Distiller Notes
The Chateau Musar Arack is made from grape alcohol with an average age of five years. Traditionally, arack is distilled twice, then anis seeds are added in the third distillation. L'Arack de Musar is unique in that it is distilled four times with the addition of anis seeds during the 4th distillation. After distillation, it is aged for one year in terracotta amphora’s which contribute to its liquorice aroma.
It is customary to add water to Arack when serving it as a digestif, but L’arack de Musar can be enjoyed without water. It is surprisingly smooth, sweet, and very easy to drink. The additional distillation results in a very pure and sophisticated Arack.
Proof: 106
Chateau Musar was founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar. In 1959, after studying oenology at the University of Bordeaux, his son Serge became winemaker. The civil war that tore Lebanon apart from 1975 to 1990 did not defeat Chateau Musar; Serge refused to abandon the wine, and lost only the 1976 and 1984 vintages to the war. Owing to his inspiring determination and grand passion for his wines, Serge received the inaugural “Man of the Year Award” from Decanter magazine in 1984. Recognition from Michael Broadbent, at the 1979 Bristol Wine Fair, threw Musar into the international spotlight and helped create a cult-like following. Chateau Musar is one of the most written-about and discussed wines in the world today.
First prepared by 13th century Italian monks as herbal medicines and elixirs, Liqueurs are distilled spirits that have been combined with flavoring agents. A range of herbs, spices, nuts, fruits and flowers can be used, and a sweetener such as sugar or corn syrup is often added. While typically rather sweet, some examples are herbaceous or tart and pair exceptionally well with desserts or act as a delightful addition to cocktails.