Is there anything you cannot make pálinka from? Or: domestic pálinka specialities

Pálinka is a real Hungarian cult drink, plum, apricot and sour cherry pálinka are deservedly public favourites, but what can we find beyond these? The range of possibilities is almost endless, newer and newer ingredients and flavour combinations colour the domestic pálinka market.

-says Pach Gábor, the founder of the Fenegyerek Pálinka. 

You can taste the exciting juices of the Fenegyerek personally in Zamárdi, including the aforementioned mahaleb cherry pálinka, in which notes of almonds meet the fresh nature of sour cherry. In the distillery, in addition to the tasting, they are happy to demonstrate the steps of distillation and the processing process and they even undertake on-site distillation with their mobile training equipment upon request.

We stay in Zamárdi, at the Zimek Pálinka Manufactory, which also operates here, where they swear by exciting flavour pairings: their unique combination called Édes 3as is made from a combination of gypsy sour cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry, but there is also an apple pálinka aged in mulberry barrels that offers a real compote taste experience. We also have the opportunity to taste in the manufactory, where the pálinka masters guide us into the wonderful world of pálinka. During the presentation, we can learn about the history of Hungarian pálinka and the Zimek Pálinka Manufactory in both Hungarian and English, as well as we can get an insight into the operation of the distilling equipment, which we can even observe during distillation.

Heading towards the Great Plains, the mountain ash pálinka of the Schiszler Pálinka in Soltvadkert, a drink full of real surprises, with a marzipan aroma, but a sweet taste, floral and fruity at the same time, is waiting for you. On the site, in the Schiszler Pálinka Open-view Distillery and Tasting House, a modern building that serves as both a tasting room and a pálinka distillery, you can learn about the tricks of pálinka distillation and the path of the fruit from the tree to the glass.

Gyula is worth visiting not only for the double sausages: the pálinka range of the Gyulai Pálinka Tasting House is at least as promising! The harmonious, spicy apricot pálinka enchants you with its slightly sweet, fruity taste, while the fragrant grape pálinka surprises you with its elegant muscatel character, thanks to the aromas of sleepy grapes ripened in the autumn sun. In the Tasting House of the Gyulai Pálinka Manufactory, you can take part in a tour of the distillery and a professional guided tour, with the assistance of the distilling master. The Pálinka Tasting House, which faithfully reflects the age of Baron Harruckern János, located next to the distillery, offers a truly unique experience if you want to taste their excellent pálinkas.

It is also worth tasting the raspberry pálinka of the Békési Manufaktúra, which can steal our hearts with its fresh fruity aroma and long, pleasant finish. But we can also mention the slightly sweet blackthorn pálinka, which presents a completely new world of flavours with a strong spicy aroma and an almond background. The Békési Szilvapálinka Centrum, formed from a former synagogue, is both a museum and an experience centre, where we have the opportunity to participate in open-view distillation and pálinka tasting programmes. At the tasting gallery, you can taste 90 different Békés pálinkas, and you can also get an insight into the process of distillation and the culture of the pálinka.

As we explore the rich world of Hungary's pálinka culture, we realize that pálinka is much more than a drink - a journey to discover the taste and aroma of fruits. In every sip lies the meeting of tradition and innovation, where the past meets the future. Let's discover the unique aromas and go on a tasty adventure in the wonderful landscapes of Hungary!