Spirit
Rakı
Rakı is the anise-flavoured national spirit of Turkey, a clear, high-strength grape distillate redistilled with aniseed that turns a cloudy, milky white when water or ice is added — the louche that earns it the affectionate name aslan sutu, or lion's milk. Related to Greek ouzo, Levantine arak and French pastis, it is set apart by its grape base and by a table culture that binds it to slow evenings of meze and conversation.
Dry & cleanSpirit-forward
At a glance
Signature
Anise & Fennel
Liquorice
Strength
Spirit-forward
by taste profile
Clear, dry and intensely aromatic, rakı leads with a wave of anise, fennel and sweet liquorice, the anethole giving a cooling, almost menthol lift over a faint raisined-grape sweetness beneath. Cut with water it blooms into an opaque, milky white and softens, the aromatics fanning out and the alcohol burn falling back. The palate is dry and warming at around 40 to 50 percent, unoaked and clean, with a long liquorice-and-fennel finish that leaves the mouth faintly cool and lightly peppery.
Taste balance
BitternessMedium
SmoothBitter
StrengthStrong
LightStrong