OPA! Originals Ouzon Soda

I had no idea what to expect with this soda prior to opening it. I purposely didn't read anything about the soda or Ouzo before tasting it. Apparently Ouzo is a traditional Greek alcoholic drink, but this is a soda modeled after the taste. It gave off a really interesting smell when I first opened it. It was a pleasant and familiar smell, but I couldn't place it. Then after the first sip it hit me: anise! Could this actually be the anise/licorice flavored soda I've been looking for/dreaming about? I think so!

When I imagined an anise soda, I dreamed it to be like the taste you get in your mouth after your fourth piece of licorice. While this isn't like that, I really like how the taste is. It's really subtle at first, but then as you swallow it, the taste gets more intense and potent. I want to savor every sip because I only have this one bottle and don't know when/where I'll be able to get it again.