The Berlin International Spirits Competition awarded a gold medal to Arak Muaddi and named it “Arak of the Year” at its 6th annual competition in Berlin, Germany.
A blind panel of expert judges announced their decision on 21 March 2019, after tasting more than 300 spirits from 19 countries. They gave Arak Muaddi a score of 94/100.
Competitors included many of the world’s leading anise-flavored spirits.
“We are honored and delighted by the news,” said Nader Muaddi, founder and distiller at Muaddi Craft Distillery. “We worked very hard to make Arak Muaddi the best arak in the world.”
Arak Muaddi is the first product of Palestine to win a gold medal at the prestigious competition.
“This is an amazing moment, not just for Muaddi Craft Distillery, but for all of Palestine,” said Muaddi. “We managed to source all of our ingredients locally in the West Bank and win on an international stage,” he added.
Judges at the Berlin International Spirits Competition (BISC)
The Berlin International Spirits Competition is a trade-only competition, where expert judges from a range of disciplines — including sommeliers, mixologists and restaurateurs — taste and critique spirits.
Muaddi Craft Distillery launched its first limited-run batch of Arak Muaddi in 2018, using traditional methods and all-natural, indigenous Palestinian ingredients.
Arak Muaddi is an ultra-premium spirit that is made with passion, artistry and respect for heritage. It is handcrafted in small batches and caters to the aficionado who appreciates the unaltered flavor of the Levant.