🥃 Slavonska šljivovica
Croatian plum spirit from Slavonia, Baranja and western Srem: local plum varieties, one distillation in a copper still of up to 150 litres, 8–18 months in Slavonian oak; an EU-protected name, 37.5–42.5% ABV.
Slavonska šljivovica (Slavonian plum brandy) is an EU-protected name for a plum spirit from the east of Croatia: Slavonia, Baranja and western Srem. It is made by one distillation of fermented plums of local and long-established varieties and aged in barrels of Slavonian oak. The colour is golden yellow, 'like a ducat'. The strength ranges from 37.5 to 42.5% ABV.
Plums. The main variety is Bistrica, the best-known variety for rakija, but local Motičanka, Trnovača, Torgulja, Bjelica, Pintara, Valpovka and others also appear; the share of each variety is not set. According to the technical file, the variety gives the recognisable aroma, and the 'white' plums, together with wild fermentation and a simple distillation, give it its special character.
How it is made. Ripe plums without stones ferment on wild yeasts for one to four weeks, traditionally in wooden vats of 0.5–2 tonnes. The mash is distilled once in a copper still of up to 150 litres over an open flame, for about three hours. The first fraction, the 'bašica', is discarded, the 'heart' is collected, and the tails, the 'patoka', are redistilled separately.
Oak and tradition. The distillate is aged for 8–18 months in casks of Slavonian pedunculate oak. Every household once had a plum orchard, and in the 19th century the brandy was distilled in stills with parts made of fired clay, later of copper. A poster advertising Slavonska šljivovica from 1929–1940 is kept by the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Zagreb.
Why this matters to you. The name guarantees Slavonian plums, one distillation and oak ageing, but it is a strong spirit of up to 42.5% ABV, and methanol is allowed up to 1,200 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | category 9 — fruit spirit; Croatian protected name (PGI-HR-01961) |
|---|---|
| Raw material | Bistrica plums and local Slavonian varieties (Prunus domestica, P. insititia) |
| Distillation method | one distillation in a copper still of up to 150 litres over an open flame, about three hours |
| Minimum maturation | 8–18 months |
| Cask type | casks of Slavonian pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 37.5–42.5% ABV; methanol up to 1,200 g per hl of pure alcohol |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Slavonska šljivovica → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Distillation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Slivovitz (šljivovica)
- Related to
- 📍 Slavonia
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Rakia, 🥃 Hrvatska stara šljivovica, 🥃 Békés plum pálinka (Békési Szilvapálinka), 🥃 Sliwovitz del Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 🥃 Sliwovitz del Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 🥃 Sliwovitz trentino, 🥃 Sliwovitz trentino
Frequently asked questions
Is Slavonska šljivovica distilled twice?
No. The technical file requires one distillation in a simple copper still of up to 150 litres; only the tails, the 'patoka', are redistilled separately.
Which plums go into Slavonska šljivovica?
Bistrica and local varieties: Motičanka, Trnovača, Torgulja, Bjelica, Pintara, Valpovka and others; the share of each is not set.
How long is it aged?
For 8 to 18 months in casks of Slavonian pedunculate oak, which gives it its golden colour.
What is the strength of Slavonska šljivovica?
From 37.5 to 42.5% ABV.
How does it differ from Hrvatska stara šljivovica?
Slavonska is a regional name with its own varieties, one distillation and 8–18 months of ageing; 'stara' šljivovica is a name for all of Croatia, aged for at least 12 months.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Rakia — Balkan name for fruit and grape distillates — plum, quince, apricot, pomace; strength from 37.5% vol.
- 🥃 Békés plum pálinka (Békési Szilvapálinka) — Plum pálinka from the Körös valley around Békés: at least half the plums are the red Vörös szilva, with wood ageing of 3 months or more.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Sliwovitz del Friuli-Venezia Giulia · 🥃 Țuică de Argeș · 🥃 Sliwovitz trentino · 🥃 Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser · 🥃 Fränkisches Zwetschgenwasser · 🥃 Țuică Zetea de Medieșu Aurit
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- eAmbrosia: tehnička dokumentacija 'Slavonska šljivovica', PGI-HR-01961 (05.04.2017), category 9 fruit spirit — Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem; Bistrica and autochthonous varieties (Motičanka, Trnovača, Torgulja, Bjelica, Pintara, Valpovka and others), no set share; fermentation 1–4 weeks with epiphytic microflora in wooden vats of 0.5–2 t; single distillation in copper stills up to 150 l over open flame, about three hours, heads ('bašica') discarded, tails ('patoka') redistilled; Slavonian oak (Quercus robur) casks 8–18 months; 37.5–42.5 % vol.; methanol ≤ 1 200 g/hl a.a., volatile substances ≥ 200 g/hl, HCN ≤ 7 g/hl; poster 1929–1940 (Museum of Arts and Crafts, Zagreb)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Croatia — Slavonska šljivovica, category 9 fruit spirit
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I: category 9 — fruit spirit (min. 37.5 % vol., distilled < 86 % vol., methanol for plums up to 1 200 g/hl a.a.)
- Commission Recommendation 2010/133/EU of 2 March 2010 on the prevention and reduction of ethyl carbamate contamination in stone fruit spirits and stone fruit marc spirits
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)