OUR STORY
PASSION - PATIENCE - EXPERTISE
For over fifty years, our family's dedication to passion, patience, knowledge, and perseverance has resulted in our palinka being recognized as one of Hungary's high-quality Hungaricums. We craft our palinka from over 40 varieties of fruits grown in Hungary, employing both traditional "kisüsti" pot and modern columnar distillation techniques. Our distillery's heart lies in a commitment to meticulous handwork, continuous innovation, and deliberate product development. Each bottle of our palinka is crafted using 100% fruit, preserving the natural essence of the fruit itself. The continually evolving expertise underscores our commitment to quality passed down through generations.
Many good palinkas are available in Hungary, but we always seek the best. Our family is dedicated to pursuing excellence, and we firmly believe that ÁRPÁD PÁLINKA is amongst the best high-quality palinkas available today. We take pride in the numerous awards and positive consumer feedback, strengthening our conviction.
We firmly believe that true palinka reveals its natural character to those who understand its rich history, production methods, and, most importantly, its consumption rituals. For our family, palinka is more than just a profession; it's a way of life—a passion we cherish and nurture at every opportunity.
Crafting authentic palinka is an art where the skilled palinka distiller masters every nuance. From the initial stages to the final finishing touches, we endeavor to create the perfect palinka, blending noble ingredients with love, passion, and utmost respect.
ORIGIN OF THE PALINKA
Palinka holds a revered status as our national beverage, with its roots tracing back to the royal court of the XIV century, where Queen Elizabeth of Hungary used "aqua vitae" to treat gout. Since the XVIII century, palinka has been crafted from various fruits indigenous to Hungary, marking its evolution into a cherished cultural tradition. Historical records document the introduction of palinka regulations in 1850, while the Hungarian peach palinka gained global renown in 1934.
Determination of the palinka
Defined as a fruit distillate containing between 37.5% and 86% alcohol by volume, palinka is exclusively produced from wild fruit, grape pomace, and muscat grape pomace cultivated within Hungarian borders. Every stage of its production—from mashing and distillation to aging and bottling—occurs on Hungarian soil, safeguarding its authenticity. Prohibited from any alteration with additional sugars, flavorings, colorings, or sweeteners, palinka embodies the pure essence of distilled fruit, reflecting the rich terroir of Hungary.
Palinka as a Hungaricum
The designation of Hungaricum, protected by the community, stands as a distinctive hallmark of Hungary, contributing to its global recognition. Hungarian Palinka has earned the prestigious distinction of being classified as a Hungaricum by the Hungaricum Commission, underscoring its significance as a cultural treasure representing the country's heritage and craftsmanship.
Palinka or distillate?
If the production process deviates from the defined criteria for palinka, the resulting product can only be referred to as a distillate.
This encompasses products made from agricultural ingredients (such as fruit, grape, grain crop, potato, and other plants) that undergo fermentation and distillation. Distillates can be flavored and produced in various locations worldwide.
Vegetable-based products are also classified as distillates since the primary ingredient is not fruit. Examples include asparagus, carrot, pumpkin, and ramson distillate.
Distillates made from tropical fruits like banana, pineapple, mandarin, or hazelnut are categorized as such because their ingredients are not sourced from Hungary.
Exclusive use of the name
The exclusive use of the name "palinka" was granted to Hungarian palinka producers in 2004, following adherence to stringent regulations. Consequently, within the European Union, only distillates made from Hungarian fruit on Hungarian territory can bear the name "palinka." Austria obtained an exception, allowing the use of the "peach Palinka" denomination in four provinces.