Katsaros Tirnavou Ouzo

Smell: Gentle anise, fennel, delicate spices. Refreshing and sharp, you can detect a variety of subtle botanicals. There's a faint, almost floral hint. Taste: Freshly herbaceous and a bit zesty. Clear anise (obviously), licorice, a touch of white pepper, cinnamon, and capsicum. It's more refined and sophisticated than other ouzos I've tried - not nearly as overwhelming with anise. Aftertaste: Moderate. Spiced sweetness. The lingering taste lasts longer than you might initially think. Ouzo is a spirit I've encountered very infrequently before, but I've recently sampled several while visiting Greece. I'll only write about a couple here, but this one warrants special attention. There's a strong likeness among different ouzo brands, and similar to gin, the superior ones possess a subtle and restrained character that allows their complexity to emerge through the dominant flavor. This is certainly true here. When diluted with water, this ouzo produces only a pale cloudiness, indicating fewer oily elements in the distillation. The subdued aroma and taste confirm this. However, this doesn't imply it's weak or thin; it's sophisticated rather than overt and possesses depth. This is produced by the same outfit that makes the tsipouro I recently praised. Essentially, they use their excellent twice-distilled spirit and infuse it with 14 spices and herbs, including fennel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and of course, anise (I'm uncertain if this is achieved through maceration or further distillation). As a side note, I'm not convinced ouzo should be classified as a liqueur. While commonly done, the spirit is much more akin to gin or flavored vodka than any liqueur, and it's typically consumed with food rather than sipped neat in small amounts like a liqueur (though, like pastis, it makes an excellent aperitif). “Good”: 83/100 (3.5 stars)