The fruits used for these limited pálinkas must grow in protected regions of special microclimates within Hungary.

Some regions are better suited for a particular fruit in pálinka-making. In addition, it’s mandated that these native fruits can only be used by designated distilleries in a particular region. Because of this—and the amount of fruit needed to produce just one liter of pálinka—there is a limited supply of each batch of pálinka in each of these sub-regions. Due to this limited quantity, many times each bottle is numbered — and sometimes even hand-signed— by the master distillers who make it. 

The map below will give you a breakdown of these protected regions. The regions outlined on the map are where those special native fruit varieties grow in Hungary.  

General EU Protection 

Pálinka is under the protected geographical indication of the EU in Austria: Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria and Vienna states can label their apricot distillate as pálinka. Gape Marc Pálinka is produced exclusively from the grape pomace of Hungarian grown grape.

Regional EU Protection within Hungary

• Plum Pálinka of Békés

• Apricot Pálinka of Gönc

• Apricot Pálinka of Kecskemét

• Apple Pálinka of Szabolcs

• Plum Pálinka of Szatmár

• Sour Cherry Pálinka of Újfehértó

• Quince Pálinka of Madaras (Added in September 2021)

Regional protection by National Law for special regions within Hungary

• Pear Pálinka of Göcsej

• Pomace Pálinka of Pannonhalma

• Plum Pálinka of Nagykunság

• Quince Pálinka of Nagykunság

• Wild Pear Pálinka of Vas

• Peach Pálinka of Homokháti

• Cherry Pálinka of Nagykörű