ultra-premium 12-year and older bottlings in the Stara Sokolova range. For a seven-year age statement with multiple international awards, it represents strong value within the aged plum brandy category.

Why Stara Sokolova LUX 7 Year?

Few slivovitz producers can claim both a seven-generation family lineage and international competition recognition at the level the Bogdanovic estate has achieved. The combination of traditional trnovača plums, copper pot double distillation, and a full seven years in seasoned oak creates a brandy with genuine complexity — not just fruit sweetness but layered oak, spice, and nut character that rewards attention. Its five gold medals at the Novi Sad Fair and recognition at the IWSC in London place it among the most critically validated slivovitz bottlings on the export market. For anyone exploring aged plum brandy beyond entry-level expressions, this is a serious benchmark.