Ouzo of Plomari Adolo

Appearance (neat): Perfectly clear. Appearance (diluted): Opaque white. Nose: The dominant scents are liquorice and anise, as anticipated. A floral top note is present, but surprisingly less pronounced than in the standard Ouzo of Plomari; this version appears less complex. Taste and Texture (neat): Intense anise and liquorice, yet again lacking the complexity I'd anticipated. The mouthfeel is more restrained than the standard offering. Taste and Texture (diluted): Intriguing. It remains sweet (sweeter than most other ouzos) but also somewhat detached, possessing the same restraint as the neat palate. The texture is unremarkable, though the finish is noteworthy. Absolutely no harshness, delivering a clean, crisp distillate right to the final hints of the aftertaste. I was quite impressed by the standard Ouzo of Plomari a few months ago, enough to purchase another bottle which I recently finished. To replace it, I acquired this “Adolo” expression, advertised as the “heart of Plomari,” being triple distilled and likely from a narrow heart cut. I expected the familiar Plomari character but with enhanced delicacy and nuance, but it's not quite that. This offering is best described as the standard Plomari blended 50/50 with a fine grain vodka. It has a crisp, crystalline quality that is certainly refined, but I do miss the robust sugars and aromas of the standard Plomari. The standard Ouzo of Plomari is easily enjoyed neat as a liqueur, and when diluted, its almost gin-like aroma is very pleasing. This one, however, doesn't captivate me as much. In fairness, this is likely a better ouzo for pairing with food. “Good”: 83/100 (3.5 stars)