Metaxa 7 Stars

Nose: Brandy, candied orange peel, hints of violet and rose. A subtle tobacco scent appears after it sits in the glass for a bit. Palate: Arrives with sweet grape juice, developing into raisin flavors with a touch of white pepper. The texture starts full and rounded but thins out as it progresses, leaning slightly towards sourness. Finish: Medium length. Spiced dried fruits with a mildly peppery, tannic aftertaste that concludes with sweetness. It's been many years since my last encounter with Metaxa. A few months ago, while exploring a Greek market, I came across this and decided it was time for a revisit. Metaxa is readily available here, yet it's not something I typically reach for. It's not as captivating as I remembered, but it's not unpleasant either. It simply feels a bit underwhelming now, with two distinct elements present. There's a clear brandy character, but it doesn't strike me as a superior example of the spirit, reminding me of a common hospital-grade brandy. It's accompanied by a rosé-tinted, dusky fortified wine that adds sweetness but surprisingly little body. Perhaps it's the low alcohol content, or maybe I just prefer the weight of undiluted wines like muscat, port, or sherry these days. These components seem oddly separate, though balanced. It's worth a taste, but I'll likely use the remainder for cooking and doubt I'll purchase it again. It's just not particularly special. “Average”: 78/100 (2.75 stars)

Review #20 - Brandy / Cognac #3 Nose: Fragrant with floral notes, citrus (orange), and stone fruit (apricots); a very pleasing and prominent aroma. Palate: Sweet, with honey, intensely floral, and very fruity, reminiscent of orange marmalade, all with an oily texture. Finish: Hints of dry oak, medium (perhaps medium-long) in duration, with a surprisingly rich mouthfeel. It's also remarkably smooth. This is considerably better than I recall, leading me to suspect that oxidation (with little brandy remaining in the bottle) may have mellowed the spirit and intensified the flavors.

A distinguished Brandy from Metaxa Distillery in Greece, created by blending brandy and wine. It features grape varieties like Savatiano, Black Corinth, and Sultana, along with Muscat wine from the islands of Samos and Lemnos, and a proprietary mixture of Mediterranean herb and floral essences; it was matured in both medium and heavily toasted French Limousin oak barrels. It greets you with an aromatic profile of fruit, wood, flowers, nuts, herbs, and spices; its rich character then introduces notes of ripe peaches, prunes, dark raisins, and orange zest, culminating in a medium-length sweet finish with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and coffee.

Sweet right away, with sugar-coated prune, caramel, blackberries, a hint of wood, and notes of brown sugar. A noticeable herbal flavor appears later in the finish, which has a vanilla/green/clove taste. The finish is surprisingly short and smooth. This is certainly a sweet and rich spirit, and a distinctive type of brandy. It does pair well with tonic water, as one of the prior reviewers mentioned.

I'm just beginning to explore brandies, and Metaxa is the ideal starting point. A genuine delight and surprise when the intricate, creamy blend of herbs and fruits first hits the taste buds. Subsequent sips merely confirm that initial encounter. For me, it was instant affection. I find the price under 30 euros for 1000ml to be a great deal considering the brandy's quality.

A fine brandy made from Moschato wine in Greece. The dominant flavors are dried apricot, followed by raisins and figs, with honey and caramel. It has a medium body and length, and is a bit too sweet for me to drink straight. However, it mixes exceptionally well with tonic water, making for a much more enjoyable experience for my palate.