Arak Abou Akl
Arak Abou Akl is a 750mL Lebanese arak bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof), made in Mtein, Lebanon, from fermented grapes and aniseed — the product of a family distillery whose trademark dates to 1935. Brand history carried by retailers credits founder Moussa Abi Akl with beginning grape fermentation and arak-making in Mtein in the late 1920s and developing the three-times distillation technique the house still trades on. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 50% (100 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Origin: Mtein, Lebanon
- Base: Fermented grapes with aniseed
- Method: Distilled three times, per brand history carried by retailers
- House: Family distillery; "Arak Abou Akl" trademark dated 1935
A Mtein Family Distillery Since the 1930s
Some arak houses are wineries first; Abou Akl is a village distillery story. Per the brand history repeated across retailers, Moussa Abi Akl began fermenting grapes and making arak in Mtein — a village in Lebanon's Metn district long known for its arak — in the late 1920s, and the trademark "Arak Abou Akl," taken from his village nickname, dates to 1935. Lebanese retail describes the house today as a family-owned and operated distillery with more than 80 years of experience, and the brand remains an established domestic product in Lebanon rather than an export-only label. The arak itself follows the house method from that founding era: grapes fermented and distilled three times with aniseed. Browse the maker's page on the Arak Abou Akl vendor page and more Lebanese arak in our spirits collection.
Tasting Notes
No producer tasting notes for Abou Akl were found in any source, and none are invented here. Retailer descriptions converge on the expected traditional profile for a grape-and-aniseed arak at full strength: pronounced anise and licorice character over a clean grape-spirit base, turning milky white with water.
How to Enjoy
The traditional serve: arak first, then about two parts cold water to one part arak, then ice, with mezze on the table. Find more Levantine anise spirits in our liqueurs collection and across our spirits collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Arak Abou Akl?
A family distillery in Mtein, Lebanon — founded, per brand history carried by retailers, by Moussa Abi Akl, whose "Arak Abou Akl" trademark dates to 1935; the house is described in Lebanese retail as family-owned with 80+ years of experience.
How is Arak Abou Akl made?
From fermented grapes distilled three times with aniseed, per the brand-history copy — the technique the founding story credits to Moussa Abi Akl himself.
How strong is Arak Abou Akl?
The 750mL US bottling is listed at 50% ABV (100 proof) across convergent US retailer specifications.
A village distillery's arak, ninety years on — order Arak Abou Akl online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.