• Category: arak (on the basis of grapes)
• Alcohol: 50%
• Origin: Jordan
• Manufacturer: Eagle Distilleries Co.
• Bought in: Jordan (thanks Lennart!)

This “triply distilled” product of Jordan comes in a nice bottle with a clever pouring enhancement. It makes measuring a lot easier. Just as the Lebanese arak Touma, the manufacturer also uses the classification “King of Arak”. The taste is good, but a little flat; not as complex as the good Lebanese brands. However the quality is very good, and it certainly does not give you a hang-over. 8,5/10.

External link: Eagle Distilleries official site

• Category: arak (on the basis of grapes)
• Alcohol: 53%
• Origin: Lebanon
• Manufacturer: Massaya &Co.
• Bought at: Le Vieux Télégraphe, Bédarrides, France (thanks Bob!)

Arak Massaya is one of the most prestigious brands of arak available, and the bottles are beautiful. The photo shows two bottles, one of the “anniversary edition” and one regular. Definitely recommendable if you have the chance to try it. The flavour reminds of herbs and licorice, and it is not sweet. Arak massaya matures six to twelve months in clay jars, which apparently gives off the licorice-like taste. 8/10.

External link: Massaya official site

• Category: arak (on the basis of grapes)
• Alcohol: 45%
• Origin: Iraq
• Manufacturer: unknown
• Bought at: Baghdad, Iraq (thanks Bob!)

This bottle was bought in Baghdad probably a long time ago (possibly even in the eighties). It is made of fermented grape pulp, just as Lebanese and Syrian arak, but unlike many other Iraqi brands of arak which are based on fermented dates. Abu Nuwas was a medieval Arabic poet renowned for his poetry involving wine and homo-eroticism. He also figures on the label, enjoying music and a glass of (presumably) arak. For more information on Abu Nuwas, see his Wikipedia page. The drink itself is not very good; it results in quite bad hangovers. 5/10.

External link: Wikipedia: Abu Nuwas