Many times, and for many different reasons, we have, from time to time, referred to the wealth of the Cretan land, to the unique and always hospitable people and, of course, to its excellent products. In this issue’s Easter Egg, we will refer to the new tsikoudia 35N Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, which is Crete.
Tsikoudia is the drink that we will find in all Cretan homes as it has a prominent place in their glasses. Produced with passion and love, it is the drink of companionship. These are just some of the criteria Elias Melissourgos had when he created the modern 35N distillery in Pigianos Kampos, Rethymnon. But why 35N? The 35th parallel of our planet (where N = North) is the one that crosses Crete horizontally from end to end, determining its climate, and giving its stamp on planet Earth.
The 35N distillery opened its doors in the summer of 2020 with the vision of giving tsikoudia the place it deserves. With the aim of creating quality spirits, they choose their raw materials from all over Crete, while using the most exquisite varieties, mainly local, such as Liatiko, Vidiano, Kotsifali, Moschato Spinas and Malvasia, so that the result that reaches our glass is always worthy of the history of its place. The company has six different tsikoudia, while its range also includes traditional ouzo.
The newest “member” of this family is 35N Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, which is available in numbered transparent bottles of 50ml and 500ml. Its bottle, common to the rest of the tsikoudias of the family, is elegant with the purple –lilac– logo in its center, which stimulates the eye.
35N Malvasia di Candia Aromatica made its appearance a few months ago. It is a single variety, refined spirit with a strongly floral character, rich taste at 38% abv. It is transparent, with soft aromas of flowers, such as jasmine and acacia, notes of floral and citrus, as well as fruits, such as berries, quince and, of course, grape, on the nose. In the mouth it has a velvety taste with nicely homogenized alcohol. Fresh, with elegant notes of flowers and grape here too, while elements of lemon and orange peel are also discernible. Light touches of nuts such as almonds and sweet pepper are part of its taste. Its aftertaste is mild and of moderate duration.
The new 35N tsikoudia is a nice, delicate product, perfect to be consumed plain as an aperitif or digestive. But it does not limit the creativity of those who would like to have it in their bar, as it can be the basis for a floral spritz or sour, a different highball with tonic or even a Mediterranean version of the Martini.
In any case, the 35N Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, like the rest of the company’s products, definitely deserves a place in our glasses.
Πληροφορίες
Category: Spirits
Country: Greece
First release: 2023
Producer: 35Ν
ABV: 38% abv
Bottle:500ml
Price (GR): ≈€26.00
First publication: Beer & Bar Magazine, Issue 20 (buy the issue)
