Stara Sokolova 18 Year Old – A Rare Piece of Serbian Rakija History

Only 400 Bottles. Thirty Years in the Making.

Some spirits are created for everyday enjoyment. Others are released to commemorate a defining moment in a distillery's history.

Stara Sokolova 18 Year Old Limited Edition belongs firmly in the latter category.

Released in 2025 to celebrate the distillery's 30th anniversary, this exceptional Serbian plum brandy represents one of the most exclusive expressions ever produced under the Stara Sokolova name.

Just 400 individually numbered bottles were released, each personally signed by founder Radisav Bogdanović.

It is a commemorative expression created from carefully selected aged plum distillates, offering collectors an opportunity to own a tangible part of the distillery's history.

An 18-Year-Old Rakija Worth Waiting For

The defining feature of this extraordinary release is its maturation.

Stara Sokolova 18 is created by blending carefully selected plum distillates that have spent at least 18 years ageing in oak barrels.

This extended maturation allows the spirit to develop remarkable complexity, bringing together the natural character of traditional Serbian plums with the richness of mature oak.

The result is a sophisticated plum brandy with deep amber colour, expressive aromas and a beautifully rounded structure.

Eighteen years represents an exceptional period of maturation for Serbian Šljivovica, reflecting both the patience required to create the spirit and the value of the distillery's carefully preserved reserves.

Three Traditional Serbian Plum Varieties

At the heart of Stara Sokolova 18 are three traditional plum varieties:

Požegača

A historic Serbian plum variety closely associated with the production of traditional Šljivovica.

Crvena Ranka

An indigenous plum variety prized in Serbian fruit brandy production.

Trnovača

A traditional variety with particular significance to the Bogdanović family's distilling heritage.

These varieties form the foundation of a distinctive plum brandy that celebrates the fruit-growing traditions of western Serbia.

Triple Distillation and Extended Oak Ageing

Stara Sokolova 18 is produced using controlled fermentation and a column distillation system with three rectification zones, described on the label as triple-distilled.

The distillates are then matured in sessile oak barrels, known in Serbia as hrast kitnjak.

The combination of carefully selected fruit, precise distillation and prolonged oak ageing creates a spirit with refined texture and substantial aromatic depth.

This is not simply an older version of a standard Šljivovica. It is a specially selected anniversary blend made from mature reserves and bottled in an extremely limited quantity.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep, rich amber.

Aroma: Mature plum, fine oak and vanilla.

Palate: Full-bodied and harmonious, combining developed fruit character with elegant oak influence.

Finish: Long, smooth and complex, with lingering notes of plum, vanilla and mature wood.

Best enjoyed neat in a tulip-shaped brandy glass or traditional rakija glass, allowing the aromas to develop gradually.

A Bottle Personally Signed by the Founder

What makes Stara Sokolova 18 especially meaningful is its direct connection to the man behind the distillery.

Each of the 400 bottles is individually numbered and personally signed by Radisav Bogdanović, the founder of Stara Sokolova.

This detail transforms the release from an exceptional aged spirit into a commemorative collector's item.

For collectors of rare Serbian rakija, the individual numbering and founder's signature are among the most distinctive features of this anniversary edition.

Celebrating 30 Years of Stara Sokolova

The story of Stara Sokolova stretches back through generations of the Bogdanović family.

Its modern commercial journey began in 1995, when Radisav Bogdanović introduced the Stara Sokolova brand.

From modest beginnings, the distillery developed an international reputation for traditional Serbian fruit brandies, particularly its oak-aged Šljivovica.

Today, Stara Sokolova is recognised across international markets for its dedication to traditional plum varieties and patient barrel maturation.

The 18 Year Old 30th Anniversary Edition celebrates this journey, honouring the family heritage, craftsmanship and commitment that have defined the distillery for three decades.

An Exceptional Addition to a Premium Rakija Collection

With only 400 bottles produced, Stara Sokolova 18 occupies a very different position from a regularly available aged plum brandy.

Its appeal lies in the combination of:

• A strictly limited production run of 400 bottles

• Individually numbered bottles

• A personal signature from the distillery's founder

• A minimum of 18 years of oak maturation

• Three traditional Serbian plum varieties

• A commemorative release celebrating 30 years of Stara Sokolova

For enthusiasts of premium Šljivovica, collectors of rare spirits and those seeking a distinguished Serbian gift, this is a release with genuine historical significance.

A Rare Serbian Release for Australian Collectors

Stara Sokolova 18 Year Old represents an opportunity to experience one of the distillery's most exclusive creations.

Produced in only 400 numbered bottles, this anniversary edition is not part of the regular Stara Sokolova range.

For Australians searching for Stara Sokolova 18 Year Old, Limited Edition Serbian Rakija, Rare Šljivovica, 18 Year Old Plum Brandy or Collectible Balkan Spirits, this commemorative release offers an extraordinary expression of Serbian distilling heritage.