Appearance (neat): Water-clear. Appearance (watered): Cloudy white. Aroma: Liquorice and anise are the primary aromas, but there is a soft fragrant complexity in support. It has a very pleasant almost gin-like nose. Taste and Texture (neat): Sweet and rich with the flavours squarely based on liquorice and anise, but with fennel also apparent. The texture is full, rounded and has density. It is on the sweet side but it is not too syrupy. The length is moderate and the aftertaste fades slowly, losing a little sweetness in the progression. Taste and Texture (watered): The sweetness is still there but dilution brings out spicier, almost white pepper flavours and more complexity. I’ve not had a huge sampling of ouzos, but enough for a reasonable field of comparison, and this is certainly the most immediately appealing ouzo I have tasted. It is considerably better than the cheaper, popular mass-market brands that are little more than anise extract in ethanol. To be fair the degree of sugar in this does make it qualify as almost more a liqueur than a spirit. Sugar always causes the palate to seem easier and more agreeable, however there is more going on than just sweetness here and you do notice a complex herbal background to the spirit, particularly when it is diluted. Initially I tasted this neat, then I added a big ice cube to the glass and gave it a good swirl and a rest until it louched. Finally I added a little ice water (there was still a good chunk of ice left) to make it a longer drink at around 10% abv. It was very good in all these forms. Neat it is a good liqueur, and with dilution to take it down to around the abv level of table wine it becomes a crisp, fresh but still full-flavoured drink that I can imagine would be terrific with seafood. This is without question the best ouzo I have tasted, and it is the first and only one that I would consider keeping in the bar for occasional use in the right context. It compares well against the better French pastis, which is saying something, and at the price it is a bargain. Highly recommended. If you have never tasted this spirit but are "ouzo curious" this is the obvious and best place to start. “Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)