Babatzim Tsipouro

Aroma: Quite like vodka, a hint of vanilla but lacking depth. Not a particularly engaging scent. Taste: Mild vanilla and faint herbal/woody notes, but nothing remarkable. The texture is neutral. Aftertaste: Brief. The straightforward sweetness of alcohol, but credit where it's due, there were no harsh or metallic notes. Following my recent assessment of Katsaros tsipouro (which was quite good and I believe among the better spirits of its kind), I decided to sample a more affordable brand for comparison. This serving provided that context and demonstrated that not all tsipouro is created equal. The superior brands are comparable to a fine eau-de-vie, but this is a harsher spirit meant for mixing or taking as shots. I wasn't particularly impressed. “Adequate”: 70/100 (2 stars)

Tsipouro is a straightforward, unrefined spirit, and it's challenging to rate it on the same 1-5 star scale as, for instance, an aged scotch. However, for Tsipouro, this is a solid introductory option. Clear and smooth tasting, its full flavor makes it a good partner for meat.

Potent and strong. It will cleanse your system quite rapidly. Served in pitchers at the end of meals in many Greek restaurants. Enjoyable in a group setting and slightly more palatable than inexpensive vodka.