Old Herold Distillery – Borovička of Trenčín

Chapter One

There would be no borovička,
if there were no junipers

Common Juniper

Juniperus communis l.

Grows in the wild
Shrub two metres tall with spiky needle-like leaves
Needs plenty of sunlight
Grassland clearance causes juniper decline
Fruits are blue-black, round, fleshy cones with three seeds, 5–8 mm in diameter
Ripen in 2nd or 3rd year
Harvested by hand and by shaking
Contains: carbohydrates (20%), resin (10%), tannins (5%), essential oil (2%), juniperin, flavonoids, formic, acetic and malic acid, wax

Prickly Juniper / Cedar

Juniperus oxycedrus l.

Grows in the open landscape of the subtropical zone of southern Europe
Fruits are round cones, red coloured, 12–18 mm in diameter
Harvested by hand in the wild
Known to have been imported as early as the first half of the 20th century, when industrial production of borovička was being developed

At OLD HEROLD, we use more than 100 tonnes of dried juniper berries per year for the production of our borovička.

Chapter Two

There would be no borovička
if there was no John Amos Comenius

John Amos Comenius

1592 – 1670

Amsterdam — A Golden Age

The renowned scholar John Amos Comenius lived and worked in Amsterdam in 1642 and from 1656 to 1670. In the 17th century the city experienced a golden age and rapid development.

Centre of arts (Rembrandt van Rijn) and science (Franciscus Sylvius)
The development of the distillation method made it possible to obtain precious medicinal substances also from junipers
A drink called Aqua Juniperi / Gin was created
Comenius often visited the area around Trenčín, and this is why this drink was introduced here in this period

"Borovička distillers and oil merchants are most often from the Trenčín county from the Moravian border and from the White Carpathians, where juniper grows." — Ján Čaplovič (1780–1847), Founder of Slovak Ethnography

Chapter Three

There would be no borovička
if there were no borovička distillers

Trenčín in the 17th Century

Plenty of junipers in the surrounding region
Developing fruit-growing industry along the Váh valley
Distillation tradition and the Benedictines
Infrastructure and the Váh river as a trade route
Development of borovička distilling as a craft — borovičkári

In the 1830s, Ján Čaplovič described the craft of borovička distillers: "Borovička distillers and oil merchants are most often from the Trenčín county from the Moravian border and from the White Carpathians, where juniper grows. In flat, custom-made barrels, the men distribute the goods in Austria and Moravia." — Ján Čaplovič (1780–1847), Founder of Slovak Ethnography

Chapter Four

Borovička would probably exist without Trenčín,
but it would not be the same

Technical progress more than 100 years ago led to the establishment of industry and distilleries in Trenčín

Juniper berries form an essential part of the drink, which has achieved considerable popularity and recognition for its medicinal qualities

Industrial production of borovička based on distilling fermented juniper mash was pioneered here

More than 100 years ago, this method was used to produce a drink called "Trenčianska borovička"

We Have a Borovička Patent

Production Technology of
"Trenčianska Borovička"

🌿

Fermenting the ground juniper berries

⚗️

Extracting organic matter from fermented mash

🔥

First distillation & oil separation

✨

Second distillation & maturing

💧

Adding quality grain alcohol

🍾

Bottling & labelling

At OLD HEROLD, we use more than 100 tonnes of dried juniper berries per year for the production of our borovička.
SO SIMPLE AND STILL EXCEPTIONAL. FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY!

Our Range

Juniperus Spirit — Pure Distilled

Dr. Ing. Václav Stuchlík

1899 – 1978

A leading mycologist and expert in yeast production and distilling, he published studies on fermentation technology and drew attention to the uniqueness of borovička. He worked in the First Slovak Factory for Yeast, Alcohol and Cooking Oils — today's OLD HEROLD — from its foundation in the 1930s until the 1960s.

Juniperus Pure Distillate is the heart of Trenčín's borovička production.

Juniperus Pure Distillate

49.5% vol.

CharacterIntense, pine sap, cloves

ColourTranslucid

NosePine needle, citrus, geranium, rose, light turpentine

PalatePine sap umami, naphtha, minty, forest berries

FinishCitrus, grapefruit, lavender, lauarel, paradise

Empty glassJuniper, cedar, pine needle

Juniperus

40% vol.

Founded1905

Trademark1936 (Czechoslovakia)

OriginIGP No. 46, 1967 Geneva

EU MarkJUNIPERUS® 2016

ColourTranslucid

NoseWoody, resinous, piney, gardenia, anise, grappe

PalateHoney, juniper, camphor, herbal

FinishJuniper berries, gum, laurel, minty, paradise

Koniferum

37.5% vol.

ProducerPrvá slovenská továreň na likéry, Slovlik

Founded1920

StyleFinely balanced, bespoke flavouring, oil separated at first distillation

ColourClear

AromaJunipers, essential oils, fruity, spicy

TasteSmooth, warm juniper, light essential oil

FinishPeppery, mint, mango, cloves, paradise

We Have a Borovička Patent… and We Know How to Make a Gin

Production Technology — Gin Type London Dry

🌱

Macerating 3 types of herbs & junipers

⚗️

Distilling 2 types of distillates

🔄

Unification & maturing

💧

Adding quality fine alcohol

🍾

Equalization, bottling & "London Dry" labelling

Botanicals

Common Juniper Wormwood Lemon Peel Angelica Archangelica Cardamom Liquorice Coriander Bearded Iris Orange Peel

Juniperus Gin

Original producer: 1969, Slovlik š.p. závod 01 Trenčín

40% vol.

Combining two slowly distilled macerates from a juniper base, herbs and spices. London Dry type (no added sugar).

Attribute	Profile
Color	Translucid
Nose	Soft floral and fruity on rose, juniper, orange and lemon peel
Palate	Rich on juniper berry and soft spices with coriander seed and citrus notes
Finish	Long on pine sap and juniper berries
Empty glass	Fresh, citrus and juniper

Soft floral and fruity gin intense on juniper berry and citrus.

There would be no borovička,if there were no junipers