In Zadar on the Dalmatian coast, distilling fruit has been a craft since 1821. Sljivovica is not a modern invention but a spirit that has followed the Balkans through generations, long before anyone called it craft.
Expert's Description
Sljivovica Maraska is a Plum Brandy from Croatia, bottled at 40%.
Maraska traces its roots back to 1821 in the port city of Zadar and is today regarded as one of Croatia's most respected distilleries. The Sljivovica is made from ripe plums from the Adriatic Hinterlands, one of the world's most acclaimed plum-growing regions, where mineral-rich soil and a warm climate give the fruit an intense sweetness.
Production follows the classic method for slivovitz: the fruit comes from trees at least 20 years old, the mash ferments for three months in large 2,000-gallon tanks, and the spirit is double-distilled for purity and depth. After distillation it is aged for at least two years in specially treated 500-gallon oak casks.
The result is a harmonious, traditional plum brandy that carries both the history of the Balkans and a clear sense of artisanal care.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Clean and fruity, with distinct notes of ripe plum and a lightly spiced undertone.
Palate
Full and natural, with layers of sweet fruit and a mild warmth.
Finish
Rounded and long, with a final trace of plum.
Specifications
Name: Sljivovica Maraska
Distillery: Maraska
Country: Croatia
Type: Plum Brandy
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak, minimum 2 years
EAN no.: 3850158301002
Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed neat as a digestif, or with hearty cheese, nuts and dried fruit
Flavour Profile
Ripe plum · Spice · Sweetness · Oak
Did You Know?
The slivovitz tradition in the Zadar area dates back to 1779, when local farmers supplied the town's distilleries with the local marasca fruit – a trading relationship that later gave its name to the entire Maraska house.