Here are a few tips to consider when buying pálinka:

Label

Only those products can be labelled pálinka that are distilled from fruit grown in Hungary and that do not contain additives of any kind. Of course, other drinks can be made using pálinka as their base, but these cannot be sold as pálinka. For example, pálinka with honey added (known colloquially as mézes pálinka) is a popular drink, but the word "pálinka" cannot be used in the product name. The label must also show the alcohol content of the pálinka, which can be no lower than 37.5% by volume. Some cheaper Hungarian products are made from alcohol distilled from sugar with fruit flavouring or pálinka added, but these can no longer carry the pálinka label.

Clarity

Pálinka must be absolutely clear and without sediment. Some varieties are aged in oak casks, which may give them a slight brownish tinge. Others, known as "ágyas" (literally "bedded") pálinkas may contain whole fruits, which can also influence the colour of the drink.

Price

The price of pálinka is also a good indicator of its quality. Half a litre of pálinka is distilled from as many as 17 kilograms of fruit - the more is put in, the more refined flavours and aromas come out. In addition, as a luxury item, alcohol is highly taxed in Hungary. The tax on half a litre of pálinka is at least Ft 700 (€2.70). With both these factors in mind, it is rare to find a good bottle of pálinka in stores for less than Ft 3,000 (€12).

Once you have chosen one of the hundreds of pálinka varieties available, it is important to consume it properly for enjoyment from it.  Click on the "How to enjoy pálinka" menu item to find out more.