• Category: fig brandy
• Alcohol: 36%
• Origin: Tunisia
• Manufacturer: Félix Habib & Cie.
• Bought at: Harb Gmbh, Berlin, Germany (thanks Jaap!)

Fig brandy is something that has to grow on you. It is produced in Portugal (named aguardente de figo), but apart from that it is a typically north African Jewish product. My first introduction to boukha was not very special (as is clear from the first review on this website), but it has indeed since then grown on my. I have tended to rate boukha higher and higher over time, and consequently the earlier ratings might require an update of some sorts. But that’s too late… Anyway, even though boukha Soleil is the ‘regular’ version of the Boukha Gold, the difference in quality is only marginal. I personally prefer boukha at room temperature, but it can also be drunk cold. 7/10

• Category: raisin brandy
• Alcohol: 50%
• Origin: USA
• Manufacturer: Bear & Eagle Products
• Bought at: Wholesome Choice supermarket, Irvine CA (Thanks Henk!)

This is strictly no Arabic liquor, but Persian. Moreover, it is not made in Iran but in California, where apparently a large part of the Iranian diaspora is found. Nevertheless I find it suitable to discuss this liquor because of the obscurity factor. What immediately attracts attention is the amalgamation of scripts on the label: from top to bottom, Armenian, Russian, Arabic, and Latin. The Arabic scripts says “raisin arak” in Persian, and it is exactly that. Using dried grapes (raisins) as a basis for a brandy is quite special since most grape-based brandies are either based on normal grapes (cognac), or on pomace (grappa, marc). Indeed it is so special that I am unaware of other manufacturers. At first smell it immediately reminds of spiritus, but the taste itself is very fruity and pleasant. The taste clearly resembles overripe fruit, similar to Spanish orujo; this characteristic can of course be ascribed to the raisins. The “overripeness” is however not necessarily a bad thing, and indeed it works quite well here. There is significantly more to taste than in grape or pomace brandies. With 50% alcohol the drink is quite fierce, and diluting it with some water makes it more palatable (there is however also a 40% alcohol version available). 8/10

External link: Bear & Eagle Products