Beylerbeyi Mavi

Beylerbeyi Mavi is a Turkish raki made in the classic Yeni Raki style from grape spirit and aromatic aniseed, bottled at 45% in a 35cl bottle. The grapes come from selected growing regions in the Aegean, where the conditions suit grape distillate, and the raw material quality and the distillation sit at the centre of the bottling. Raki is an anise spirit, not a sweet liqueur, and turns milky when water is added, the cloud the Turks call lion's milk.

The nose is fresh aniseed, grape spirit and fine herbal notes, the palate full-bodied and aromatic with aniseed, mild grape notes and a balanced spiciness, the finish harmonious, soft and lingering with aniseed. Its traditional serve is with cold water to bring up the cloudiness, or chilled neat or over ice. It is built for the Turkish table, pairing with meze, grilled fish, seafood, feta, olives, grilled vegetables and aubergine, as well as lamb and kebabs. Serve it well chilled alongside food.