Today, it is my pleasure to introduce you to a new product on the market, an organic, barrel aged grape spirit, made in Nea Gonia, Halkidiki. This town neighbors the town where our family has our summer home (Nea Kallikratia).
Abelon is produced by the Kazakis family, well know for “Marianna’s Grape Leaves” and “Marianna’s phyllo pies”. Pangalos (one of two sons) has taken the lead with this luxury product, having it already distributed in San Francisco, New York, Munich, Zurich and Athens of course!
My courier dropped off my bottle yesterday and I had to exercise patience to keep from madly unwrapping the package like a giddy child opening their presents on Christmas morning.
Although the box and bottle are attractive, the real story is in how Abelon is made: certified organic, single varietal of grapes, double-distilled in copper alembic “kazania” aka stills.
Usually, this spirit is then bottled and sold in Greece as tsipouro or raki but the final step is to age the spirit in French oak barrels for three years.
Served ideally after dinner as a digestif (or with a cigar), Abellon is smooth, amber in colour and it will make a great addition to aficionados who enjoy a fine whisky or brandy.
Abelon is not the first barrel aged grape spirit but it could possibly be the best. One of my favourite rituals is to dab my finger in a grape spirit and rub in into the part of my hand between thumb and index finger. After a few seconds, the alcohol evaporates and what’s left is the aroma/essence of what this spirit is made of – grapes.
Abelon is currently seeking agents in Ontario and other markets worldwide to represent them in each respective market. You may reach out directly to them or send me a note if you would like me to introduce you to them through an email.
