Yeni Raki Uzun Demleme

Yeni Raki Uzun Demleme is a bottling from Yeni Raki, one of the best known raki brands in Turkey, sharing the anise character of Greek ouzo and French pastis. It is made from dried, fermented grapes that are distilled and flavoured with aniseed seeds, with the distillation carried out in two steps and the first using selected Anatolian grape varieties to set the aroma. The name Uzun Demleme points to a careful, longer distillation, and the spirit is bottled at 45% ABV.

The data carries no separate tasting note, but the makeup points to a clean, aniseed forward spirit with a soft liquorice sweetness. Like all raki it louches, turning milky white when water is added, the effect that earns it the name lion's milk. Behind the bar that makes it the base of the traditional raki serve, a tall glass with cold water and ice sipped slowly. It belongs at the table, classically taken with meze, white cheese and melon. Serve it long with chilled water and ice, and let it cloud in the glass before drinking.