Burgas 63 Special Selection 500ML is a 40% ABV Bulgarian grape brandy (rakia) made from hand-selected Muscat Otonnel and Hamburg Misket grapes. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2013 Sélections Mondiales des Spiritueux in Canada, along with a Silver Medal (Best in Class) at the 2010 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London — credentials that place it among the most decorated Bulgarian brandies available internationally.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Pomorie, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria | Aged 3–4 Years in Small Oak Barrels | Distillery: Black Sea GoldProduction & HeritageBlack Sea Gold, based in the coastal town of Pomorie within Bulgaria's historic Thracian Valley wine region, produces the Burgas 63 range using traditional copper pot distillation in small batches. The Special Selection expression begins with a rigorous curation of two aromatic grape varieties — Muscat Otonnel and Hamburg Misket — that are immediately distilled after harvest to capture and concentrate their delicate floral scent. The resulting spirit matures for three to four years in small 100-liter oak barrels, a format that accelerates wood contact and contributes to the brandy's notably velvety texture. The "Special Selection" designation reflects tighter distillate cuts and stricter grape selection than the standard Burgas 63 bottling, yielding heightened aromatic clarity.Tasting NotesAroma: Fresh, vibrant orchard fruit lifts from the glass first, followed by unmistakable floral Muscat character and subtle herbal undertones. The nose is immediately inviting — fragrant without being perfumed, with a purity that reflects the quality of the base grape material.Taste: The entry is smooth and fruit-forward, with concentrated grape intensity arriving on a velvety mid-palate. As the spirit opens up, balanced herbal notes emerge alongside a faint sweetness from the oak aging, maintaining remarkable clarity throughout. There is no harshness — the small-batch copper pot distillation keeps everything refined and focused.Finish: Medium-long, with a gentle warmth that fades into clean, fresh grape and light spice nuances. The lingering floral dimension is what distinguishes the finish from many grape-based spirits, leaving a memorably aromatic close.How to Drink Burgas 63 Special SelectionNeat at room temperature is the traditional Bulgarian approach and arguably the best way to appreciate the Muscat aromatics; a tulip-shaped glass will concentrate the floral nose. Served slightly chilled or over a single large ice cube, the brandy becomes an excellent warm-weather sipper. For cocktails, the Special Selection brings genuine grape character to three classics: a Sidecar, where the Muscat florals add dimension beyond standard brandy; a Brandy Sour, where the fruit purity balances citrus without competing; and a Stinger, where the herbal notes in the spirit harmonize naturally with crème de menthe.Best For Introducing friends to authentic Bulgarian rakia with an internationally awarded expression After-dinner sipping alongside dried fruit and dark chocolate Gifting to a spirits enthusiast who appreciates grape-based distillates like grappa or pisco Building a world spirits collection that spans beyond whisky and cognac Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Burgas 63 Special Selection taste like? It delivers concentrated grape fruit intensity with a velvety, smooth texture, layered with floral Muscat character, subtle herbal notes, and a clean finish touched by light spice and gentle warmth.How does Burgas 63 Special Selection compare to Italian grappa? Both are grape-based distillates, but Burgas 63 is distilled from whole grape must rather than pomace, resulting in a noticeably smoother, more fruit-forward profile with less of the fiery bite common in many young grappas. The aromatic Muscat Otonnel and Hamburg Misket grapes also give it a distinctly floral dimension that most grappas lack.Is Burgas 63 Special Selection good for sipping neat? Yes — its smooth texture and aromatic complexity make it well suited to neat sipping, particularly at room temperature in a tulip glass that concentrates the floral nose.Where is Burgas 63 Special Selection made? It is produced by Black Sea Gold in Pomorie, a town on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast within the broader Thracian Valley, one of the oldest grape-growing regions in the world.What foods pair well with Burgas 63 Special Selection? Dried apricots and figs complement the concentrated fruit notes; aged hard cheeses like kashkaval echo the subtle nuttiness from oak aging; dark chocolate highlights the gentle spice on the finish; grilled lamb seasoned with fresh herbs mirrors the brandy's herbal undertones; and baklava provides a traditional regional pairing whose honey sweetness balances the spirit's dryness.What sizes does Burgas 63 Special Selection come in? The expression is available in a 500ml bottle, which is the standard format for this particular SKU.Is Burgas 63 Special Selection worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium grape brandy that punches well above its price tier, particularly given its multiple international medals and small-batch copper pot distillation — qualities typically associated with more expensive European grape spirits.Why Burgas 63 Special Selection?What sets this expression apart in the broader grape brandy category is the combination of two aromatic Muscat varieties distilled from whole must — not pomace — in small copper pot batches, then matured in compact 100-liter oak barrels for three to four years. That production approach prioritizes fragrance and purity over volume, and the results have been validated internationally: Gold at the 2013 Sélections Mondiales des Spiritueux, Silver (Best in Class) at the 2010 IWSC, Silver medals at the 2011 and 2012 International Spirits Award in Germany, and Gold at the 2014 Vinaria International Contest. For drinkers accustomed to cognac or grappa, Burgas 63 Special Selection provides a genuinely different experience — one rooted in Bulgarian rakia tradition but finished with a polish and aromatic clarity that stands up against grape spirits from any region.
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