Metaxa

Born in 1848 in Greece, Spyros Metaxa was a descendant of a family of silk merchants. His first foray into business was in the trade of fine goods. During his professional travels, he was exposed to a number of different spirits and wines from all around the world. Spirits of his time tended to be harsh on the palate, without much aroma or character. Spyros Metaxa wanted a smoother drink and created Metaxa in 1888.

Aided by his brothers, Elias and Alexander, Spyros Metaxa built his first distillery in 1888 in Piraeus, the port of Athens. The "Salamina Warrior", the Metaxa emblem, is said to have been inspired by a medallion found in the foundations of the distillery.

Metaxa became a commercial success, started being exported to countries across the Mediterranean, and in 1900 was exported to the US.

In 1968, the distillery and the Metaxa cellars were relocated to new facilities in Athens' northern suburb of Kifissia where they are today.

Although it was first compared to a Cognac, and later to a brandy, Metaxa is not classified in either of these spirit categories due to the presence of the Muscat wines and the Mediterranean botanicals.

The company's current Metaxa master, the equivalent of a master distiller or master blender, Constantinos Raptis, is the fifth since 1888. For more than 25 years, he has overseen the entire production process.

Raptis selects Muscat wines from Samos for aromatic concentration and intensity, and wine distillates for their character. The wine distillates and Muscat wines are aged separately, until he decides they are ready to be combined in Limousin oak casks. Mediterranean botanicals are added as the final touch.

The island of Samos is in the Eastern Mediterranean. The highest mountain is Mount Ambelos (1,160m). Ampelos means "vine" in Greek. Here the slopes of the mountain are covered in vineyards, mainly of the Muscat grape. Grapes are cultivated in terraces and hand-picked.

Muscat grapes grow well in few places around the world. Warm sun, a tough mineral soil and rainfall at the right times of year are all part of the island's natural life. Samos produces some of the most aromatic wines in the world.

• Metaxa 5 Stars: floral, intended to be served neat, on ice or in long drinks.
• Metaxa 7 Stars: fruity, served neat, on ice or in cocktails.
• Metaxa 12 Stars: the company's flagship product, intended to be served neat, with a single piece of ice, or in cocktails.
• Metaxa Grande Fine: sold in a porcelain bottle created by a Greek designer, served neat or on ice.
• Metaxa Private Reserve: The creation of Constantinos Raptis in 1992. Created once a year, in a single batch, served neat.
• Metaxa Angels' Treasure: aged for decades, aromatic, served neat.
• Metaxa AEN Cask No 1: In 2008, to celebrate its 120th anniversary, a mix of over 200 blends drawn from Cask No. 1 named after Spyros Metaxa. Sold in crystal decanters, served neat.
• Metaxa AEN Cask No 2: In 2018, to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the company, Metaxa released 130 decanters of blends from "The Family of Original Casks", brought in from the first distillery in Piraeus.

• Metaxa 5 Stars - Wine Enthusiast, 87 Points: "Best buy, very good, recommended".
• Metaxa 7 Stars – Drinks International Cocktail Challenge, Metaxa Ginger Sour, Bronze Medal
• Metaxa 12 Stars – IWSC Silver and Bronze Medals, ISC Bronze Medal, USC 86 Points
• Metaxa Private Reserve– Wine Enthusiast, 87 Points: "Very good, recommended".
• Metaxa Angels' Treasure – The Spirits Master Gold Medal

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