Wednesday, 9th July 2025

The 50-Year-Old Honey That Became Slovenia’s Most Remarkable Spirit

A 50-year-old stash of honey, once the treasure of an innovative beekeeper, now flows again — as a rare, golden rakija

In a quiet cellar near Maribor, Slovenia, 750 kilograms of honey — untouched for over half a century — has been reborn as a one-of-a-kind spirit.

Believed to be between 47 and 60 years old, the honey once belonged to Franc Kirar (1893–1978), a revered beekeeper and inventor who crafted his own hive design, still used today.

His granddaughter gifted the aging nectar to distiller Bojan Lunežnik, who transformed the floral-forest blend into rakija, blending innovation with legacy.

The spirit, matured with wood for depth and a honeyed aroma, carries 39.8% alcohol and a smooth, complex profile reminiscent of fine rum.

Only 555 bottles exist — each packaged with real honeycomb in boxes echoing Kirar’s hives. One, bottle No. 3, now rests in the Maribor Museum of the Old Vine.

Priced at €1,893, honouring Kirar’s birth year, each bottle offers not just a taste, but an immersive VR glimpse into a beekeeping story nearly lost to time.

Have a news tip or story to share? Email us at info@connectingregion.com

Hemofarm Acquires Fortacell to Boost Supplement Market Presence in the Balkans

Hemofarm has announced the acquisition of Fortacell, a leading supplement brand focused on immune health and vitality, in a...

Slovenia Joins CERN: A Small Nation, a Giant Scientific Leap

By becoming a full member of CERN on June 21st—officially marked by a flag-raising ceremony on July 3rd—Slovenia has...

Slovenia’s AI Leap: Building the Future

With one of Europe’s fastest supercomputers and a UNESCO-backed AI research hub, Slovenia is stepping onto the global stage...

What Sandoz’s €1 Billion Investment Means for Slovenia

Swiss pharmaceutical leader Sandoz has launched a major expansion in Slovenia, beginning construction on a €400 million biosimilars plant...

Serbia’s Business Sector Gets AI Boost

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) reported at its Assembly session that it had introduced nine new digital services...
spot_img

Connecting the Adria Region Decision Makers

The Region is more than a publication - it's where the region's elite converge for insights and opportunities