As with brandy, there are numerous ages of Metaxa available, from three years to 30. It doesn’t indicate this on the label — typically indicating a number of “stars” instead — and those stars don’t actually correspond to the number of years the initial brandy is kept in cask. (Rather, they refer to the number of base wines and spirits that go into each blend.) The reserve bottlings offer a little more info (and higher price tags) as they get older and older. The Metaxa Private Reserve is the Master Blenders’ personal blend only made once a year, while the Metaxa Angels’ Treasure is ‘what the angels have left behind’. The final bottle in the collection is to celebrate the 130th anniversary of Metaxa with the brandies from the original casts. There is a significant difference in taste, because while the unique Metaxa flavor is there throughout, there is a certain smoothness and clarity added by the maturation process, not unlike the improvements you get when you age normal brandy or even whiskey. The greater the age, the more complex the flavors are and the more enjoyable the drink will be. Metaxa 3

It’s really all down to preference and budget. If you have the money for it and you enjoy a more refined spirit, then Metaxa 12 will suit. If you’re not an experienced brandy drinker then you might be happy with 3, as is the case if you don’t want to spend much money. For me, Metaxa 5 is usually enough to enjoy the great taste without blowing the bank, while Metaxa 7 strikes the perfect balance between cost and taste for when I want to splash out a little. Where to Find Metaxa in GreeceMetaxa is a Greek amber-coloured spirit created in 1888 by Spyros Metaxa. Officially not brandy or cognac, Metaxa is a blend of Muscat wine and aged brandies (wine distillates) combined in Limousin oak casks. Mediterranean botanicals are added to the finishing process for additional aroma and taste. What Does Metaxa Taste Like? Metaxa 5 is when this drink really starts to come to life. Despite a difference of just two years in age, there is a huge difference in taste and this is typically recommended as the best starting point to truly experience this drink. Metaxa 7 This stunning Private Reserve is blended from the finest brandies, Muscats, and botanicals that have reached their peak in both aroma and taste. The manufactures don’t give up their secrets easily. What we know for certain is that no chemicals are used and only natural ingredients are added, with extracts and tinctures potentially used to potentiate the flavor of specific herbs.

This pinnacle of Metaxa excellence contains blends from the original casks first used in the original distillery in Piraeus. These casks have been under the protection of the Metaxa Master for five generations. There is a fruit taste to it and notes of citrus, which suggests the use of something like orange blossom or orange oil. There is also a floral taste, imparted both by the rose petals and potentially something like jasmine. Really though, it’s all speculation and no one except the few who make it know what goes into Metaxa. What Are the Different Types of Metaxa?

Metaxa tastes much like a cognac or brandy. Depending on the age of the Metaxa, it brings flavours of dried fruits, honey, caramel, dark chocolate, and oak with a smooth and flavoursome finish. Is Metaxa A Brandy? The Metaxa Brandy Collection Star rating represents the minimum number of years the spirit has aged in the barrel. 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. What Is Metaxa? Some people will call Metaxa a brandy, because of the mixture of distilled wines and other additives that create the blend. This spirit uses only wines and ingredients from the Aegean Sea area, making it a truly Greek brandy. Metaxa 5 Star: Metaxa 5 Star is the flagship product of the Metaxa brand. It is a smooth, mellow spirit made from a blend of fine wine distillates, brandy, and muscat wines. 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. You will pay very little for Metaxa in local bars and restaurants, with the 5 and 7 versions priced around the same as the most basic of whiskey and vodka imports. The 12 is a little more expensive of course, but there’s no better place to enjoy it as this drink is cheaper in Greece than it is in any other country.