Ouzo of Plomari

Appearance (neat): Perfectly clear. Appearance (watered): Turns milky white. Smell: Primarily liquorice and anise scents, with a subtle fragrant complexity beneath. It offers a very pleasing, almost gin-like fragrance. Taste and Feel (neat): Sweet and rich, focusing on liquorice and anise, yet fennel is also present. The texture is substantial, smooth, and dense. It leans sweet but isn't excessively syrupy. The finish is of moderate duration, gradually losing some sweetness. Taste and Feel (watered): The sweetness persists, but dilution reveals spicier notes, akin to white pepper, and greater depth. While my experience with ouzos isn't exhaustive, I've had enough to form a solid comparison, and this is undoubtedly the most immediately inviting ouzo I've encountered. It significantly surpasses the common, inexpensive mass-market varieties that are essentially just anise extract in alcohol. To be fair, the sugar content places this closer to a liqueur than a standard spirit. Sugar often makes the palate more receptive and pleasant, but there's more here than simple sweetness; a complex herbal undertone is noticeable, especially when diluted. My initial tasting was neat, followed by adding a large ice cube and swirling until it louched. Finally, I added a bit of iced water (with substantial ice remaining) to create a longer drink at approximately 10% ABV. It performed exceptionally well in all these preparations. Served neat, it functions as a fine liqueur. Diluted to roughly the alcohol level of table wine, it transforms into a crisp, refreshing, yet still full-bodied beverage that I could see pairing wonderfully with seafood. Without a doubt, this is the finest ouzo I've sampled, and it's the first and only one I'd consider stocking for specific occasions. It holds its own against superior French pastis, which is high praise, and offers excellent value for its cost. Strongly endorsed. For anyone curious about ouzo but new to it, this is the clear and best starting point. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)

An elegant anise liqueur from the Isidoros Arvanitis distillery in Plomari on the Greek island of Lesbos. It possesses an aromatic beginning with notes of herbs and spices, leading to a rich journey and a warm, medium-length finish. November 2016

A powerful anise flavor, though enjoyable for those fond of it. Quite potent.

Wow, licorice. My first experience with Ouzo. This is risky.

My younger self would have appreciated it more.