Śliwowica Podbeskidzka 50% is a Polish plum eau-de-vie produced by Toorank Polska, a company that has been active on the market since 1996. Śliwowica Podbeskidzka is made by Toorank Polska of Jasienica, near Bielsko-Biała. In this version the bottle strength is 50% – lower than in the classic 72% variant from the same range.
The spirit is based on plum distillate, and the producer relies on natural raw materials. Śliwowica Podbeskidzka is created exclusively from natural, specially selected ingredients, crystal-clear water and fruit of the highest quality. The mash is made from węgierka (Hungarian) plums. The harvested plums are crushed, together with a small amount of the stones. It is precisely this addition that gives the whole a delicate bitterness.
The process is spread out over time and based on traditional technology. The mash prepared in this way undergoes fermentation, which lasts for over a dozen weeks. The whole is then distilled in traditional copper alembics. The distillate obtained through alcoholic fermentation and distillation of plums is then aged in 225-litre oak barrels. It is this maturation in oak that shapes the spirit's profile and its colour.
In the glass, the śliwowica appears amber, with a distinct fruity note. It is a strong 50% spirit of amber colour and an intense aroma of plums. On the palate it remains dry – dry, characteristic of a plum distillate.
The producer recommends a tasting approach. Śliwowica should be savoured – drunk slowly, in small sips, preferably from tasting glasses. Due to its high alcohol content, it can also be enjoyed in a milder form: according to the well-known highlander recipe, as an addition to tea.