{"title":"Spirits","description":"\u003cp\u003eGrape brandy from Tikveš, distilled on a heritage copper column. The four Kumova expressions run from unaged and crystal clear through to four years in oak, and LYXA VSOP sits above them at eight years. All 70cl.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"kumova-zolta","title":"Kumova Žolta","description":"\u003cp\u003ePale amber with a gold edge. It opens with white blossom, dried apricot and honeyed citrus, then vanilla, almond and a little toasted spice. The palate is smooth and round. Baked pear, orange peel, nougat. The finish is long and leaves you with vanilla pod, dried fig and toasted grain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrink it at room temperature, 16 to 18 degrees, and the fruit and the flowers come forward. As an aperitif, chill it lightly to 12 or 14. Use a tulip glass or a small white wine glass. Give it two or three minutes before you sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is very good with aged sheep's cheese like kashkaval, roasted pickled peppers, and ajvar or pindjur. Smoked and cured meats bring out the depth. Figs, walnuts and light nut puddings pick up the vanilla and the dried fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the golden one in the Kumova range, and the one to start with if you want to understand what oak does to rakija. The distillates rest in stainless steel and in casks half a century old. Those casks are too old to give colour any more. They give spice and softness instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDistilled on the winery's heritage copper rectification column, a method borrowed from Armagnac. Distilled with fine lees and no preservatives, which is where the texture comes from. Blended by tasting, not by formula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLozova rakija, grape brandy. 40% ABV. 70cl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tikveš Winery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58775411097945,"sku":"TL-SPR-ZOL-70","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1056\/7647\/2665\/files\/tikves-kumova-zolta.jpg?v=1786788799"},{"product_id":"kumova-bela","title":"Kumova Bela","description":"\u003cp\u003eCrystal clear with a silver cast. It smells of fresh grape and white peach, with soft Muscat flowers behind and a hint of spice. The palate is light and silky, with a gentle sweetness and real balance. The finish is clean and crisp and leaves a soft warmth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe it well chilled, 6 to 10 degrees. A tulip glass or a small white wine glass keeps the aromas together. Let it sit for a moment before you drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt works with creamy white sheep's cheese, a Shopska or garden salad, grilled fish and calamari. Soft cheeses, seasonal fruit and light starters all suit it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have never drunk rakija before, this is the bottle to open first. It is the most approachable one in the range and it does not ask anything of you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade from two distillates, Smederevka and Muscat Hamburg, picked at full ripeness and distilled in a single pass on the winery's copper rectification column. It then rests in stainless steel and in oak casks over fifty years old, which give a little spice and softness without adding colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLozova rakija, grape brandy. 40% ABV. 70cl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tikveš Winery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58775411458393,"sku":"TL-SPR-BLA-70","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1056\/7647\/2665\/files\/tikves-kumova-bela-portrait-square.jpg?v=1786806095"},{"product_id":"kumova-reserve","title":"Kumova Reserve","description":"\u003cp\u003eDeep gold with copper lights. The nose is layered. Dried apricot, quince and golden raisin first, then vanilla, caramelised apple and toasted almond, with oak spice, honey and tobacco leaf underneath. The palate is full but refined. Baked pear, candied citrus and dried fig run through oak, hazelnut and cocoa. The finish goes on for a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrink it neat at room temperature, 16 to 18 degrees, in a tulip or a small brandy glass. Give it a few minutes to open. This is a bottle for sitting down with, not for a round of drinks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair it with aged kashkaval, roast lamb or veal with herbs, and smoked or dry-cured meats. Roasted red pepper relish suits the spice. Dark chocolate, dried figs and toasted nuts pick up the cocoa and the caramel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the top of the Kumova range and the one that rewards attention. About four years in oak, in a mix of old and new barrels. The old casks come from the winery's historic reserves and give roundness. The newer ones give spice and structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmederevka forms the backbone. Distillates from several varieties and several years are blended for depth. Distilled with fine lees and no preservatives on the heritage copper rectification column, then finished with coarse filtration only, so the texture stays intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLozova rakija, grape brandy. 45% ABV. 70cl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tikveš Winery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58775411884377,"sku":"TL-SPR-RES-70","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1056\/7647\/2665\/files\/tikves-kumova-reserve-sqare.jpg?v=1786806478"},{"product_id":"kumova-traditional","title":"Kumova Traditional","description":"\u003cp\u003eCrystal clear and uncompromising. Kumova Traditional is the purest rakija in the range. No oak, no colour, nothing between you and the grape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is made exclusively from Smederevka, distilled with fine lees on the winery's heritage copper rectification column, then rested in stainless steel to protect its clarity and focus. The result is a spirit that is dry, vivid and precise, with a long warming finish that earns its 50%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrink it neat at room temperature, or well chilled between 6 and 8 degrees. A few ice cubes soften the alcohol without losing the character. Use a small rakija glass and give it a moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt pairs with smoked and cured meats, pickled vegetables, aged sheep's cheese and the kind of simple Macedonian meze that lets the rakija do the talking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLozova rakija, grape brandy. 50% ABV. 70cl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tikveš Winery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58850838839641,"sku":"TL-SPR-TRA-70","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1056\/7647\/2665\/files\/tikves-kumova-traditional-square.jpg?v=1786806636"}],"url":"https:\/\/tikveslondon.uk\/collections\/spirits.oembed","provider":"Tikveš London","version":"1.0","type":"link"}