Beylerbeyi Teragold

Beylerbeyi Teragold is a Turkish raki that pairs traditional production with a wood-rested character, made from selected grape suma and aromatic aniseed and bottled at 45% in a 35cl bottle. It is triple-distilled in the traditional way, the grape spirit combined with aniseed and given a special maturation that lends fine wood nuances. Raki is an anise spirit rather than a sweet liqueur, and turns milky when water is added, the cloud the Turks call lion's milk.

The nose is aniseed, grape spirit, fine wood and light spice, the palate full-bodied and harmonious with aniseed, subtle grape notes and gentle woody nuances, the finish soft and aromatic with lingering aniseed and spice. Its traditional serve is well chilled and cut roughly half and half with cold still water, which raises the milky cloudiness, though it also takes ice or stands neat. At the table it belongs among meze, grilled fish and shared Mediterranean plates. Serve it cold and let the table take its time.