Arak El Rif Premium Reserve 750ML

Arak El Rif Premium Reserve 750ML is a 70% ABV (140 proof) Lebanese arak blended from four French eaux-de-vie and seven varieties of anise seed. Produced by the Al Kassin family distillery — operating since 1828 — this expression stands among the oldest continuously family-produced araks in the Middle East, distinguished by its unusually complex base spirit and high-proof intensity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 70% (140 proof)  |  Origin: Lebanon  |  Style: Premium Reserve Arak  |  Distillery: Al Kassin Family Distillery (est. 1828)

Production & Heritage

The Al Kassin family has distilled arak in Lebanon since 1828, making their operation one of the longest-running family distilleries in the region. The Premium Reserve begins with four distinct eaux-de-vie imported from France's Cognac region, which are blended with seven carefully selected types of anise seeds. This blend is then triple pot-distilled, a process designed to maximize both clarity and aromatic complexity while preserving the full-bodied character of the grape spirit base. The result is a remarkably high-proof arak that retains smoothness despite its 70% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pronounced anise and sweet grape spirit, followed by subtle herbaceous undertones. A warm, inviting fragrance carries throughout, with none of the harsh alcohol burn one might expect at this proof.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and immediately warming, with deep licorice dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, concentrated grape extract and layers of black tea emerge, giving the spirit notable depth. A faint bitter orange note surfaces at the peak, adding welcome complexity to the anise-forward profile.

Finish: The finish is long-lasting and silky smooth, free of excessive smokiness. Lingering licorice and dried herb notes taper gradually, leaving a clean, warming sensation.

How to Drink El Rif Premium Reserve

Traditional Lebanese service calls for mixing arak roughly one part spirit to two parts cold water, which triggers the characteristic milky-white louche as the anise oils emulsify. Ice is then added to the diluted mixture — never directly to the neat spirit, as this can cause uneven crystallization of oils. The Premium Reserve's 70% ABV makes it especially well-suited to this ritual, as it retains bold flavor even after significant dilution.

Beyond the classic water serve, the spirit works in an Arak Sour (a Levantine twist on the whiskey sour with lemon juice and simple syrup, where the anise provides a natural herbal backbone); a Mediterranean Mule (substituting arak for vodka, where the licorice and ginger beer create an unexpectedly harmonious pairing); and a Licorice Negroni variation (replacing gin with arak, whose botanical intensity stands up to Campari's bitterness).

Best For

• Hosting a traditional Lebanese mezze dinner with friends and family
• Gifting to a spirits collector interested in historic Middle Eastern distillates
• Exploring high-proof anise spirits beyond pastis and ouzo
• Adventurous cocktail experimentation with an arak base

Frequently Asked Questions

What does El Rif Premium Reserve taste like? It is a full-bodied, warming arak dominated by deep licorice and grape extract, with secondary notes of black tea and faint bitter orange on a silky-smooth, long-lasting finish.

How does El Rif Premium Reserve compare to Ksarak? Both are triple-distilled Lebanese araks prized for clarity of flavor, but El Rif Premium Reserve is bottled at a notably higher 70% ABV and uses a blend of four Cognac-region eaux-de-vie as its base, giving it a richer, more full-bodied profile than Ksarak's comparatively lighter style.

Is El Rif Premium Reserve good for sipping neat? Due to its 70% ABV, neat sipping is intense and best reserved for experienced spirit drinkers; the traditional and recommended serve is diluted roughly 1:2 with cold water and ice, which opens the aromatics significantly.

Where is El Rif Premium Reserve made? It is produced in Lebanon by the Al Kassin family distillery, a family-run operation founded in 1828 and one of the oldest continually operating arak producers in the Middle East.

What foods pair well with El Rif Premium Reserve? Grilled lamb kofta (the anise complements charred meat beautifully), hummus and flatbread (a classic mezze staple alongside arak), fried halloumi (the salty cheese balances the spirit's sweetness), tabbouleh (fresh herbs echo the botanical notes), and baklava (honeyed pastry rounds out the licorice finish).

What sizes does El Rif Premium Reserve come in? The standard available size is 750ml.

Is El Rif Premium Reserve worth the price? It positions as a premium expression within the arak category, justified by its Cognac-region eaux-de-vie base, seven-anise blend, and triple pot distillation — production details that exceed what most competitors at a similar tier offer.

Why El Rif Premium Reserve?

What separates this arak from the wider category is its unusual base: four distinct eaux-de-vie sourced from France's Cognac region, rather than a single local grape distillate. Blended with seven types of anise and triple pot-distilled, the result is a spirit of uncommon depth and smoothness at a formidable 70% ABV. Nearly two centuries of continuous family production by the Al Kassin family lend genuine provenance that few competitors can match. For anyone serious about exploring arak at its most concentrated and complex, this Premium Reserve represents a benchmark expression from one of Lebanon's oldest distilling houses.