As part of the 2K Cigars Festival in Greece, Cigar Journal had the opportunity to visit the House of METAXA, gaining an exclusive look behind the scenes of one of Greece’s most renowned spirits.
Guests explored the historic ageing cellars, where thousands of large oak casks quietly mature under natural conditions. Time is one of the defining elements in the creation of every METAXA expression, with some spirits ageing for decades before becoming part of the final blend.
One of the most remarkable discoveries was METAXA’s archive of historic spirits. The House preserves 80-litre glass demijohns containing blends dating back to the late 19th century.
Visitors also learned about the production process, in which sweet Muscat wines from the island of Samos, selected Mediterranean wine distillates and a closely guarded blend of Mediterranean herbs and botanicals are brought together before further ageing in large oak casks.
During the tour, participants met Konstantinos Kalpaxidis, the sixth METAXA Master. Having joined the House of METAXA in 2016 and succeeding longtime Master Constantinos Raptis, Kalpaxidis now oversees every expression.
Another unexpected detail inside the cellars is the presence of spiders. Rather than removing them, METAXA allows them to remain as part of the cellar’s natural ecosystem, where they help control insects that could otherwise damage the wooden casks.
The visit concluded with a guided tasting of several expressions, from METAXA 12 Stars to Private Reserve and Angels’ Treasure. Asked about his preferred cigar pairing, Kalpaxidis recommended METAXA Private Reserve, describing its richness and complexity as an ideal companion to a premium cigar.
