Yebiga Slivovitz 700ML is a Serbian plum brandy (slivovitz) bottled at 40% ABV in a 700ml bottle, double-distilled from hand-picked indigenous plums in central Serbia. This expression earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2022 SIP Awards and was named Best Plum Brandy at the 2022 ASCOT Awards, establishing it as one of the most decorated slivovitz bottlings available internationally. Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Kraljevo, Central Serbia | Style: Unaged Plum Brandy (Slivovitz) | Distillery: Yebiga (Farm Distillery, Kraljevo) Production & Heritage Yebiga operates as a small farm distillery in the Kraljevo region of central Serbia, producing slivovitz in the traditional rural style with no industrial shortcuts. Two local plum varieties — Čačanska rodna and Čačanska lepotica, both indigenous to central Serbia — are hand-picked at peak ripeness, then crushed and pitted before undergoing spontaneous fermentation with wild yeast in 10-ton fermenters over a 10-to-12-day cycle. The fermented mash is then double-distilled in a wood-fired, 500-liter copper pot still, with no sugar added at any stage. The distillery uses water drawn directly from the local mountain source, and the entire process is certified kosher — a reflection of the zero-additive philosophy rather than a marketing choice. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with rich floral aromas layered over stewed plum and dried apricot. Secondary notes of pine, leafy greenery, and a gentle herbaceous quality emerge as the spirit breathes. Taste: The entry is rounded and gentle, developing across the mid-palate with fresh stone fruit, muscat grape, and subtle dried herb and dill notes. At its peak, the palate reveals grape must and a clean fruitiness that reflects the quality of the source plums without any cloying sweetness. Finish: The finish is long and pleasantly dry, with lingering fresh plum and a faint floral echo. The texture remains clean throughout, characteristic of careful double copper-pot distillation. How to Drink Yebiga Slivovitz Traditionally, slivovitz is served neat at room temperature or very slightly chilled — this is the best way to appreciate the plum character and floral complexity. A small splash of cold water can open up the dried fruit aromatics further. For cocktails, Yebiga works well in a Slivovitz Sour, where the dry plum notes balance lemon juice and simple syrup beautifully; in a Plum Old Fashioned, substituting whiskey for slivovitz to create a fruit-forward riff with Angostura bitters; and in a Palinka Spritz, lengthened with sparkling water and a twist of lemon peel for a refreshing aperitif serve. Best For Introducing a spirits enthusiast to artisanal Eastern European brandy After-dinner digestif alongside seasonal stone fruit desserts Gifting someone who values small-batch, farm-to-bottle production Building a home bar with distinctive, award-winning craft spirits Frequently Asked Questions What does Yebiga Slivovitz taste like? Yebiga Slivovitz delivers a clean, floral profile dominated by fresh and stewed plum, dried apricot, and subtle dried herbs, finishing long and dry with no residual sweetness. At 40% ABV, it drinks smoothly with a gentle warmth. How does Yebiga Slivovitz compare to Central European slivovitz? Yebiga is often described as reminiscent of slivovitz from Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic but with a more distinctive floral nose and a drier, fruit-forward palate. Its use of two indigenous Serbian plum cultivars and wood-fired copper pot distillation gives it a character that differs from more industrially produced Central European versions. Is Yebiga Slivovitz good for sipping neat? Yes — neat service is the traditional and recommended way to drink slivovitz, and Yebiga's clean distillation and 40% ABV make it approachable and balanced without ice or mixers. Where is Yebiga Slivovitz made? Yebiga Slivovitz is produced at a farm distillery in the Kraljevo region of central Serbia, where the plums are grown, harvested, fermented, and distilled on-site using mountain spring water. What foods pair well with Yebiga Slivovitz? Aged hard cheeses like Manchego or Parmesan complement the dry fruit notes; dark chocolate highlights the floral aromatics; grilled stone fruit such as peaches or plums echo the spirit's core character; cured meats like prosciutto work well as a pre-dinner pairing; and walnut-based pastries like baklava mirror the brandy's nutty, herbal undertones. What sizes does Yebiga Slivovitz come in? The standard bottling is 700ml, which is the most widely available format. Is Yebiga Slivovitz worth the price? Yebiga positions as a premium artisanal slivovitz, and its multiple international awards — including a 2022 SIP Awards Double Gold and 2022 ASCOT Best Plum Brandy — validate its place above mass-produced plum brandies in terms of quality and craftsmanship. Why Yebiga Slivovitz? Few plum brandies available internationally can claim the combination of genuine farm-to-bottle production, indigenous plum varieties, spontaneous wild yeast fermentation, and wood-fired copper pot distillation that defines Yebiga. The spirit was recognized as Brandy of the Year at the 2024 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards and New Orleans Tasting Competition, adding to its earlier Double Gold at the 2022 SIP Awards and Best Plum Brandy at the 2022 ASCOT Awards. With zero sugar added and kosher certification reflecting its commitment to purity, this is slivovitz made with uncompromising adherence to Serbian rural tradition. For anyone seeking an authentic expression of what Serbian plum brandy can achieve at its best, Yebiga stands as a benchmark in the category.
