Third HunDeszt Pálinka Competetion draws record number of entries

The HunDeszt Pálinka Competetion was held in Miskolc for the third time and saw a record number of samples submitted by Hungarian pálinka producers and international distillers. The 25 competing distillers provided a total of 224 samples, including some from Hungarian ethnic minorities in Slovakia, Transylvania and Voivodina. Commercial distilleries performed well, and private fruit growers also had plenty to offer.

The two-day competition was held on November 22 and 23. On the first day, two individual judges and five groups of three judges sampled the pálinka, with a panel of top judges resolving any disputes. On the second day, the judges selected Champion pálinkas from the field of 60 gold medal winners.

The Prekop Distillery provided the venue for this year's event, which was organised by the Hungarian Distillers' Association with the support of the Hungarian Agricultural Marketing Centre  (AMC).

The official prize-giving gala will be held on December 5 at the Palace of Arts in Budapest.