Emperus Reserva Antica Plum Brandy

Emperus Reserva Antica – Emperus Distillery's Family Treasure: a blend of four plum distillates from the 1992 and 1993 vintages, made from indigenous Požegača and Rankovača varieties.

Tasting Notes

Color: deep green-olive, brilliant clarity. The nose reveals the typical aroma of old indigenous plum varieties, supported by vanilla and dried fruit from decades of aging in oak barrels. On the palate, it is full-bodied, smooth, and harmonious, with pronounced vanilla and dried fruit notes. The finish is long, warm, and mellow, complex and exceptionally well-balanced.

Highlights

• Blend of four plum distillates from the 1992 and 1993 vintages – over 30 years of barrel aging
• Indigenous Serbian plum varieties Požegača and Rankovača
• Radiocarbon dating by SUERC, Glasgow (Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre), 99.7% probability – unique in the Serbian Šljivovica world
• Rated by renowned sensory expert Prof. Dr. Ninoslav Nikićević as "the highest-rated distillate of Serbian Šljivovica of the last 40 years" (top score of 19.90 out of 20.00)
• Voždovi dani rakije 2023: international expert commission, average score 19.66

Food Pairing & Occasion

Ideally served as an aperitif before a festive meal. Mature hard cheeses, Pata Negra, dried figs, or dark chocolate enhance the vanilla and dried fruit notes. A companion for special occasions, Orthodox Slava holidays, or a gift for collectors of fine spirits.

Serving Recommendation

Serve at room temperature (18–20 °C) in a snifter glass – never chilled, as the complex aromas would otherwise be lost.

Facts

• Genre: Šljivovica (Serbian plum brandy, Rakija)
• Plum varieties: Požegača, Rankovača (indigenous)
• Distillate vintages: 1992 and 1993
• Aging: over 30 years in Serbian oak barrels
• Distillation: traditional, double
• Award: Radiocarbon certificate SUERC Glasgow; Voždovi dani rakije 2023 Ø 19.66
• Origin: Šumadija, Serbia
• Distillery: Emperus

About the Distillery

Emperus is a family distillery from Šumadija. The Reserva Antica opens the family treasure trove and unites the most valuable distillates from the early 1990s – exclusively from old, indigenous Serbian plum varieties. It is considered one of the rarest and most highly-rated plum brandies in Serbia.