History of Metaxa
The founder of the distillery was Spyros Metaxas, born in the island of Euboia. He created the first brandy and was involved in the foundation of the first distillation facility in 1888, a little over 50 years after the Greek War of Independence. The business was soon expanded with new factories in Istanbul and Odessa. In 1900 the first exports to the United States took place and the drink became known as "the flying brandy".
Following Metaxas' death, his sons carried on his work. Metaxa is the only Greek industry that survived the two World Wars. In 1968 a new factory was built in Kifissia suburb of Athens.
The label shows a Salaminomaho (Salamina fighter), a figure of an Ancient Greek trireme that was carved on a coin of that period, found during the excavation of the first factory in Piraeus in 1888.
Metaxa has won several gold medals in international spirit competitions, showcased in many of its bottles. In 1989 the company was bought by the British drinks group Grand Metropolitan (now called Diageo) and was later sold to the Remy Cointreau group.
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