Let’s take a break from a wine topic and focus on other types of alcoholic drinks from SAVALAN’s range, namely the distillates. Distillates are strong alcoholic beverages produced by separation of fermented liquids. Among them are: brandy, cognac, whiskey, calvados, tequila and other sorts of drinks. Each of these drinks has indeed its own history and taste, although what is similar for all of them is their making process called distillation.
Before we talk about the types and features of distillates, we would like to briefly introduce our readers to the procedure of obtaining such drinks. Distillation (from the Latin stillare – “flowing in drops” and the prefix de – “withdrawal”) is the process of separating a liquid into its components by selective boiling and further condensation of liquids. As for distillation of spirits, its essence lies in obtaining a pure product without impurities and oils originally contained in its raw materials.
A distillate of high quality certainly requires some modern heavy-duty equipment. Since quality is a centerpiece of our work, we care to choose, import and install the leading high-tech distillation mechanisms from Italy to create distillates of SAVALAN. That kind of equipment helps us to hold a high bar for our products. At the SAVALAN – ASPI Winery, our spirits are distilled in an alchemic still alembic that works on a water vapor technique called bagnomaria. Thus, the unique method of producing SAVALAN distillates highlights and preserves the finest nuances of the original raw material.
Another feature of distillate production is ice filtration, which removes oil impurities and creates a crystal clear and transparent drink. Most of people tend to mistakenly classify distillates as rectified spirits, such as vodka, referring to the formal resemblance of these drinks. However, it is worth mentioning that a distillate preserves a nature and taste of raw material (namely, fruits, berries and other products), while a rectified spirit passes through multiple distillation steps. During the latter procedure, a drink composition becomes more concentrated and the taste of natural products disappears. For that reason we have a pleasure to call our products – distillates, since the taste of fruits and berries miraculously reveals in them. Let us dive you deeper into that topic.
Nature has generously gifted the land of Azerbaijan with an abundance of fruits and berries. Many of them are associated with the national culture, traditions and cuisine. When creating SAVALAN distillates, we decided to focus primarily on products such as pear, mulberry, quince, dogwood and watermelon. We are willing to tell you a little more about each of these distillates.
Pear distillate preserves its delicate aroma and sweetish aftertaste. This drink is soft, warming, with light flavors of honey and fruits. That kind of distillate matches perfectly with traditional Azerbaijani dishes, such as pilaf (plov), and can also serve as an excellent digestif.
Distillate made from sweet and slightly tart mulberry, one of the legendary berries of the Absheron Peninsula, impresses with its concentration and rich aroma of mulberry. This warming drink is a perfect compliment for traditional dinner.
A quince, which is hard on the outside and soft on the inside, has a distinct sourness building up a distillate with citrus and subtle honey tones and that gives a long-lasting floral aftertaste. This drink is a nice supplement for heavy meat dishes.
As for a dogwood distillate, it gratifies the taste of true enogastronomy connoisseurs. The specificity of this drink is that the latter is prepared according to a traditional recipe, and the berry itself is one of the symbols of Azerbaijani culture. A dogwood can be found in the recipes of many traditional dishes. The production of dogwood distillate deserves particular attention: one bottle requires about 17.5 kg of berries, which are processed manually, since most of this berry is its seed. The final drink has a vivid tart taste that leaves a pleasant aftertaste. In addition, this drink gives a sense of the spirit of Azerbaijani mountains, where this berry flourishes!
The majority of people share a special love for watermelons giving that it is a symbol of a summer, sun and sea. This vibe can be created by a watermelon distillate that preserves a delicate aroma and light sweet shades of the berry, while having a certain depth and characteristic of strong drinks. Watermelon distillate can be served as an exclusive treat, often accompanied by national snacks.
Nowadays traditional crafts are getting a new lease of life and Azerbaijani distillates are becoming increasingly popular on the international market. Their uniqueness lies in the combination of local products and modern technologies, which allows creating drinks that are appreciated by both connoisseurs and novices.
We are proud of our distillates that synthesize the magic of tradition with amazing aroma and taste. Hopefully we will be able to introduce you new products that will also conquer your hearts in the nearest future!
We wish you delicious dinners and vivid impressions from exquisite and crystal clear SAVALAN distillates!
Best regards,
Fuad Seyidaliev and Arif Rahimov
Founders and Co-owners of SAVALAN-ASPI Winery