The stars represent how many years the product has sat to mature. This means that the Metaxa 5-Star has matured for five years, while the Metaxa 7-Stars has matured for seven years. The Metaxa 12-Star is the most matured out of the three, sitting for 12 years to mature. Having aged the longest, the 12-star will show off a rich and earthy flavor. Less mature Metaxa spirits tend to showcase a more fruity flavor.