Any Russian (possibly) people about? Alcohol related!

[SWnewstart]

Sorted out a not much used cupboard today and found this bottle - no idea what it is (or how we got it, which is slightly worrying!) - can anyone hazard a guess? Quite happy to open and taste but curious to know anything more about it if I can.

www.bulgaria-gifts.com/products/troyanska-slivova-rakia-7-years-old

Its Bulgarian, made from plums and a bit like brandy.

This was the top result when I googled it

www.bulgaria-gifts.com/products/troyanska-slivova-rakia-7-years-old

Cross Post!

It's not Russian, it's Bulgarian plum rakia.

Another cross post!

If that's anything like a Czech sliovitch I once had, it'll cure all coughs and sore throats and is probably the cure for the new strain of Corona virus too. It was bloody delicious. I was gutted when we finished it.

Wow, such a fast response at this time of night (sorry, morning) and thanks everyone. A family member used to sponsor a young girl through her education in a remote part of Bulgaria so that could be a link, but doesn't explain why I have the bottle. Relative no longer alive to ask! It sounds quite nice so will open on Christmas Eve I think. Anyone ever tried plum brandy?

BaronessBomburst - that made me smile! Sounds like it might go down quite well .....

Aaaah! Slivovitch. Love it . I think there are to different types? One is fire water, the other a bit like a fruit liquer. I bought the sweeter one from Slovenia (loved the place and the drink!) . I later bought one from a shop in London. It was more fire water but still deliciousl

BaronessBombarst that reminds me of the plum wine we had in Beijing. It was more of a liquer. Very sweet but went down a treat as we had all got Beijing Throat from the heavy pollution, plus it was a very cold December. Took some to my room each night and slept soundly! Probably literally!

I will come back and update after sampling on Christmas Eve - wonder if we have firewater or something a little more mellow!

My money's on something mellower, judging by the colour. Fire water will be a much paler colour.

Oh thank you for the ice-cold tip Kakfor. Assuming this was something like brandy, it would have been tasted at room temperature! I guess that would make quite a difference . As mentioned above, there are some connections Bulgaria - a place called Smolyan, where a family member sponsored a young girl's education and I have heard lots about this place and how generous with hospitality people are.

I worked with a guy from Bosnia who made a plum alcoholic drink. It blew your head off!

Update - chilled the bottle as recommended (but didn't have salad, just savoury snacks). Opened bottle, took a sniff, seemed OK. Poured 4 x shot glasses. On the count of 3, we all drank. DP down in one, me a small mouthful, others just a sip. DP swore and panted a bit then declared it "not bad", I gasped but quite liked the warmth spreading down my throat, others said it was very strong - a bit like whisky. Overall verdict ..... not as mellow as I'd hoped but I've had worse!!!

Came on here hoping to be useful as Russian but no! Enjoy drink.