Gantous & Abou Raad Arak (75cl, 50%)

Gantous & Abou Raad Arak is an anise spirit from Zahle, Lebanon, triple-distilled from fermented white grapes with aniseed and water. The Ghantous family began making arak in Zahle in 1893, and the Ghantous and Abou Raad families joined their names to the bottle in 1946. It is bottled at 50% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The traditional serve is one part arak to two parts cold water, then ice. Nose: clean, bright anise and licorice. Palate: smooth for its strength, with sweet anise over a clean grape-spirit base. Finish: long liquorice warmth, drying at the end.