Yebiga Kleka Slivovitz 700ML

Yebiga Kleka Slivovitz 750ML is a juniper-infused Serbian plum brandy bottled at 41% ABV in a 750ml format. The word "kleka" translates to juniper in Serbian, distinguishing this expression from standard slivovitz by layering resinous, herbal character over the traditional plum distillate base.

Quick Facts: ABV: 41%  |  Origin: Serbia  |  Style: Juniper-Infused Plum Brandy (Slivovitz)  |  Brand: Yebiga

Production & Heritage

Slivovitz is the national spirit of Serbia, deeply embedded in Balkan culture for centuries. The base spirit is distilled from fermented plums — the dominant fruit crop across Serbia's central valleys — then infused or redistilled with juniper berries to create the "kleka" variation. This style draws on a long folk tradition of flavoring rakija with local botanicals, producing a brandy that bridges the gap between a classic fruit eau-de-vie and a more aromatic, almost gin-adjacent spirit. The result retains the stone-fruit identity of slivovitz while adding an evergreen complexity not found in the standard expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe plum and dried prune lead, followed by a wave of fresh juniper and pine resin. Subtle earthy undertones emerge with time in the glass, alongside a faint hint of white pepper.

Taste: The entry is fruit-forward with sweet plum and a slight honeyed quality. At mid-palate, the juniper asserts itself, introducing a dry, herbaceous bitterness that balances the fruit sweetness. The interplay between stone fruit and evergreen botanicals creates a layered, aromatic profile with moderate warmth at 41% ABV.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering juniper resin and a gentle plum-skin dryness. A whisper of black pepper and woody spice closes out the experience cleanly.

How to Drink Kleka Slivovitz

In Serbia, slivovitz is traditionally served neat at room temperature, often as a welcoming gesture before a meal — and the Kleka expression rewards this approach, as gentle warming in the hand opens up the juniper aromatics. For mixed drinks, the juniper backbone makes it surprisingly versatile:

• Slivovitz Sour: The plum sweetness and juniper bite hold up beautifully against fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup.
• Balkan Negroni: Substitute Kleka for gin; the juniper provides the expected botanical anchor while the plum adds unexpected depth.
• Hot Toddy: Warm with honey, lemon, and a cinnamon stick — the resinous juniper and stone fruit shine in a heated format during colder months.

Best For

• Introducing adventurous drinkers to Balkan spirits traditions
• Gifting someone who appreciates botanical-forward or craft spirits
• After-dinner sipping alongside dried fruits and dark chocolate
• Expanding a home bar with an uncommon category outside whiskey, gin, and vodka

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kleka Slivovitz taste like? It leads with ripe plum sweetness, then transitions into a dry, resinous juniper character with hints of pine, pepper, and earthy undertones. The balance between fruit and botanical makes it more complex than a standard plum brandy.

How does Kleka Slivovitz compare to standard Yebiga Slivovitz? The standard Yebiga Slivovitz is a pure plum distillate focused entirely on stone-fruit character, while the Kleka version introduces juniper berries for an additional layer of herbal, piney complexity that pushes it closer in aromatic profile to a dry botanical spirit.

Is Kleka Slivovitz good for sipping neat? Yes — at 41% ABV it sits at an approachable strength for neat sipping, and the juniper-plum interplay reveals new nuances as it opens in the glass over several minutes.

Where is Kleka Slivovitz made? Kleka Slivovitz is produced in Serbia, a country with one of the oldest and most prolific plum brandy traditions in Europe. Serbia is the world's second-largest plum producer, and slivovitz is recognized as the country's national spirit.

What foods pair well with Kleka Slivovitz? Cured meats like pršut or bresaola complement the juniper aromatics. Aged hard cheeses such as Manchego or Pecorino match its dry, savory edge. Dark chocolate intensifies the plum sweetness. Roasted walnuts echo the earthy undertones. Grilled lamb seasoned with rosemary mirrors the herbal, resinous profile.

What sizes does Kleka Slivovitz come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Kleka Slivovitz worth the price? Kleka Slivovitz positions as an accessible entry point into premium Balkan fruit brandy, offering a distinctive juniper twist that sets it apart from mass-market slivovitz at a similar price tier.

Why Kleka Slivovitz?

What sets the Kleka apart is its marriage of two deeply rooted Serbian traditions — plum distillation and botanical infusion — in a single bottle. While the global spirits market has embraced flavored vodkas and botanical gins, juniper-infused slivovitz remains a genuinely uncommon category that few drinkers outside the Balkans have encountered. At 41% ABV, it strikes a balance between sipping accessibility and enough proof to stand up in cocktails where you might otherwise reach for gin. For anyone looking to move beyond familiar categories, this expression delivers authentic regional character with enough complexity to reward repeated exploration.