Victor Cohen
Zachlawi Arak is special brand that is sure to fill up shelves and be stocked up on for celebrations. The brand is notable within the niche of high quality, flavored arak and has now been taken to a high level of international notoriety.
Zachlawi’s iconic Fig Arak is the recipient of the 2024 Gold Medal SIP Award under the Ouzo/Raki category. The SIP Awards, a yearly drink quality competition judged by consumers, has thrown its weight behind a small, community-friendly brand. (To learn more about the SIP awards visit https://sipawards.com/results/.)
Zachlawi Arak: Humble Beginnings
Zachlawi Arak was founded within our community in 1998. It got its start with a homemade brew labeled Mor-Doch 501 Arak, which, as the back label of the original bottle read, was made in a “continuous effort to get closer to our very rich heritage.” This played a part in Zachlawi Arak’s main tagline: Heritage Distilled.
Zachlawi first struck gold with the introduction of the Cherry Arak, a legend in its time. This really pushed Zachlawi to the forefront of the flavored arak market. While Arak might be too tough to drink straight, the flavor softened it, producing a more tasteful harmony. Zachlawi noted that it may reintroduce the flavor in the future.
Zachlawi’s foundation in heritage plays a significant role in its overall philosophy. The community has reciprocated that foundation in a creative fashion.
Community members have dubbed for The Zachlawi Pistachio Martini “The Mediterranean Martini.” It has three ingredients: pistachio arak, honey, and almond milk. (Loosen the honey with water.) Once, “shaken not stirred” over ice, it is the perfect “Shrob al Loz.” (Shrob is a traditional cocktail served at engagement parties as almonds are a biblical sign of quick ripening and bearing fruit)
This creative display perfectly highlights the relationship Zachlawi has with the community. It blends together, producing heritage-based goodness.
The Award Winner: Fig Arak
In 2005, the Fig Arak hit the shelves as a timeless hit. It is still served at Shabbat tables, celebrations, and even the occasional mazza gathering. Even though I am partial to the Pistachio Arak, the Fig Arak is an iconic and notable drink, well-deserving of its Gold Medal award.
Fig Arak might also be Zachlawi’s entree into the broader Jewish world. While Zachlawi has always been iconic inside of our community, the brand, and arak as a whole, began breaking into other communities through both word of mouth and creative marketing, especially within Ashkenazi circles. Zachlawi sees the Fig Arak and the other flavors as a good way to introduce others to our unique, heritage-based drink.
For many, classic arak is a difficult drink to get into due to its sharpness and sting. The flavored araks, however, provide an opportunity to bring a much softer, flavorful drink to a broader audience. The SIP Awards stamp of approval of Fig Arak also goes a long way in contributing to that path forward to the international community.
An added plus is that many flavors under Zachlawi are Kosher for Pesach. That in itself creates a very strong market around Pesach time, and might serve as a valuable entry point for other communities.
Zachlawi: The Future
Zachlawi has not only taken ownership of its niche in the world of arak, but has also expanded its influence and grown with the addition of different flavors.
The 2024 SIP Award for the Fig Arak confirms what most of us have known for a long time. This “Heritage Distilled” brand, a community-friendly drink, is truly top of the line. From the humble, home-brewed beginnings to the juggernaut it has become today, Zachlawi Arak is inextricably woven into the fabric of our heritage, and will continue to play a big role in our community – and beyond – for years to come.