This heavenly spirit that is not quite a brandy or a cognac yet takes you on a journey to Greece that you will want to re-take time and time again. Our primary audience is from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Europe, although we have readers from as far away as Mauritius! The Metaxa Brandy Collection Star rating represents the minimum number of years the spirit has aged in the barrel. It is made from the same blend of fine wine distillates, brandy, and muscat wines as the other two expressions, but it is aged in oak casks for at least twelve years.

Marketed as ‘the smoothest amber spirit under the sun’, Metaxa is very flavorful, with a touch of sweetness and citrus notes. He created the first Greek brandy and was involved in the foundation of the first distillation facility in 1888, a little over 50 years after the Greek War of Independence. Metaxa Greek Spirit 7 Stars– Still flowery, but more complex, with cinnamon and coffee notes on the front of the palate.The rose petals are distinct, but they are balanced by modest vanilla, citrus peel, and lemon notes.

Metaxa 5 Star is aged in oak casks for at least five years, and it has a mellow flavor that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other drinks. There are cheaper bottles that taste better and many far better bottles for only a few more dollars/euros/pounds.Metaxa sent us the 5 Star and 7 Star bottlings — leaving the entry-level 3 Star behind — for us to kick the tires on. The time spent in the heavily toasted casks brings out more pronounced oaky and smoky notes to the distillates and, ultimately, to the spirit. The House of Metaxa was founded by a Greek merchant and entrepreneur named Spyros Metaxas, born on the island of Euboea. The body is on the thin side — this is a 78 proof spirit — which leaves plenty of room for those rose petals to come on strong again on the finish.