METAXA 12 Stars

‘Don’t Drink it, Explore It’ 

I’ve never been asked to explore a drink before but for someone who prefers the challenges of a fine-dining menu to any kind of extreme sport, the chance to review Metaxa 12 stars seemed like the kind of challenge I couldn’t turn down.

If you’ve ever travelled to Greece you will have come across the ubiquitous and iconic Metaxa brandy which alongside Ouzo and Retsina form the Greek Holy Trinity of alcoholic drinks. Greece has sharpened up its alcohol act recently with some terrific wines including rather refined bottles of Retsina, that holiday staple which was too often an excuse for inferior plonk.

So in this context, it’s not surprising that The House of Metaxa is relaunching METAXA 12 Stars,  following the appointment of a new Ambassador for METAXA 12 Stars, Mike Horn who apparently is an explorer who goes to lots of dangerous places. Emboldened by Mike’s bravery I set to and opened the bottle sent for review.

The Metaxa people suggest that the drink should be served neat or with a large cube of ice. Not having an ice pick to hand I gathered a select group of the toughest explorers of the hitherto unmapped zones of alcoholic beverages for a post-Easter lunch tipple.

Poured into a brandy glass the liquid has a deep golden colour. It is sweeter than expected but not unpleasantly so with notes of stewed figs, spiced prunes, honey with a hint of mountain herbs. It’s a really smooth easy drink with a bit of a kick and perfect post-meal delivering a warm glow to all.

The rather handsome bottle bears the emblem of METAXA: a golden Salamina Warrior and makes a fine looking addition to your drinks cabinet.

The newly packaged METAXA 12 Stars Edition is available to purchase at Amazon.com. RRP £30.