Touma Arak 750ML is a traditional Lebanese anise spirit bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in a 750ml format. Produced at Chateau St Thomas in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, this arak distinguishes itself through an exclusive commitment to whole aniseed — never star anise, anise oils, or extracts — and a rigorous four-time distillation process that yields exceptional purity. Quick Facts: ABV: 50% | Origin: Bekaa Valley, Lebanon | Style: Traditional Arak | Distillery: Chateau St Thomas Production & Heritage Chateau St Thomas is a respected winery and distillery located in Kab-elias in the Bekaa Valley, one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world. Touma Arak begins as a grape-based neutral spirit, which then undergoes four successive distillations — with fresh water and whole aniseed introduced at each stage. This labor-intensive method strips away impurities while layering in a deep, authentic anise character that shortcuts like anise oils or star anise substitutes simply cannot replicate. Tasting Notes Aroma: Crushed anise seed dominates the nose immediately, followed by a subtle earthy undercurrent. The aromatics are clean and focused, without the synthetic sharpness sometimes found in lesser anise spirits. Taste: The entry is smooth and deceptively gentle given the 50% ABV, with a wave of pure licorice unfolding across the mid-palate. A subtle natural sweetness emerges as the spirit warms, balanced by the underlying grape-spirit backbone that keeps the anise from becoming one-dimensional. Finish: Fiery yet gratifyingly numbing, the finish carries warm aniseed and a faint herbal echo that lingers well. The texture remains remarkably smooth through the close, a hallmark of the quadruple distillation. How to Drink Touma Arak The traditional Lebanese serve is the ritual itself: pour roughly one-third arak into a glass, then add two-thirds cold water, which turns the spirit a milky white (the louche effect). Adding ice after the water preserves the louche properly and keeps the anise oils in suspension. For cocktails, try an Arak Sour — the anise profile plays beautifully against fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup. A Mediterranean Mule substitutes arak for vodka, pairing ginger beer's spice with the spirit's licorice depth. An Arak Spritz combines a measure of Touma with prosecco and a splash of soda, creating a refreshing aperitif with a distinctive anise lift. Best For Hosting a Lebanese or Middle Eastern-themed dinner party Introducing adventurous drinkers to traditional anise spirits Pairing alongside a full mezze spread with friends Gifting someone who appreciates artisanal Mediterranean spirits Frequently Asked Questions What does Touma Arak taste like? Touma Arak delivers a clean, pure licorice and crushed aniseed flavor with subtle sweetness and a warm, numbing finish. The four-time distillation gives it a notably smooth texture despite its 50% ABV. How does Touma Arak compare to Pernod? Both are anise-flavored spirits, but Touma Arak is grape-based and distilled with whole aniseed at a higher 50% ABV, while Pernod is a lower-proof French pastis with added sugar and additional botanical flavoring. Touma tends to taste drier and more intensely anise-forward, making it closer to a traditional Levantine spirit than Pernod's sweeter, more herbal profile. Is Touma Arak good for sipping neat? While it can be sipped neat, the traditional and recommended method is to dilute it with roughly two parts cold water to one part arak, which unlocks the full aromatic complexity and tames the 50% ABV to a more approachable strength. Where is Touma Arak made? Touma Arak is produced at Chateau St Thomas, a winery and distillery situated in Kab-elias in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The Bekaa Valley is one of the Eastern Mediterranean's most historically significant agricultural and winemaking regions. What foods pair well with Touma Arak? Grilled lamb kebabs work exceptionally well, as the charred meat tempers the spirit's anise intensity. Fresh tabbouleh and fattoush provide a bright, herbaceous counterpoint. Creamy hummus and baba ghanoush complement the smooth texture of the arak. Salty halloumi cheese creates a satisfying contrast with the spirit's subtle sweetness. Marinated olives and cured meats round out a classic mezze pairing. What sizes does Touma Arak come in? Touma Arak is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle size. Is Touma Arak worth the price? Touma Arak positions as a premium traditional arak, and its quadruple distillation with exclusively whole aniseed places it above many mass-produced competitors in terms of production quality and flavor purity, making it a strong value within the artisanal anise spirits category. Why Touma Arak? What separates Touma from the broader arak market is its uncompromising use of whole aniseed — no star anise, no oils, no extracts. That commitment, combined with four full distillations rather than the more common two or three, produces a spirit with remarkable clarity and depth. The Chateau St Thomas provenance in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley ties it directly to one of the world's oldest traditions of grape-spirit distillation. For anyone seeking an authentic Lebanese arak built on purity of ingredient and process, Touma earns its place at the table.
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