Yeni Raki is Turkey's national spirit produced by Mey Icki, a company owned by Diageo since 2011. It is distilled from 20 different varieties of grapes and raisins with quality anise grown in Western Anatolia and achieves perfection by adding high-quality aniseed to suma obtained from a well-balanced mixture of dried and fresh grapes. The spirit is bottled at 45% ABV and typically sells for around $35.
I took a few whiffs of the rakı and water mixture, and there was a strong licorice scent, with subtle notes of toffee in the background. The aroma overall was smooth, and reminded me of being inside a See’s Candy store. I began to sip, and the flavor was mostly mellow, with some bitterness and an intense mouthfeel. The alcohol was a bit harsh on my tongue and throat, and there was an oily quality throughout my mouth.