Jelinek Slivovitz (Plum) Eau de vie 700ml

R. Jelinek Distilleries has been making plum brandy in the Vizovice region of Bohemia in the Czech Republic since 1894, following the original recipe of founder Rudolf Jelinek. The distillery has grown into the largest producer of fruit distillates in Europe while still adhering closely to that founding formula, and its slivovitz is produced under kosher supervision, a detail that speaks to the strict, traditional methods still used today. Slivovitz itself carries UNESCO recognition as part of the region's cultural heritage.

This slivovitz is distilled from fully matured plums using a triple-distillation process that smooths the spirit and concentrates its fruit and nut character. The plums are crushed with their skins and pits still in the mix to maximize aromatic complexity, then fermented before distillation. The brandy is aged for five years, a period that rounds out the raw spirit and develops the fine almond note the Jelinek recipe is known for, resulting in a clear, pale gold plum brandy bottled at full 100 proof.

Expressive plum sweetness leads on the palate, framed by a distinctive almond nuance and a warming, spice-tinged finish. The aromatics are fruity and layered, best appreciated neat at room temperature, though the brandy also holds its own mixed into coffee or fizzy mixers.