🥃 Śliwowica łącka
Polish plum spirit from the commune of Łącko (Lesser Poland), made from Hungarian and semi-Hungarian plums; on Poland's list of traditional products since 2005; EU PGI application in 2026.
Śliwowica łącka is a Polish plum spirit from the commune of Łącko in Lesser Poland, between the Sądecki and Wyspowe Beskids. It is made from plums of the domestic varieties węgierka (Hungarian) and półwęgierka (semi-Hungarian), with no sugar, flavourings or colourings. Strength is from 37.5 to 86% ABV. Since 2005 the drink has been on Poland's list of traditional products.
Status. On 26 March 2026 an application was filed with the EU to register «Śliwowica łącka» as a protected name in the fruit spirit category. It was submitted by the single producer in the commune, which under EU rules can act as a producer group. Until registration is complete, the name has no EU protection.
How it is made. Plums are picked when the skin begins to wrinkle and are not washed, to keep the natural yeasts. The stones are removed, the mash ferments for 2–6 months at a controlled temperature, and then it is distilled at least four times in copper alembics or columns. The distillate rests at least three months in glass or stainless steel; the oak version rests at least two years.
History. According to the application, plum orchards here are known from the 12th century, and the first official distillery in Łącko operated in 1882–1912 under Samuel Grossbard. Before the Second World War production reached about 20,000 litres of 70% spirit per year. After the war private distilling was banned, and families kept the recipes.
Why this matters to you. The word «łącka» on a bottle does not yet guarantee origin the way an EU protected name does, and home samples are not checked for methanol. Genuine Łącko plum spirit, according to the application, contains no sugar or flavourings. WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Legal basis | EU PGI application of 26.03.2026 (PGI-PL-03505); Poland's list of traditional products since 2005 |
|---|---|
| EU category | 9 — fruit spirit |
| Raw material | domestic plums of the węgierka and półwęgierka varieties, without stones |
| Distillation method | at least 4 distillations in copper alembics or columns |
| Minimum maturation | rest from 3 months in glass or stainless steel; oak version — from 2 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 37.5–86% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Śliwowica łącka → then → 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation ← goes through ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Slivovitz (šljivovica), 🥃 Fruit spirit
- Related to
- 📍 Lesser Poland
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Hrvatska stara šljivovica, 🥃 Szatmár plum pálinka (Szatmári Szilvapálinka), 🥃 Țuică, 🥃 Țuică, 🥃 Țuică Zetea de Medieșu Aurit, 🥃 Țuică Zetea de Medieșu Aurit, 🥃 Țuică de Argeș, 🥃 Țuică de Argeș
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Śliwowica łącka is already EU-protected?
No. As of November 2026 this is an application filed on 26 March 2026; protection starts only after registration in the EU.
Which plums are used for Łącko plum spirit?
Plums of the domestic (Prunus domestica) varieties węgierka and półwęgierka, picked fully ripe.
How many times is Śliwowica łącka distilled?
According to the application, at least four times, in traditional copper alembics or columns.
What is the strength of Śliwowica łącka?
From 37.5 to 86% ABV; no sugar, flavourings or colourings are added.
Where is Śliwowica łącka made?
In the commune of Łącko in Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland, where slopes at 350–600 m favour orchards.
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.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🥃 Szatmár plum pálinka (Szatmári Szilvapálinka) — Plum pálinka from between the Tisza and the Szamos: Penyigei and Besztercei varieties, other plums up to 20 %, red plums prohibited.
- 🥃 Țuică — Traditional Romanian fruit spirit made only from fermented plums, with no added sugar, flavourings or extra spirit; two EU protected names: Zetea and Argeș.
Similar
🥃 Țuică · 🥃 Horincă · 🥃 Kajsijevača · 🥃 Jabukovača · 🥃 Dunjevača · 🥃 Fruit marc spirit
⚠️ 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
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Poland): application for registration of the geographical indication «Śliwowica łącka» (Reg. (EU) 2024/1143, specification under Art. 22 of Reg. (EU) 2019/787) — category 9 fruit spirit; plums węgierka and półwęgierka; 37.5–86 %; no sugar, flavourings or colourants; area: commune of Łącko (Małopolskie); fruit not washed, stoned, fermentation 2–6 months, at least four distillations in copper alembics or columns; rest min. 3 months, oak version min. 2 years; on the List of Traditional Products since 2005; distillery of S. Grossbard 1882–1912; c. 20,000 l of 70 % spirit per year before WWII; applicant Manufaktura Maurera sp. z o.o.
- eAmbrosia — EU register of geographical indications, public API: Śliwowica łącka, PGI-PL-03505 (EUGI00000022501), fruit spirit, status «Applied», 26.03.2026 (data of 07.11.2026)
- Radio Kraków: Legalna śliwowica gwarancją jej jakości — farmers of Łącko on legalising farm distilling; Śliwowica łącka on the List of Traditional Products since 2005; counterfeits on the market
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: cat. 9 fruit spirit (min. 37.5 %, distilled below 86 %, methanol max. 1,200 g/hl a.a. for plums)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)