A CENTURY-OLD BRANDY STILL: THE SPIRIT OF TRADITION LIVES ON IN SOKOLAC

In the quiet hamlet of Brezjak near Sokolac, a century-old copper still continues to produce one of the region's most beloved spirits—plum brandy, or šljivovica—reviving memories, preserving tradition, and warming hearts with every drop.

PHOTO: SRNA

The still, owned by Vukan Pejić, has been in use for more than 100 years and stands as a living relic of family heritage and rural resilience. Though its capacity is modest—only 50 liters—it has yielded tons of rakija over the decades. Generations have gathered around the still, singing folk songs and roasting potatoes in the fire’s embers while waiting for the first drops, affectionately known as bašica, to drip from the copper pipe.

The still's legacy dates back to the aftermath of World War I. Vukan's grandfather, a volunteer soldier at the Salonika Front and one of six surviving brothers from a family of nine fighters, returned to his war-ravaged village of Sabanci on the Nišići plateau. Rebuilding his home and orchard, he eventually ordered the copper still from a renowned coppersmith’s shop in Sarajevo’s historic Baščaršija district. The workshop’s bilingual sign, “Blagojević,” still stands—one of the few surviving Cyrillic signs in the city.

NATURAL FRUIT, PURE BRANDY

In the years following the war, fruit thrived naturally without chemical protection, and the resulting plum harvests were abundant. Though the exact purchase date is uncertain, family records suggest the still was acquired between 1921 and 1923—making it definitively older than Vukan’s oldest uncle, Slavko, born in 1924.

Remarkably preserved, the still has survived two world wars and countless political upheavals. Its copper interior shines like new, a testament to the craftsmanship and careful maintenance over generations. Rakija distilled in this still has always been praised for its clarity, smoothness, and quality.

Importantly, the still was never used commercially. It served only the Pejić family and close relatives, producing brandy exclusively from plums—never from other fruits.

THE PIPE THAT DEFIED COMMUNISM

After World War II, under communist rule, steep taxes were imposed on distillation equipment, especially targeting those perceived as ideologically opposed to the regime. In a quiet act of defiance, Vukan’s uncle Slavko—an unyielding Serbian patriot and former member of the Chetnik movement—deliberately pierced the copper pipe with a knife, rendering the still technically unusable and helping the family avoid paying the heavy tax.

Yet even this setback did not halt production. In secret, the damaged pipe was temporarily sealed with a thick layer of dough, preventing alcohol vapors from escaping and allowing rakija to condense and flow as usual—under the noses of unsuspecting authorities.

When the oppressive regulations were eventually repealed, the pipe was repaired, and the still returned to full use—bearing its “communist scars” with pride. Today, it continues to distill only plum brandy, its copper still vibrant and functional thanks to high-quality materials and diligent care.

A FAMILY MARKED BY WAR AND SACRIFICE

The Pejić family has long been shaped by sacrifice. Vukan Pejić's grandfather was one of 30 close relatives forcibly conscripted into the Austro-Hungarian army during World War I. Thirteen of them perished, inspiring a local song in their memory: “Pejića je 13 brata poginulo Prvog rata” (“Thirteen Pejić brothers died in the First War”).

Among them, Božo, Ostoja, and Dimšo were killed during the breakthrough of the Salonika Front. Jerkan died in a Romanian camp in Arad. The rest fell on various battlefields or were executed in mass reprisals against Serbs—their graves never found.

Yet amidst tragedy, there were stories of survival. Petar escaped from the Arad camp and walked home. Dušan and Niko defected from the Austro-Hungarian army to fight alongside the Russians in Dobruja, suffering injuries before recuperating in Odessa. They returned to Sabanci in 1919—most of the journey made on foot.

Six Pejić brothers—Vukan, Vaso, Savo, Kojo, Milo, and Aleksa—returned home as victors. After liberating Serbia and contributing to the creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, they resumed humble lives, rebuilding their homes and farms without seeking privilege or reward.

A STILL THAT BREATHES HISTORY

Today, Vukan Pejić continues the legacy. The still not only distills plum brandy—it distills history, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of a family and a people.

In a time of fast change and forgotten roots, this century-old still in Sokolac reminds us that tradition is not just preserved in museums, but in the living rituals of everyday life—in copper pipes, sweet plums, old songs, and the quiet resilience of those who refuse to forget.