Metaxa 7 Star 750ML

Metaxa 7 Star 750ML is a Greek spirit crafted from double pot-distilled brandy, Muscat wine, and Mediterranean botanicals, bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml bottle. What separates it from conventional brandies is a finishing step that blends aged grape distillate with Muscat wines from the Aegean island of Samos and an infusion of May rose petals, creating a category essentially unique to Metaxa.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Athens, Greece  |  Minimum 7 Years Aged  |  Distillery: Metaxa (est. 1888)

Production & Heritage

Spyros Metaxa founded his eponymous distillery in 1888 in Kifissia, a northern suburb of Athens, with the ambition of producing a distinctly Greek spirit that could stand alongside the great brandies of Europe. The base spirit is double pot-distilled from three native Greek grape varieties — Savatiano, Sultanina, and Black Corinth — then aged for a minimum of seven years in French Limousin oak casks. After maturation, the aged distillate is blended with aromatic Muscat wines from Samos and infused with Mediterranean herbs and delicate May rose petals. This final blend then rests together in oak barrels for an additional year before being chill-filtered and bottled, a marrying period that integrates the floral and vinous elements into the spirit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe peach and dried apricot, followed by layers of orange blossom and violet. Underneath, subtle hints of cinnamon, toasted walnut, and a wisp of dried flowers emerge as the spirit breathes.

Taste: The entry is soft and moderately sweet, with orange marmalade and honey coating the palate. At mid-palate, dried fruits — prune and apricot — merge with vanilla and a warm coffee note, while the Muscat wine influence lends a rounded, winey body. Black pepper spice and a gentle oakiness build toward the peak.

Finish: Medium-long and smooth, with lingering warmth from the Limousin oak and a floral echo of rose petals. The final impression is one of woody spice, dried fruit sweetness, and a clean herbal close.

How to Drink Metaxa 7 Star

Neat at room temperature is the most traditional approach, allowing the full interplay of brandy, Muscat wine, and botanicals to unfold; a single ice cube can also tame the sweetness slightly and open the aromatics. Three cocktails that highlight its distinctive character:

• Sidecar: The floral and honeyed notes replace the sharper edges of Cognac, adding a Mediterranean twist to this citrus-forward classic.
• Brandy Alexander: The vanilla and dried-fruit sweetness pairs naturally with cream and crème de cacao without overwhelming them.
• Greek Summer: Mixed with fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, and a splash of soda, Metaxa 7 Star's rose petal infusion shines through as a refreshing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Introducing a brandy drinker to the unique Metaxa style of Greek spirit-making
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Gifting someone who appreciates Mediterranean food and drink culture
• Exploring brandy-based cocktails with a floral, fruit-forward base spirit

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Metaxa 7 Star taste like? Metaxa 7 Star delivers a moderately sweet, fruit-driven profile dominated by dried apricot, orange marmalade, honey, and vanilla, with floral rose-petal and herbal undertones. It has a smooth, winey body with gentle oak spice and a clean finish.

How does Metaxa 7 Star compare to Drambuie? While both spirits incorporate botanical and herbal elements into a sweetened base, they are fundamentally different — Metaxa 7 Star is a Greek grape-based spirit blended with Muscat wine and rose petals, whereas Drambuie is a Scotch whisky-based liqueur flavored with honey, herbs, and spices. Metaxa 7 Star tends to be drier and more brandy-forward, while Drambuie is notably sweeter and whisky-driven.

Is Metaxa 7 Star good for sipping neat? Yes, neat service is the most popular way to enjoy it in Greece and across Europe, as the seven-year aging in Limousin oak produces enough complexity and smoothness to reward slow sipping. A single ice cube or a few drops of water can also help release additional aromatics.

Where is Metaxa 7 Star made? Metaxa 7 Star is produced at the Metaxa distillery in Kifissia, a suburb of Athens, Greece. The Muscat wines used in the blend come from the Aegean island of Samos, and the grapes for the base distillate are sourced from Greek vineyards growing Savatiano, Sultanina, and Black Corinth varieties.

What foods pair well with Metaxa 7 Star? Dark chocolate and cocoa-based desserts complement the vanilla and dried-fruit notes. Baklava and other honey-drenched pastries echo the spirit's natural sweetness. Aged hard cheeses like Graviera or Manchego match well against the oak spice. Dried figs and walnuts mirror the nutty, fruity character on the palate. Grilled stone fruits drizzled with honey make an excellent warm-weather pairing.

What sizes does Metaxa 7 Star come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, and it is also commonly available in a 1-liter size in certain markets.

Is Metaxa 7 Star worth the price? Metaxa 7 Star positions as an accessible, mid-range expression within the broader brandy and aged-spirit category, delivering seven years of oak maturation plus a unique botanical and Muscat wine blending process at a price point that undercuts most similarly aged Cognacs. For drinkers curious about Greek spirits or looking for a versatile brandy alternative, it represents strong value.

Why Metaxa 7 Star?

No other widely available spirit replicates the specific production formula that Metaxa has employed since 1888: double pot-distilled Greek grape brandy married with aged Muscat wine from Samos and infused with May rose petals and Mediterranean herbs. The seven-year minimum aging in Limousin oak gives the spirit a maturity and depth that many similarly priced brandies lack. That botanical blending step — followed by a full year of additional marrying in oak — creates a flavor profile that sits in its own space, neither purely brandy nor liqueur. For anyone seeking a spirit with genuine regional identity and a production process that has no direct equivalent, Metaxa 7 Star delivers exactly that.