There's something reassuring about a bottle that has followed the same recipe since 1898. Poli Elisir Prugna is one of the liqueurs the Poli family in Schiavon has never touched – because it was already perfect.
Expert's description
Poli Elisir Prugna is an Italian plum liqueur from Poli Distillerie, made from pure plum juice of the Prunus domestica variety, at 40% alcohol.
Poli Distillerie was founded in 1898 by GioBatto Poli in the small town of Schiavon in Veneto, and is today run by the fourth generation – siblings Jacopo, Gianpaolo, Barbara, and Andrea Poli. Liqueurs have been part of the production from the very start, and on the old 1930 letterhead, "Fabbrica liquori" actually appeared before "Distilleria Acquavite".
Elisir Prugna's story starts elsewhere. It was originally called Sliwovitz di Prugna, a dry plum liqueur. But in 1938, the term Sliwovitz became reserved for the dry plum distillates of Eastern Europe, and the Poli family had to find a new name for their own, sweeter version. Elisir Prugna was born – made by letting pure plum juice steep in alcohol, without distilling the fruit itself.
The result is a liqueur with a character somewhere between fruit, almond, and baked goods – a style deeply rooted in the traditions of the Vicenza area.
Taste
The aroma offers ripe plums, roasted almonds, and a hint of amaretto biscuit – warm and inviting, like a tray of cookies fresh from the oven. The taste is sweet without becoming cloying, with a distinct plum character and the characteristic touch of amaretto and bitter almond that Elisir Prugna is known for. The finish is soft and lingering, where almond and ripe fruit follow each other into a round, mellow close.
Specifications
Name: Poli Elisir Prugna
Producer: Poli Distillerie
Region/Country: Veneto, Italy
Type: Fruit liqueur (Plum liqueur)
Main ingredient: Plum juice (Prunus domestica)
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 cl
EAN number: 8014115000185
Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed at room temperature, around 10-15°C, in a tulip-shaped glass, allowing the almond and amaretto aromas to fully unfold. Also pairs well with dark chocolate, vanilla ice cream, or a cheese board with aged cheeses.
Flavour profile
Fruity · Sweet · Almond-like · Round
Did you know?
Poli Distillerie still sticks to the original recipe for Elisir Prugna, and at the distillery the liqueur is used, among other things, in the cocktail "Holy Prugna", where it's mixed with scotch whisky, ice, and a cherry garnish – a small reminder of just how versatile an old Italian family's liqueur recipe can be.
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