Arak Brun Special Reserve
Arak Brun Special Reserve is a 750mL Lebanese arak bottled at 53% ABV (106 proof), the limited-edition bottling from Domaine des Tourelles in Chtaura, Bekaa Valley. It starts exactly where the standard Brun starts — grape alcohol and fresh anise, three-stage distillation in alembic stills — then rests five years in old clay jars in the domaine's hundred-year-old cellar, where the standard bottle rests one. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 53% (106 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Origin: Domaine des Tourelles, Chtaura, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
- Base: Grape alcohol and fresh anise (domaine copy names estate Obeidi and Cinsault grapes)
- Distillation: Three-stage distillation in alembic stills
- Aging: 5 years in old clay jars
- Edition: Limited edition, per the domaine
Five Years in Clay: The Reserve Elie Issa Built
Domaine des Tourelles has made arak at Chtaura since Francois-Eugene Brun founded it in 1868, but the long-aged reserve is a modern idea: the domaine credits Elie Issa with creating the Special Reserve as, in its words, the first arak ever aged five years in clay jars — an extra-premium, limited-edition expression of the house spirit. Four extra years in clay over the standard bottling is the whole recipe difference; everything else — the Bekaa grapes, the fresh anise (much of it domaine-grown at Deir el Ahmar since 2015), the alembics, the unsweetened style — is shared. Both bottlings sit side by side on the Arak Brun vendor page and in our spirits collection.
Tasting Notes
The domaine characterises the Special Reserve only as an extra-premium bottling with a uniquely smooth taste — it publishes no note-by-note palate for it, and neither does the importer. Expect the standard Brun's licorice-like anise character, rounded by the longer clay rest; anything more specific in circulation is retailer invention, not producer copy.
How to Enjoy
With water and ice and a mezze spread, like the standard — or poured a little leaner on water than usual, so the five-year softness stays in front. Compare the two ages in our spirits collection and our liqueurs collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Special Reserve special?
Time in clay: five years in old clay jars against the standard Arak Brun's one year. Producer, ABV (53%), base and distillation are otherwise the same, per the importer's two tech sheets.
Is there a 10-year Arak Brun?
Yes — the domaine also sells a separate 10YO Special Reserve, always titled with its age. This listing is the (untitled-age) Special Reserve, which the US importer documents at five years.
Who created the Special Reserve?
The domaine credits Elie Issa of the Issa family, the domaine's current stewards, with creating it as the first arak aged five years in clay jars.
Five quiet years in Bekaa clay — order Arak Brun Special Reserve online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.