Rakija: A Living Tradition

A Spirit That Ages Like Fine Wine

While in Western-European tradition wood barrel ageing has come to define the practice of ageing and flavouring spirits, in the Macedonian tradition ageing is defined as simply the time passed since the spirit was distilled. Because they are produced from premium wine and fully ripened fruits, our rakijas don’t depend on barrel-ageing to obtain their character. They’re fully formed as they come off the still and need only a few short months to settle into a profile that is suitable for enjoyment. Contact with wood, when deemed appropriate, is kept only to the minimum necessary to round out a desired flavour or aroma profile that compliments or emphasizes a spirit’s given characteristic. And, like the fine wine they are made of, our rakijas continue to age in glass bottles. Meaning, a bottle of Petrovski Family Spirits Co. purchased today, will be worth more in a year, or five or ten.

A Legacy That Begins With the Love of Wine

Even before the art of distillation was discovered, Macedonia was already in a centuries-long love affair with wine. And wine is the base of the traditional Macedonian-style or Makedonska Lozova Rakija. Every fall, once the wine is pressed, begins the season of distillation. Grandfathers, fathers and uncles pass on the closely guarded family formula for the world’s finest spirit to their grandsons, sons and nephews, ensuring a centuries-long tradition lives on for another generation.

The Difference Between Rakija and Brandy

Rakija is a subcategory of brandy. It is a spirit distilled from fermented grapes (wine) or any other fruit, like plum, pear or apricot. French-style brandy is strictly defined with regard to barrel ageing, and by definition, permits colorants and flavour and aromatic additives. This gives brandy its deep, rich colours and sweet, almost liqueur-like flavours, giving it the reputation of mostly a dessert drink. In contrast, Macedonian-style rakija is spontaneous and can be many things to many people. In the Petrovski Family tradition, it is a spirit distilled from premium quality mature wine that can be aged with or without wood, but never coloured, flavoured or aromatized with artificial additives. Our rakijas tend to be smooth, pleasant to the taste and smell, yet crisp and easy to drink. This makes them suitable for any occasion and more comparable to whiskey, scotch or bourbon than to a French-style brandy.