Yeni Raki 1937

Yeni Raki 1937 is a bottling of Yeni Raki, one of Turkey's best known raki brands and an anise spirit that stands as the national drink. It is made in Anatolia from selected grape varieties, aniseed and soft spring water, distilled and flavoured so that the aniseed leads, and poured here at 45% ABV in a half size 35cl format. Raki sits in the same anise family as Greek ouzo and French pastis.

This bottle carries no separate tasting note, but its build points to a clean, aniseed driven spirit with a gently sweet liquorice edge. Its signature is the louche, when water is added the spirit turns milky white, the effect behind raki's nickname of lion's milk. Behind the bar that makes it the heart of the classic raki serve, a tall glass with cold water and ice taken slowly over a meal. It is a table spirit by tradition, drunk alongside meze, white cheese and melon. Serve it long with chilled water and ice, and let it cloud before the first sip.