When it comes to consumer goods these days, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that bottled water is the new black, with sales records being reached year after year across the globe. This makes it all the more difficult to stand out from the competition, but Macedonia's market leader and oldest producer, Pelisterka, does just that. How? Well, at the risk of sounding superficial, for us the most important aspect is purely an aesthetic one, as we're quite fond of both the design of the bottles and the font on the labelling, especially the sparkling water that comes in striking dark green glass bottles. It also probably doesn't hurt that they've made Severina, one of the region's most famous personalities, their brand ambassador. Subjective visual elements and celebrity endorsements aside, Pelisterka's technical specifications and history are also an important part of the story. Bottled near Bitola in the far south of Macedonia, the water originates from a spring in the Pelister National Park, which itself is the oldest and second largest national park in the country, taking its name from the 2,601m Mount Pelister. With diverse flora and fauna that include bears, deer, eagles, chamois and even wolves calling it home, the park is one of the most idyllic destinations in the region, and thanks to the unique geological makeup of the rocky terrain, the water that emanates from the spring possesses a special chemical composition and is said to have certain medicinal properties. For our less health-conscious readers, Pelistirka also produces a variety of fizzy drinks, juices and other beverages.