Vinjak (Serbia)
Serbia · Brandy
Made by the Serbian company Rubin since 1957 (privatised in 2005) — previously sold as “konjak” until stricter Cognac-name laws forced a rename. Wine is distilled to 67–70% ABV, aged several months to years in 500-litre oak casks, then cut with distilled water to 40%. Between 4.8 and 5.5 million litres are produced annually, graded like French cognac: V.S., 5 V.S.O.P. and XO — and it remains widely popular across generations in Serbia.