How is borovička made? The secrets behind the production of our iconic spirit
You don't have to be an experienced hiker, climber or endurance athlete, but you must love the Slovak mountains! Deep forests, gorges, waterfalls, rocky cliffs with castles from which you can see the landscape below you like the palm of your hand, and above all, lots of borovička (juniper) - Slovakia offers all of this. Borovička is a Slovak classic that is very popular. This spirit, made from ripe juniper berries, has a typical juniper aroma and flavor. It even functions as a protected brand within the European Union.
Slovaks love this drink and give it various folk names. In addition to dialect terms such as borovec or jalovec, bobinka or bohorodička, you have probably also heard the phrase "pomsta z lesa" (revenge from the forest). Juniper is extremely aromatic and strong, usually with an alcohol content of over 40%. Perhaps that is why it has been given such a harsh name.
History of juniper
The first mentions of juniper can be found in the Tatra Mountains. At the beginning of the 19th century, juniper was distilled in copper pots in almost every household. What may surprise you, however, is that more women than men were involved in the art of distilling juniper. The addition of medicinal gentian roots was no exception. You can still find this version of borovička today, for example Domovina Borovička s Horcom. Home distilling gradually disappeared and the first distilleries and alcohol production facilities began to appear in this area.
Spiš, the birthplace of modern juniper
The first destination for juniper is definitely the Spiš region, which, in addition to the largest castle in Central Europe, also boasts borovička, which has been produced here for more than two hundred years. Among the most famous brands is definitely the traditional Spišská borovička.
Sebastian Laur was the first to distill juniper berries into borovička in the second half of the 18th century. He knew very well what he was doing, but he certainly had no idea what his amateur experiment in a shed in Spiš would ultimately lead to.
In addition to its beautiful nature, Spiš also boasts a number of historical monuments, such as the aforementioned Spiš Castle, which is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the beautiful Spiš Castle District with its well-preserved burgher houses. Also worth visiting are the manor house in Markušovce, Spišská Kapitula, and the historic town of Levoča.
For lovers of juniper, Spišská Belá is a must-see destination, as the quality of the local juniper was considered one of the best in the whole of Hungary. Several unique written records have been preserved, and it even made it into the Hungarian Almanac, which is something like an economic and geographical commodity lexicon listing the most important industrial and economic areas of Hungary. To this day, several family-owned juniper distilleries have been preserved here, which are well worth a visit.
Hybe and Pacho
Hybe is considered one of the most beautiful areas in Slovakia. But what would Hybe be without its Pacho? That's why filmmakers chose these hills as the setting for a successful Slovak comedy that tells the story of the legendary Hybe bandit Pacho. In the film, the main character Pacho repeatedly drinks his mythical beverage Frndžalica, to help himself and his companions overcome various dangers. This drink has survived to this day, and you can try it while wandering through these beautiful hills.
The enchanting nature of Upper Liptov has a lot to offer. Be sure to take a walk through the Hybická Gorge or hike up to Ohnište, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside through an impressive 10-meter-high rock window. After a good hike, enjoy a traditional drink of the old mothers. Borôvku, which was created by combining juniper and Frndžalica distillates. The quote that adorns this drink is telling: "Jan's old mother said that BORÔVKA from PACHA MATRTAJA burns away worms, cleanses the intestines of all plagues, and is said to help with constipation and bloating. Even sausage and bacon taste better with it..."
Trenčín medicine
The next stop for curious lovers of juniper is the city of Trenčín, which boasts one of the oldest brands of quality borovička Juniperus, which has been produced since 1905. The first Trenčín juniper factory was established under Matúš Čák's castle in 1933. During the First Republic, this drink was also exported to the USA. With the characteristic advertising slogan: "Genuine Trenčín medicinal juniper brandy. An indispensable healing drink. For stomach and intestinal ailments and winter infectious diseases. An excellent drink that aids digestion."
Who could resist Trenčín medicine when looking at tall Slovak lads drinking in picturesque surroundings?
When touring Trenčín, don't miss another iconic brand of distillery Old Herold and this juniper Koniferum.
Juniper Day
June 24 is International Juniper Day, and we should celebrate it! How else but with a quality juniper from our selection. Clear or flavored. Classic or in a gift box. Choose, discover, and enjoy. But let yourself be captivated by the aroma and taste, because you will discover what "revenge from the forest" means.
