Stršljen Distillery

In the Nova Topola agro-industrial zone, in the municipality of Gradiška, one of the most ambitious local distilleries in Bosnia and Herzegovina is at work. Stršljen rakija is more than a product: it shows that traditional rakija making and modern technology do not cancel each other out. Combined well, they lift each other to something every glass confirms from the first sip.

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What makes Stršljen Distillery special?

The scale is impressive from the start: 21 fermentation tanks of 7,000 litres each with precise hot-and-cold control, double distillation in state-of-the-art stills, and ageing in 70 French Radoux oak barrels and 16 barrels of local sessile oak. An annual capacity of 78,000 bottles shows serious industrial strength, but what sets Stršljen apart is an almost obsessive care for every step, from choosing the fruit to labelling. Nothing is left to chance: not the fermentation temperature, not the ageing time, not the split between heads, hearts and tails during distillation.

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Who will enjoy a visit to Stršljen?

Stršljen is a destination as well as a producer. The tasting room, which seats 18, is the heart of the distillery. Here you can explore the whole range, from classic fruit brandies such as plum brandy and travarica made to an original recipe with mountain herbs from Herzegovina, to special and limited editions. The space is ideal for small celebrations, team building, business presentations and anyone who wants to understand what goes into a bottle of real local rakija. Distillery tours with tasting are an increasingly popular form of food tourism in Republika Srpska.

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Taste & Rate editors’ tip

Book the tasting in advance and ask your hosts to explain the difference between rakija aged in French and in local oak: that detail changes how you taste it. Stršljen travarica, made to an original recipe with medicinal herbs from Herzegovina, is the perfect end to a good lunch. And if you are looking for an original gift that tells a story about Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will struggle to find better than a Stršljen limited edition.