Metaxa brandy

Produced in Greece since the 1880s, technically this isn't really a brandy since it's a blend of brandy, Muscat wine, and herbs and spices. Metaxa comes in various grades based upon how long it's been aged (from 3 to 30 years). This particular bottle is aged 7 years, which is a good grade, and comes in a classic amphora shaped bottle.

Flavor-wise, it drinks more like a liqueur than a brandy. It starts off with some sweeter notes of caramel and fruit and finishes with the bite of a brandy. It's traditionally drunk neat or on the rocks. I haven't seen this used in many cocktails, though Imbibe Magazine did have a Metaxa cocktail contest a few years back (http://imbibemagazine.blogspot.com/2009/04/metaxa-cocktails.html). As is somewhat typical of their receipes, most of them are too much bother to attempt at home. Assume you'll be sipping this rather than mixing, which is fine since it's quite tasty. Metaxa is mostly only available in the greater Seattle area.