ALL-IN ON BOOK REVIEWS: Do you have a (non-fictional or fictional) book related to wine, spirits, or beer that you'd like reviewed? Contact me!

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Spirits: Biserna Muskatova Rakia, Peshterska Otlezhala Rakia, Kehlibar Rakia

August is The Return of Bulgarian Wine Month thanks to BulgarianWine.com, following up last year's original Bulgarian Wine Month!

Biserna Muskatova Rakia, Kehlibar Rakia, Peshterska Otlezhala Rakia

To read about the fascinating history of Bulgarian wine, check out Bulgaria - Part 1: Three-Thousand Years of Wine History. To learn about the grapes, wine regions and Bulgarian wine's place in the market, read Part 2: The Current State of Bulgarian Wine

Rakia is fruit brandy from the Slavic nations in the Balkans, usually served on the rocks in small glasses. There's evidence that it was invented by the Bulgarians in the 11th century, which completely destroys previous guestimates of when alcohol distillation was even discovered! If you'd like to learn about the history of Bulgarian rakia and how it's made, find out in Part 3: Invincibility of Rakia.

Even though I'm a Certified Specialist of Spirits, I'm not all that into spirits. I can tell you about the history, production and laws of the different kinds of spirits but there are things that are out of my realm. Simple example: I know what separates an Islay Scotch from a Speyside Scotch. But would I be able to tell you the difference between two specific Speysides like Glenfiddich 12 year and Glenlivet 12 year? No way. Sure, every once in awhile you'll see me pick up a bottle of liquor and enjoy it. But my CSS was earned solely on intense book study in the name of education. I'm a wine stalker first and foremost, and a simpleton beer enjoyer second.

So I'm not one to really judge a rakia, for kinda that reason but moreso because it's not a widespread thing here in States. Availability and popularity of rakia is nonexistant. But I've got three bottles of Bulgarian rakia in front of me, all grappa from the Muscat grape. I'm gonna give you a rundown of each one and tell you what I think. All three can be purchased on BulgarianWine.com

BISERNA MUSKATOVA RAKIA

Joey Casco CSW/CSS, TheWineStalker.net
PROST!
Biserna is by Domaine Boyar, a winery that I reviewed plenty of wines from last year. It's made in small batches from Muscat, Dimyat, and Ugni-Blanc. It's clear in color. The nose is floral and has chalky candy, like Pez or Smarties or even flavored Tums. In the mouth it's light, clean, and fruity. A combo of citrus and berries in a way that reminds me of Fruity Pebbles. It finishes fruity and with alcohol burn in the mouth but none in the throat or belly. I dig it.

Right now, at the time of this review, it's marked down from $30 to $25. Buy it here: http://www.wineglobe.com/vwm-mamodo50-so.html

PESHTERSKA OTLEZHALA RAKIA

This is a premium grappa matured in oak. That's all I really know about it. It's apple juice in color. The nose has peanut shell, vanilla and dried orange. It's got a bigger body than the Biserna. Super smooth in mouthfeel and it leaves a silky coating on your teeth. For flavor it's actually pretty similar to whiskey (I said similar, not exactly) so this is the rakia for whiskey drinkers out of the three. It leaves a little fire in your belly, like whiskey, so acid reflux beware.

Right now, at the time of this review, it'll run ya $28. Buy it here: http://www.wineglobe.com/peshterska-special-rakia.html

KEHLIBAR RAKIA

Kehlibar Rakia
IS THIS FROM THE
NECRONOMICON???
Made in the Karnobat region from Muscat, Dimyat, Pearl and Pamid. It's aged in 230-liter oak barrels for a year. It comes with a little note wrapped up like a scroll attached to its neck. I have no idea what it says right now but I may be able to translate it after a few more drinks of this stuff.

It's a light amber in color. This one is more bright and acidic and herbal than the others. I swear I might say it was a mellow gin if I was blindfolded and had to guess just from the smell. It's citrusy and piney and botanical in aroma. It's none of those things on the palate. Full bodied, very smooth and well rounded in mouthfeel with flavors of vanilla, brown sugar, and applesauce.

It's clearly better quality rakia than the other two. Right now, at the time of this review, it goes for the price of $33 for a bottle and $90 for three bottles. Buy it here: http://www.wineglobe.com/jvs-blg100-so.html

AND MY FAVORITE IS...

Maybe it's my Americaness but I personally liked Biserna the best. It's light and fruity, very enjoyable on the rocks, and I could see myself having a glass on a regular basis. I think the other two are an acquired taste. That's not to say I didn't like them but they have a certain quality to them that's just... strange to me. There is a characteristic I can't describe that's just different about these grape brandies from other grape brandies. I need to do more "research". But, like I said, the Kehlibar clearly had the best quality.

I love trying new things so it was a great experience to have Bulgarian rakia. These rakias influenced me to pick up a bottle of Serbian plum rakia recently and I friggin loved it! If you want to try something different and get some Bulgarian rakia, check them out at BulgarianWine.com.
Newer Posts Older Posts Home

5 comments:

  1. So do I understand correctly then that Slivowitz is a kind of Rakia, and not something separate?

    Love reading about relatively obscure stuff like this. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Slivovitz is plum rakia, and some of it is barrel aged and tastes great. From Bulgaria look for Troyanska Slivovitz and buy the oldest, from Serbia - Manastirka Slivovitz. We bombed the distillery in the 80's since someone thought it is a rocket fuel factory. Ask Bill Clinton's advisors

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey Joey, thank you for the second annual Bulgarian wine month on the Wine Stalker. Nazdrave, brother I've never met! I will share to you my preference now, and you nailed it anyhow. Biserna is an honest, more macho and clean rakia than the others. Peshterska Matured is indeed more whiskey or cognac like, the same with Kehlibar, which translates to Amber. The real fun is to observe the distilling process in a small Bulgarian village. Peasant bring their "jibre" fermenting mass of fruits to the village alambic still and on their time do their own recipe. Distilling in Bulgaria is still legal for home use.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looking for a loan urgently? Would you like to settle your bills and Purchase property (Investment loan)/ Building loan? I can guarantee you 2/4 hours loan approval. We are a world class Investment company offering all kinds of financial services with flexible repayment terms and a timely closing
    schedule for detailed
    information.
    Thank you.
    Contact Us abdullahibrahimlender@gmail.com
    whatspp Number +918929490461
    Mr Abdullah

    ReplyDelete

Labels

*SPONSORED* ABriefHistoryOf Abruzzo Agiorgitiko Aglianico Airen Albarino Aleatico Alentejo Alexander Valley Alicante Bouschet Alsace Apothic Argentina Armagnac Arroyo Grande Arroyo Seco audio article Australia Austria Baco Barbera Barrossa Valley Batman Beaujolais beer Best Of biodynamic blend blog Bogati Bonarda book Bordeaux bourbon box wine Brachetto brandy Bulgaria Burgundy Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Cahors Caino Blanco California Campania Canada Canaiolo. cans Cape Cod Captain America Carignan Cariñena Carmenere Catalonia Cava Central Coast certification Chablis Chalk Hill Champagne Chardonnay cheese Chenin Blanc Chianti Chile China cider Cinsault Clarksburg cocktails Cognac Colombard Columbia Valley comics Cotes-du-Rhone Counoise Croatia CSW Dane Cellars DC dessert wine Distill Wars Dona Blanco Douro Dry Creek Dunnigan Hills Edna Valley Falanghina February Felix Hart Fer Servadou Fiano fiction Finger Lakes Folle Blanche formulas France Franciacorta Frankovka Frappato Furmint Galicia Galilee Gamay Garganega Gascony Germany Gewurtztraminer gin Glera Godello Graciano greco di tufo Greece Grenache Grenache Blanc Grillo Gros Manseng Gruner Veltliner GSM guest blog Heroes history horror how to Hungary interview Israel Italy Japan Jerez Kansas kosher Lambrusco Languedoc-Roussillon Left Coast Leyda Valley Lisboa Livermore Lodi Loire Loureira love letter Macon Madeira Madiran Malbec Malvasia Marcillac marijuana Marlborough Marsanne Marselan Marvel Massachusetts Matchbook Mavrud Mazuelo McLaren Vale mead Melnik Mencia Mendocino Mendoza Meritage Merlot Mexico Michigan mixology Monbazillac Monstant Montecucco Montepulciano Monterey Montery Moscato Mosel Mourvédre Muscadelle Muscat mythology Napa Navarra Nebbiolo Nero d'Avola New York New Zealand news non-alcoholic nonfiction Norello Mascalese North Coast Oakville Oregon organic original meme pairings Palestine Pecorino Pedro Ximenez Perricone Petit Verdot Petite Sirah Petite Verdot photo gallery phylloxera Picpoul Piedmont Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris/Grigio Pinot Meunier Pinot Noir Pinotage Pliny podcast Port Portugal Press Release Primitivo product Prosecco Provence quickie quote rakia recipe retail problems Retsina review Rheingau Rhone Rias Baixas Ribera del Duero Riesling Rioja Rondinella rose Roussanne Rubin Rueda rum Russian River Sagrantino Sake Salta Sandanski Misket Sandeanski Misket Sangiovese Sangria santa clara Santa Lucia Higlands Sauvignon Blanc science scotch Sekt Semillon Seyval Blanc Sherry Sicily Somontano Sonoma South Africa South Australia Spain spark Sparkling Spider-Man spirits stemware storage study sulfites Superman sustainable SWE Syrah Tannat Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Temecula Tempranillo Tequila Texas thc The Flash Tinta Amarela Tinta Caiada Torrontes Touriga Nacional Traminer Trebbiano Trincadeira Turkey Tuscany Ugni Blanc Umbria USA Valdiguié Valiant Valpolicella vegan Veneto Verdejo Verdicchio Vermentino Vermont Vermouth Vernacca Vidal Blanc video Vinho Verde Viognier Virginia Viura vodka Walla Walla Washington State whiskey White zinfandel Wildstorm Willamette wine Wine Bloggers Off-Topic wine club Wine Pick Wolverine Wonder Woman Zinfandel Zweigelt