The “Rakija Culture” Foundation from Banja Luka, a pioneer in promoting rakija from Republika Srpska on the global stage of premium spirits, has highlighted the untapped potential of this distinguished beverage. This comes especially after an impressive showing at this year’s international competition in China, where 70 samples from the Balkans were presented, earning 25 medals—an exceptional achievement.
The Foundation emphasized the need to establish adequate quality standards to ensure rakija secures its deserved place among globally renowned spirits.
“Otherwise, low-quality fruit distillates, marketed abroad as premium beverages, will undoubtedly tarnish rakija’s reputation as a high-quality spirit,” the Foundation stated.
October 2024 will be remembered as a landmark month with the inaugural National Festival of Noble Fruit Distillates, “Rakije Srpske,” held in Laktaši. The event brought together over 40 exhibitors, including around 30 distilleries, offering visitors a diverse range of premium distillates with an array of flavors.
“This festival was also an opportunity to promote rakija as a regional specialty and to position the broader area on the global tourism map, highlighting its authentic gastronomic offerings, which attract many visitors to our region,” the Foundation noted.
More than 1,500 festival visitors had the chance to taste a wide variety of products, from traditional plum rakija to barrel-aged apricot brandy and wild pear rakija.
To support these efforts, the Foundation invited and funded the attendance of Ulrich Nijs, director of the World Spirits Competition in Brussels (Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles), to provide insights into advancing the industry.
“The ‘Rakija Culture’ Foundation, established a few years ago, counts among its board members Branko Drljača, a globally recognized authority on fine distillates. As a nonprofit organization, the Foundation aims to elevate the status of premium fruit distillates through education, quality standardization, and evaluation festivals, securing the global recognition this beverage truly deserves,” the Foundation stated.
Nijs recognized the great potential of fruit distillates from Republika Srpska, predicting a bright future. He commented on the festival’s offerings, noting that domestic premium rakijas are climbing to the top tier of global spirits, with enormous export potential.
According to him, the increasing presence of rakija samples at international competitions and their outstanding results position them among the world’s best spirits.
Premium rakijas, judges noted, rival top-notch cognac, whiskey, or rum and are rapidly advancing toward international recognition. The key to achieving this lies in ensuring quality standards that guarantee reliability for international buyers and secure market placement for local distilleries.
The World Spirits Competition in Brussels is one of the three most prestigious global events, wielding significant influence in the industry due to the fierce competition among submitted samples.
“In recent years, rakija has begun making a notable impact at these evaluations, proving its potential to stand alongside elite spirits worldwide. The 2024 competition, held in China, featured 154 world-class judges assessing 2,754 samples from 62 countries over three days,” the Foundation emphasized.
The event maintains its top-tier reputation through strict selection criteria for judges, proven expertise, and rigorous quality control. Thanks to Drljača’s efforts, a record 70 rakija samples from the Balkans participated this year, earning an impressive 25 medals.
“These achievements represent a significant milestone for rakija and our cultural heritage. The accolades further highlight the unique qualities and exceptional standards of our national drink, deeply rooted in the tradition and identity of the Serb people,” the Foundation said.
The “Rakija Culture” Foundation stressed that smart, responsible steps, supported by institutions, are essential to elevate domestic rakija with quality standards, promoting its authenticity and cultural significance.
“This is crucial not only for developing the rakija industry but also for related sectors such as agritourism, rural development, and community revitalization. The role of support services and institutions is to recognize and enhance this potential, giving rakija the prominence it deserves as an ambassador of our culture and tradition,” the Foundation concluded.
Source: RTRS
