Region & History

Kecskeméti Barackpálinka is the apricot brandy from around the city of Kecskemét on the Great Hungarian Plain, and its name has been listed in the EU register of geographical indications since 2003. In this context, "barack" means apricot, not peach, which in Hungarian is "őszibarack." Anyone familiar with Marillenschnaps or apricot brandy already knows the family resemblance—only in Hungary it goes by the name Pálinka.

Kecskemét lies in Bács-Kiskun county, in the land between the Danube and the Tisza that Hungarians call Duna-Tisza köze. The soil there is blown sand, and according to the product specification, that's exactly what makes the difference: sand stores little warmth but radiates plenty of it back onto the fruit during the day, then cools quickly at night. Maturation, resting, and bottling must all take place in and around Kecskemét as well.

In the northeast, in the Hernád Valley near the Slovakian border, lies Gönc. The town is known for its barrels, traditionally used to store and transport Tokaji wine. Gönci Barackpálinka has been listed in the EU register since 2008, and its apricots must come from the villages designated for the Gönci Kajszibarack variety.

Two more names belong in this lineup. Homokháti őszibarack pálinka, protected since 2018, comes from the sandy soils around Mórahalom and Ásotthalom and is distilled from peaches. Nagykunsági szilvapálinka, made from plums, and Nagykunsági birspálinka, made from quinces, both originate from the Nagykunság region in Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok county, protected since 2016.

The framework is set by Hungary's 2008 Pálinka law: the fruit must be one hundred percent Hungarian, sugar, flavoring, and foreign alcohol are banned, and a minimum strength of 37.5% ABV is required. The name Pálinka is also jointly protected with Austria, so apricot brandy from Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria, and Vienna may carry the name too.