L'Arack de Musar Arak
L'Arack de Musar Arak is Lebanon's answer to anise spirits — a 106-proof (53% ABV) arak in a 750mL bottle from the legendary Chateau Musar winery in the Bekaa Valley. Made from grape spirit with an average age of five years, it is distilled four times — one more than tradition demands — with fragrant local anise seeds added at the final distillation, then matured a year in terracotta amphorae that enrich the liquorice character. Crystal clear in the bottle, it louches to milky white when water is added, the classic ritual. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 106 proof (53% ABV) — 750mL
- Process: grape spirit (avg. 5 years old), 4x distilled; anise at the final pass
- Aging: 1 year in terracotta amphorae
- Producer: Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon — winemaking since 1930
- Style: dry Lebanese arak — intense anise, long and clean
Four Distillations of Anise
Chateau Musar made its name with red wines of impossible longevity; L'Arack de Musar applies the same obsessive craft to Lebanon's national spirit. The fourth distillation and amphora rest deliver an arak of unusual purity — star anise and fennel up front, a silky, almost sweet mid-palate, and an exceptionally long, dry liquorice finish. Explore more brandy and grape spirits or see the full Chateau Musar range at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Intense and clean — star anise, fennel, and fresh liquorice on the nose with a hint of eucalyptus; silky and smooth on the palate despite the strength, deep aniseed and liquorice through the middle; a long, clean, dry finish of lingering liquorice warmth (per importer and retailer notes).
How to Enjoy
The Lebanese ritual: one part arak to two parts ice-cold water over ice ("breaking"), served with mezze. It also drinks neat as a digestif, or as a bold base in anise-forward cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is arak?
A traditional Levantine spirit distilled from grapes and flavored with aniseed — the cousin of ouzo and pastis.
Why does it turn cloudy with water?
The anise oils emulsify when diluted ("louching") — proof of real anise content, and the proper way to serve it.
What is the ABV?
53% ABV (106 proof) — a strong, dry pour.
Lebanon in a glass — order L'Arack de Musar Arak online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.