10 rakia brands worth trying
The best Bulgarian rakia - what to pick in a supermarket? What is the price of a good rakia in a store? We present you 10 excellent rakia brands that you can choose for a gift or recommend to friends.
Bulgarians consider rakia one of their main national products – it’s a strong alcoholic drink obtained in the process of fruit fermentation and subsequent distillation. Rakia is thought to be the best cure for winter depression, an important attribute of a festive table, an effective medicine and, of course, a wonderful souvenir from Bulgaria.
The best rakia is traditionally the one produced by your grandfather in the village, according to a unique family recipe. Such homemade alcohol production is widespread in Bulgaria. Any Bulgarian man at least once in his life participated in the process and knows a lot of details of preparing this drink. Nevertheless, dozens of types of rakia from large and small producers are sold in Bulgarian supermarkets and wine boutiques.
Based on the opinions of experienced consumers and professional technologists, we have prepared a rating of the best brands of rakia that you can buy in a store.
1. Soli Invicto
Bottle capacity: 0.5l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 22 lev / 11 euro
Raw materials: grapes Traminer, Chardonnay, Muscat Otonel
Aging process: without contact with oak wood
Origin: own vineyard
Region: Thracian region, Central Bulgaria
Producer - Winery Eduardo Miroglio
Winery Edoardo Miroglio was founded in 2002, is located in the central part of Bulgaria and bears the name of its founder - an Italian by birth. The farm has approximately 220 hectares of vineyards and is a major producer of premium wine.
The high-quality Soli Invicto wine spirit (it. Invincible Sun) produced by this farm is obtained by double distillation in a copper alambike. For production, fragrant grapes Traminer, Chardonnay and Muscat Otonel are used.
The drink has a captivating ethereal aroma and is crystal clear. True brandy connoisseurs celebrate its soft and elegant taste, a sense of warmth and harmony.
2. Solitaire Special Selection
Bottle capacity: 0.5l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 45 lev / 23 euro
Raw materials: grapes, a mixture of varieties
Aging process: without contact with oak wood
Region: Thracian region, Central Bulgaria
Origin: own vineyard
Producer - wine industry Domain Boyar
Domaine Boyar is a major producer and importer of wine in Bulgaria. The company began operations in the early 90s and now owns two farms in southern Bulgaria.
This rakia is made from selected grapes grown in particular vineyard areas. A special technology for the collection and preparation of wine allows you to highlight a clean and intense aroma of raw materials. The further distillation process is tuned specifically for optimal and natural extraction of the grapes’ beneficial properties in combination with a delicate, refined taste.
The color is clear, the taste is sweet and mild and dominant notes of blooming rose and lavender are the distinctive characteristics of the finished Solitaire Special Selection rakia.
3. Pomoriiska Muskatova
Bottle capacity: 0.7l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 12 lev / 6 euro
Raw materials: grapes, Muscat Otonel
Aging: no contact with oak wood
Region: Thracian Region, Southern Black Sea Coast
Origin: own vineyard
Manufacturer - Winery Black Sea Gold Pomorie
This rakia has a classic rich taste and deep aroma, and is produced from Muscat Otonel. Traditional technology and excellent wine material have allowed the manufacturer to create a popular base variety with a consistent quality standard.
4. Karnobatska Special Selection
Bottle capacity: 0.7l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 12 lev / 6 euro
Raw materials: Muscat Otonel grapes, Cherven Misket
Aging: without contact with oak wood
Region: Thracian Lowland, Southeast Bulgaria
Origin: own vineyard
Manufacturer - Vinprom Karnobat
Winner of the CHALLENGE INTERNATIONAL DU VIN gold medal in 2017, The Karnobatskа Special Selection is a balanced drink with a mild flavor and unique character. It is produced from selected grapes of the Muscat Otonel and Cherven Misket varieties from the manufacturer’s own vineyards.
5. Aged Kaysieva Isperih Special Reserve
Bottle capacity: 0.5l.
Alcoholic content: 43 vol. %
Average price in stores: 23 lev / 12 euro
Raw materials: sweet varieties of apricot Ungarka, Merkuleshchi, Silistrenska
Aging process: 3-5 years in oak barrels
Region: Isperih, North-East Bulgaria
Producer – ZHKK Company
Family-owned company ZHKK has been manufacturing fruit distillates since 1997. The production base has five copper tanks with a total capacity of 18 tons. The assortment of brandy is very wide, distillates from grapes, plums, apricots, quinces, melons, pumpkins, blackberries, peaches, apples, pears and cherries are used as raw materials.
Aged Apricot Rakia Isperih Special Reserve was created as a result of blending apricot distillates aged in oak barrels. The technology allows you to save the aroma of ripe apricot, sweet with a hint of vanilla. The transformation of taste reveals notes of dried apricots, tobacco, caramel with a pleasant oak touch. In 2019, this brandy was awarded the Spirit Selection gold medal at the international competition in Brussels.
6. Burgas 63
Bottle capacity: 0.5l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 13 lev / 7 euro
Raw Material: Grapes, Muscat
Aging process: without contact with oak wood
Region: Thracian Region, Southern Black Sea Coast
Origin: own vineyard
Manufacturer - Winery Black Sea Gold Pomorie
The winery, which owns 650 hectares of vineyards on the southeastern coast of Bulgaria, produces a wide range of mass segment wines and, perhaps, the most popular brand of rakia in Bulgaria.
Burgas 63 is a completely colorless brandy, sold in an elegant matte bottle. This is a quality drink with a classic direct taste without any frills.
The dominant taste of Muscat is obtained as a result of careful selection of grapes, which is converted into a first-class wine material that combines freshness, concentrated aroma and softness. Fresh raw materials immediately go to distillation to maintain a delicate Muscat aroma. The result is a drink with an incredible aftertaste, reminiscent of warm early autumn and a delightful ripe golden Muscat.
7. Burgas 63 Barel
Bottle capacity: 0.5l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 16 lev / 8 euro
Raw Material: Grapes, Muscat
Aging process: 5 years in an oak barrel
Region: Thracian Region, Southern Black Sea Coast
Origin: own vineyard
Manufacturer - Winery Black Sea Gold Pomorie
The best bunches from the crop turn into Burgas 63 Barel. The cold tones of the bottle - white and blue - contrast pleasantly with the amber softness of this rakia, which has been aged in the oak barrel for at least 5 years. This variety is significantly different from the bold directness of the classic rakia of Burgas 63. Barel is a bright taste of the holiday, where the sweetness of Muscat is ennobled with oak notes.
8. Burgas 63 Perlova
Bottle capacity: 0.5l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 19 lev / 10 euro
Raw Material: Grapes, Perla
Aging process: 5 years in an oak barrel
Region: Thracian Region, Southern Black Sea Coast
Origin: own vineyard
Manufacturer - Winery Black Sea Gold Pomorie
This rakia is made exclusively from Perla grapes and aged in oak barrels for at least 5 years. A premium drink with truffle aroma and sophisticated taste in an elegant bottle promises a warm finish to any evening and a new aesthetic experience.
9. Burgas 63 Traminer
Bottle capacity: 0.5l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 19 lev / 10 euro
Raw Material: Grapes, Traminer
Aging process: 5 years in an oak barrel
Region: Thracian Region, Southern Black Sea Coast
Origin: own vineyard
Manufacturer - Winery Black Sea Gold Pomorie
This rakia made from Traminer grapes fully conveys the features of this variety. The piercing notes of rose, honey and exotic lychee give the drink an incomparable elegant taste that finally forms after several years of aging in oak barrels.
10. Burgas 63 Special 12 Years
Bottle capacity: 0.5l.
Alcoholic content: 40 vol. %
Average price in stores: 38 lev / 20 euro
Raw materials: grapes, Muscat Otonel
Aging process: 12 years in an oak barrel
Region: Thracian Region, Southern Black Sea Coast
Origin: own vineyard
Manufacturer - Winery Black Sea Gold Pomorie
Muscat Otonel, an elite aged rakia, is stored in special barrels from Strandjan oak for 12 years. By the time of bottling, the drink acquires a bouquet of acacia and fig flavors with a slight hint of vanilla and becomes truly excellent and refined.
Read also:
Bulgarian meat delicacies or what to eat when drinking rakia?
TOP 5 most prestigious brands of rakia
Rakia - best souvenir from Bulgaria. Choosing rakia for a New Year's party