Distilleries

Slivovitz or plum brandy is traditional drink of central and south-eastern Europe. Serbia is biggest producer of plums in region and its tradition in distilling is centuries old. Plum has very special place in Serbian tradition. Plum yards are grown in the sunniest portions of farms and each tree gets the best treatment it can get. Almost every farmer is producing his own slivovitz, has special little secrets for getting the drink the best it can be. Good slivovitz is pride of each farmer and they compete between themselves who has the best slivovitz.

Stara Sokolova is based on a centuries old tradition of the Bogdanović family from the village of Kostojevići in western Serbia. The name Stara Sokolova, meaning “Old Falcon’s”, is derived from the historical name of the watershed of the river Drina in Western Serbia, so named after the medieval fort town of Soko (Falcon). Western parts of Serbia is does not have much industry. Climate is perfect for growing plums while environment is clean unpolluted.

Over many generations, the Bogdanović family has honed and refined age-old techniques for producing slivovitz. It is produced from traditional sorts of plums from their plum yards and from local farmers which have the best taste and aroma. These sorts of plums give drink its striking aroma and pleasant taste that stays with drinkers for a long time after the sip. Its taste is a lot like aged grape brandy with specific fruity scent that comes from plums. Plums are distilled in traditional copper stills. Good slivovitz has to be aged in wooden casks. Different types of wood are used but the best ones are made of oak. Stara Sokolova is aged for 7 years in seasoned oak casks made from trees in eastern Serbia close to Romanian and Bulgarian border. Ageing gives Stara Sokolova matured and mellow taste with hints of vanilla which forms from love between plum brandy and oak wood.

The modern production of Stara Sokolova is now in its third generation in the Bogdanović family, and in the last two decades has been the recipient of numerous awards in Serbia as well as abroad as the awareness and popularity of rakija has become more widespread outside of South Eastern Europe. Stara Sokolova is considered best slivovitz in Serbia and in the world and it is leader in sales in premium segment. Other delicious spirits from their Stara Sokolova distillery are grape, quince, Williams pear brandy, etc. Around 70% of production is exporting all over the world from Canada and United States, through Western, Central and South-eastern Europe to Russia and Australia.

The secret of “Stara Sokolova” quality is in many small secrets, the most beautiful of which is the love that grows between the brandy and oak barrel. Like other forms of love, this love is enriching. The longer the love lasts, the better the brandy becomes.

Traditionally slivovitz is consumed as an aperitif to prepare your mouth and stomach for a good meal. Good aged slivovitz like Stara Sokolova is often enjoyed after the meal. Consume it slightly chilled at 16 -18C.

Medals and Awards

It won many awards for its quality in Serbia and all over the world. Last three years it was awarded title of "Belgrade winner" for best Rakija in retail in Serbia. In autumn of 2014, Canadian magazine "Cullinarie" awarded Stara Sokolova "Judge's selection" badge for its quality and in 2013 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America awarded it gold medal for quality at its convention in Las Vegas among hundreds of other drinks.