Fifteen-year-old slivovitz, borovička, or apricot brandy. The well-known Vizovice distillery R. JELÍNEK will supply spirits to the bar at CTP lounge and restaurants
The rooftop bar and restaurant of the national pavilion will feature spirits from the R. JELÍNEK distillery. Founded in 1894, the Vizovice company will supply, among other products, plum and apricot brandies to EXPO 2025. Also featured will be its export flagship – the five-year-old kosher slivovitz, which has been exported abroad for over ninety years.
At the World EXPO, the distillery will offer a selection of its best products, with the iconic five-year-old kosher slivovitz being a highlight. Kosher products have been part of R. JELÍNEK's portfolio since the 1930s, when the founder began successfully exporting them to the USA. The production is overseen by Orthodox Union rabbis, one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. Both the white and golden kosher slivovitz are still made today using the original recipe of the Jelínek brothers.
Visitors of the CTP lounge bar will also find other spirits, such as Slovácká Borovička, Bohemia Apricot (apricot brandy), Cherry liqueur, and the fifteen-year-old Family Reserve Plum Brandy
"This prestigious event will allow us to showcase the rich tradition and exceptional quality of our spirits not only to visitors from around the world but, above all, to Japanese customers, giving them the opportunity to get to know and taste our products more closely," says Pavel Dvořáček, Chairman of the Board of RUDOLF JELÍNEK.
Products from Vizovice are a typical regional offering that far exceeds the borders of Czechia, being exported to over 40 countries worldwide. A significant portion of exports goes to Slovakia, with the United States remaining a traditionally important market. The company also targets exports not only to Germany, Poland, Austria, and the United Kingdom, but also to countries far beyond Europe. Its customers include clients from Israel, Canada, Chile, Australia, China, and notably Japan.
In Japan, the company's brand ambassador, Takeshi Matsuzawa, plays a significant role in promoting the R. JELÍNEK brand. He is helping to raise awareness of Czech fruit spirits and their tradition in this island nation.
"At the World EXPO, we want to present the best of Czech products. Alcohol production has a long tradition in our country. However, Czech beer is more well-known worldwide. But Czechia has much more to offer in this regard, such as excellent wines and, of course, top-quality spirits," says Ondřej Soška, the General Commissioner of Czechia's participation at EXPO 2025.
The Vizovice-based distillery R. JELÍNEK is one of the leading Czech producers of fruit spirits and is currently the largest domestic producer of plums. Its strong position in the local market is mainly due to its traditional recipes and thorough oversight of the production process. The company controls not only the distillation process but also the fruit harvesting and bottling of the finished products.
About RUDOLF JELÍNEK Distillery
R. JELÍNEK is a company specializing in the production of alcoholic beverages, continuing a tradition of over 400 years of distillation in the Wallachia region. The company itself was founded in 1894. Its flagship product is slivovitz, which undergoes a three-stage distillation of matured plum mash and then ages further. The distillery's portfolio also includes other fruit spirits, such as pear brandy and apricot brandy.
In 1934, Rudolf Jelínek began exporting kosher distillates to overseas markets in the USA, a tradition the company continues today. The certified production process adheres to Jewish faith regulations, using only kosher ingredients, equipment, and methods. A rabbi from the certification company oversees the entire process.
Today, RUDOLF JELÍNEK is the largest plum grower in Czechia, with over 200 hectares of orchards. It began planting its own plum trees in 2003, continuing a strong tradition of fruit growing. Since 2008, the company has been harvesting nine different plum varieties, producing not only Vizovice slivovitz but also quality plum jam, dried plums, and lemonade.
About the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025
In December 2022, after more than twenty years, the Office of the Commissioner General announced an open, anonymous architectural competition to design the National Pavilion for EXPO 2025. Thirty-eight studios have participated, and in March 2023 a jury of experts led by the world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning design: a glass spiral by Apropos Architects. The main structure of the building will be made of modern wood panels, while the façade will feature art glass, which has a centuries-old tradition in Czechia. The National Pavilion, which will be located on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay from April to October 2025, will provide a prestigious setting for Czech participation at EXPO 2025. The pavilion will house a permanent exhibition, a multifunctional auditorium, facilities for business meetings, restaurants, a CTP lounge, and a relaxation area overlooking the sea.
About the Czech participation at EXPO 2025
This will be the sixth time that Czechia has taken part in a world exhibition as an independent state. Ondřej Soška, who won the Ministry of Foreign Affairs selection process with his concept and theme "Talent and Creativity for Life", has been serving as Commissioner General since September 2022. Czechia aims to showcase not only what the Japanese already know and admire, such as Czech glass and classical music, but above all Czech innovations, nanotechnologies, promising start-ups and talent from the regions.