Stara Pesma Klekovača – Award-Winning Serbian Juniper Plum Brandy

A Traditional Spirit of the Balkan Mountains

Stara Pesma Klekovača is a distinctive Serbian juniper plum brandy, combining traditional Šljivovica with the unmistakable fragrance and character of juniper berries.

Produced by the Stara Pesma distillery in Pilica, near Bajina Bašta in western Serbia, this aromatic spirit celebrates a longstanding tradition of combining fruit brandy with botanicals.

Its name, Klekovača, comes from kleka, the Balkan word for juniper. The spirit is especially associated with Serbia's mountainous regions, where juniper grows naturally.

Unlike conventional plum rakija, Klekovača offers an intensely aromatic profile, with herbal, resinous and gently bitter notes alongside the smooth character of its fruit-brandy base.

What Makes Stara Pesma Klekovača Special?

The defining ingredient is juniper, a botanical prized for its distinctive pine-like fragrance and complex herbal character.

While juniper is also the signature botanical in gin, Klekovača belongs to a different distilling tradition. Its plum-brandy foundation gives it a character that sets it apart from spirits made using neutral alcohol.

Stara Pesma's expression is carefully produced to achieve a balance between the intensity of juniper and the smoothness of the underlying brandy.

The producer describes its aroma as exceptionally intense, clean, complex and refined, with a rich, persistent bouquet.

On the palate, it is full-bodied and harmonious, finishing with an appealing, restrained bitterness characteristic of traditional Klekovača.

An Exceptionally Award-Winning Rakija

Stara Pesma Klekovača has received an impressive collection of awards at Serbian and international spirits competitions.

Its documented achievements include:

• Grand Gold Medals – Novi Sad Fair: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

• Group Champion – Novi Sad Fair: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

• Special Rakija Category Champion – Osečina: 2008, 2009 and 2010.

• Gold Medal – International Spirits Competition, Ljubljana: 2009.

• Gold Medal – Rakija Fest: 2010.

• Grand Gold Medal – Serbian Rakija Festival: 2017.

• Grand Gold Medal – Žestival, Užice: 2018.

These achievements establish Klekovača as one of the most decorated expressions in the Stara Pesma range and demonstrate the distillery's expertise in producing traditional botanical fruit brandies.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Clear, with a clean and refined presentation.

Aroma: Intense juniper, fragrant mountain herbs and delicate fruit-brandy notes.

Palate: Full-bodied, smooth and harmonious, with pronounced botanical character.

Finish: Persistent and aromatic, with a subtle, pleasantly bitter juniper finish.

How to Enjoy Klekovača

Traditionally served as an aperitif, Stara Pesma Klekovača is best enjoyed neat at approximately 16°C, allowing its juniper aromas to develop fully.

It pairs beautifully with traditional Balkan meze, cured meats, aged cheeses and savoury appetisers.

Its aromatic profile also makes it an interesting choice for gin enthusiasts looking to experience a different interpretation of juniper spirits.

The Heritage of Stara Pesma

Stara Pesma, meaning “Old Song”, is produced by the Ilić family in Pilica, near Bajina Bašta, a region surrounded by the mountainous landscapes of western Serbia.

The distillery is known for its commitment to traditional fruit brandy production, combining generations of local knowledge with carefully controlled distillation techniques.

Its extensive collection of competition medals reflects the quality and consistency of its rakija range.

For Australians seeking Klekovača, Serbian Juniper Brandy, Juniper Rakija or traditional Balkan spirits, Stara Pesma offers an authentic and highly awarded expression.