Five pours, one basement, big anise punch. At Brettos Plaka, you get a guided ouzo tasting from the oldest distillery in Athens (producing since 1909), with five different labels that run from a 40% Blue to a 50% Black. I like that the session is built around real flavor structure (anise, fennel, star anise, and the anethole that drives the taste), and I also like that you’re sampling multiple strengths and distillation levels in one focused stop. One thing to keep in mind: it’s only 30 minutes, so if you want a long, deep history lecture, this one moves fast.

I also like the practical setup. You meet at the basement of the famous Brettos Bar, it’s a small group (up to 10), and the tasting is handled in English by certified sommeliers who introduce what you’re drinking as you go. And yes, ouzo is high-alcohol by nature, so pace yourself—especially when you hit the stronger pours near the end.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• Oldest Athens distillery dating to 1909, still producing ouzo the traditional way
• Five labeled tastings in one sitting, with ABV stepping up from 40% to 50%
• Different distillation styles (single through 5 times) so you can taste strength and smoothness differences
• English guidance from certified sommeliers, meant to make the flavors make sense
• A tight 30-minute format that fits between meals in central Athens

Entering Brettos Plaka: a quick stop with big flavor focus

Brettos Plaka’s ouzo tasting is the kind of activity that works when you’re in Athens and you want something authentic without losing half a day. You’re not wandering museums or hunting down a multi-stop route. You’re going straight to the heart of the spirit.

You’ll meet at the basement of the famous Brettos Bar. That detail matters because it shapes the whole experience: it’s cozy, controlled, and built for tasting rather than sightseeing. With a small group limited to 10, the tasting stays personal enough that you can ask basic questions while you’re sipping.

If you’re worried the basement vibe will feel hard to place, don’t overthink it—look for the Brettos Bar signage at Plaka, then go down to the basement meeting area.

Ouzo 101, minus the fluff: what you’re tasting and why it matters

Ouzo is one of Greece’s best-known distilled spirits, and the flavor is tightly tied to its ingredients. It’s an aniseed-flavored spirit, made mainly from aniseed plants, fennel, and star anise. The “why” behind the taste is anethole, the compound extracted from the aniseed plants that creates that unmistakable aroma.

That matters for your tasting because ouzo can feel like it’s doing one thing—strong, licorice-like, and done. But once you understand the basic engine (anise + anethole), the rest becomes easier to notice: how the alcohol level and distillation style can change how the drink lands on your tongue.

Also, ouzo is made in Greece only, and it has high alcohol volume. In other words: treat it like a spirit tasting, not a casual cocktail moment. Your best experience comes when you slow down and let each pour do its job.

The lineup at Brettos: Blue (40%) to Black (50%) in five steps

The tasting includes five premium distilled ouzos, each with a color label and a different alcohol percentage. This is where the experience becomes more than just sipping. It becomes pattern recognition.

Here’s the sequence you can expect:

• Blue: 40% alcohol
• Gold: 42% alcohol
• Green: 46% alcohol
• Red: 48% alcohol
• Black: 50% alcohol

Along with ABV, Brettos also frames each label with different distillation styles: single distilled, double, triple, quadruple, and 5 times distilled. The idea is simple: as the number of distillations increases, the ouzo becomes stronger but smoother.

What that means for you in the glass:

• The lower-ABV bottles tend to feel lighter and easier to start with, especially if you’ve only had ouzo occasionally.
• As you move upward, you’re not only tasting more alcohol—you’re also tasting how the spirit is refined and how the anise character carries through.
• By the time you reach the Black (50%), it’s a real spirit moment. You’ll notice it most in aroma intensity and the way it lingers.

This is one of the most praised parts of the experience: people like how the tasting is organized and how it clarifies the differences you might otherwise miss if you just bought one bottle at a bar.

Inside the 30 minutes: how the session is paced

The whole tasting is designed to fit into 30 minutes, and that time constraint influences everything. Expect a short introduction, then a structured progression through the five labels.

Here’s the likely rhythm:

1. You’ll get an orientation to ouzo—what it is, what creates the flavor (anise ingredients and anethole), and what you should pay attention to.
2. Then you’ll move through the five pours in order, from Blue through Black.
3. As you taste, the certified sommeliers guide you with explanations meant to connect the flavor you’re noticing to the ABV and distillation differences.
4. You finish with a quick wrap so you can decide what you liked most (or what you’d buy after you leave).

Because it’s small-group and guided, you won’t be stuck with zero interaction. But you also shouldn’t expect a long, question-and-answer seminar. One short, important consideration: if you’re looking for very detailed historical talk, the 30-minute format may feel a bit tight.

Price and value: is $25 fair for five pours?

At $25 per person, you’re paying for a guided tasting of the five premium ouzos included in the experience. Since food and other drinks aren’t included, the price is specifically about the spirit flight and the instruction.

Is it good value? For most people, yes—because you’re getting variety you’d struggle to replicate cheaply on your own. Instead of buying one bottle and hoping you picked the right style, you’re sampling a full spectrum: 40% up to 50%, plus the single-to-5-times distillation progression.

The practical trade-off: this is still a short tasting, so it’s best if you treat it as an add-on experience. Have a snack before or plan food right after elsewhere, because the tasting itself isn’t positioned as a meal.

Who should book this ouzo tasting (and who should skip it)

This tour fits best if:

• You like spirits and want a guided way to understand what changes in flavor as alcohol strength rises
• You want a compact Athens activity that doesn’t require major planning
• You enjoy structured tastings with English instruction and a small group (up to 10)

You might consider skipping or choosing something longer if:

• You want lots of extra time to linger, talk, and absorb stories (this is only 30 minutes)
• You’re not into high-alcohol drinks, since the line-up reaches 50% ABV
• You’re hoping food is included (it isn’t), and you don’t want to plan around that

Practical tips before you go down to the basement

A few small choices will make the tasting more enjoyable.

First: drink water before and take your time between pours. With high ABV, even a small amount can hit faster than you expect. Slow sipping helps your nose do its job too.

Second: plan your next step. Since food isn’t included, decide whether you’ll eat before the tasting or follow it with dinner nearby. If you’re already full from lunch, great. If not, treat the tasting as your intro, not your meal.

Third: go in with a simple goal. Instead of trying to score every pour, pick one “starter” you like (often Blue or Gold for many people) and one “bold” you’re curious about (Red or Black). The strongest takeaway usually comes from comparing your preferences, not from memorizing every label.

Should you book the Athens Ouzo Tasting at Brettos Plaka?

If you want a straightforward, central Athens activity that gives you real variety in one short window, I’d book it. The biggest reasons are the five-label structure (40% to 50% ABV), the inclusion of different distillation levels, and the fact that certified sommeliers explain what you’re tasting in English.

The main reason to hesitate is the time: 30 minutes is quick. If you prefer long-form tastings with lots of back-and-forth, this may feel slightly rushed. But if you’re happy with a focused spirit lesson and a clean progression through the range, it’s a solid use of your time in Athens.

FAQ

What is included in the Brettos Plaka ouzo tasting?

The tour includes an ouzo tasting of five premium distilled ouzos by Brettos Plaka.

How long does the ouzo tasting last?

It lasts 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the basement of the famous Brettos Bar.

How many different ouzo labels will I taste?

You’ll taste five different labels of ouzo.

What alcohol percentages are included?

The bottles range from 40% (Blue) to 50% (Black), with Gold at 42%, Green at 46%, and Red at 48%.

Are the distillation levels different?

Yes. The tasting includes single distilled, double, triple, quadruple, and 5 times distilled ouzos.

Is food included?

No. Food and other drinks are not included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The instructor language is English.

What is the group size?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is cancellation allowed, and can I pay later?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now & pay later.

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