The Old Dog Says: Now That's The Spirit! Checking Out Mastiha From Greece!

in greece •  6 years ago  (edited)

It's not often that I drink liqueurs (spirits) but there are several that I enjoy immensely when shared with friends.

This past Saturday in my article The Old Dog: Visits a Buddy I reported on a goodbye dinner that I was invited to at the home of a Greek friend of mine. After a delicious Greek meal  prepared by his lovely wife I asked him if he had any of the famous Greek liqueur ouzo.

Much to my sadness he didn't have any ouzo but he offered me some of his chilled Mastiha assuring me that it was really good!

Mastiha is Good Stuff! Spirits That Lift The Spirits!


The brand that we tried was Skinos. It's a Mastiha Spirit with 30% alcohol.


Quick Facts About Mastiha


  • It is liqueur flavored with mastic oil from the island of Chios
  • It is served cold as you can see by the condensation forming on the bottle above!
  • It is crystal clear and is sweet tasting and smelling
  • Mastic is the hardened sap from the Mastic tree
  • Mastic was the original chewing gum!


Although I had never heard of this beverage I liked it very much as did the other men and women that shared it with us!


The back label told us a little bit more about this delicious, ancient beverage!


Here's Some More History About Mastiha From The Label!


"The under water volcanoes,the mild climate and the lime consisting soil of the Mediterranean island of Chios, along with a tradition, rooted deeply in the ancient years, of cultivation and harvesting, make mastiha world unique.

From 600 BC, mastiha spirit traveled to Genoa, Istanbul, Athens and the world as a drinking delicacy and an excellent digestive.

Today Skinos Mastiha Spirit adopts the very same traditional harvesting and distillation process and creates a unique product, ideal to drink chilled before or after dinner.

*Skinos stands for the ancient name of mastiha."


I must say that I'm glad that there was no Ouzo available and that I got to try something new and different for me. Something that was tasty and fun to share! Something that lifted my spirits!


What About You?


  • What is your favorite liqueur or spirit?
  • Is there a special one from your area?


I hope that you enjoyed this article: "Mastiha is Good Stuff! Spirits That Lift The Spirits!"


Until next time, 

   
@kus-knee (The Old Dog) 


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@kus-knee,
Never heard about that before! Moreover, I am non-alcoholist, so I have a poor knowledge about of this category! Anyway it's nice to hear you all enjoyed that moment with Mastiha!

Cheers~

Thanks for your visit!

I had never even heard of this kind of spirit. That is really cool! I am glad it was tasty. I will keep an eye out for it!

My favourites are Limoncello or Herbas Ibecencas, mmm mm!!

Limoncello is my go to drink! Awesome!

Wayhay!! Limoncello is simply the best! Although it is far too easy too have slightly too many! lol

True enough!

Il Mirto! Liquore tutto Sardo

Hmmm if and when I make to your beautiful island again I'll try it!

Great to check out this and learn some cool facts too along with the post thanks for sharing that :)

It's a big pleasure!

Thank you for telling me about this drink, @kus-knee!
I myself do not drink alcohol, but it was interesting to know about the preferences of the majority.

I like smoothies based on fruit juices and smoothies.

Yes they're nice.

Ouzo

They also have great food in Greece. You should really go there for a holiday!

@ kus-knee I must admit that I was unaware of this Mastiha drink.
Good thing it was delicious, I would love to try it.
I usually do not drink alcoholic bebeides, when I was drinking Vodka Or Ron, even Tekila.
Thank you very much dear friend, for letting us know this baby and all its history
I wish you a great day

  ·  6 years ago (edited)

It was nice to try!

I am not a person who often alcohol. Usually it is used. Therefore, they prefer beer. So do not know more about whisky or brandy. But your introduction is really nice. Never heard or drunk before Mastiha.

Yes it was my first time too!

My favorite liquor wanna Glenfiddich 21 Scotch whiskey. It's too expensive without duty free.
I never heard mastiha. But seems much better spirit with 30% percentage.

It was a nice treat!

Sounds delicious to the palate. As a piano man I've tasted some wonderful liquor and I'm sure I would enjoy it. Locally here in Iowa a number of us go to the Amana Colonies where the Amish have their own fruit wines that taste pleasing as well

That would be interesting!

I've never tasted this kind of liqueur before, but I'm sure it's a real delight, well, as you tell us everyone loved it. What I like about it is the good, warm look it has, I imagine it must be excellent, very cold. In addition to the history and origins from which it comes.

Yes it was good and fun!

I know about Ouzo, but I miss mastiha, it seems good!

My favourite is Frangelico, from my area is really famous Genepì!

If you have the chance try both! I think you will appreciate!

In the meantime ...cheers man! Enjoy mastiha! 😀

Yes, I should try Frangelico!

With hazelnut...Amazing! 😋

I've not heard of Mastiha @kus-knee or of the Island of Chios. Thanks for the introduction! 😊

My favourite liquor is chocolate port and I'm also very fond of Baileys on ice.

Oh yes Baileys. That's always in the cabinet and it was a favorite of my dear old Irish mom!

really very enjoyable moment for you.i hope that you enjoyed your drinking mastiha spirits.but first time i am lisenting this alcohol matter.i am not drinking alcohal.but sometimes i am drinking alcohol with my husband.this spirit looks like very tasty. Wow. You looks excited. i wish that you spend your good time drinking mastiha with your friends..you really very good person in this community.you support my work.its very big matter for me.obviously its my good luck.but i cannot answer your comment for my own family work.so,sorry for that.thanks to sharing for your good moment with us.very well done.take care yourself and best of luck of your great work.i want you stayed always live long happily in your whole life.my best wishes anytime with you.have a great day.i pray for your great success always..keep it up..see you again.my dear friend.. @kus- knee

Thanks so much!

Excellent drink

Yes it was good!

I don't drink liqueurs very often, but sometimes I love to drink a bit of iced Limoncello made by my mom :) I admit that when I want to drink something good, my favorite is a good whiskey like a Lagavulin ;)

Yes Limoncello is sooo goood!

Because my mother is from Chios we often drink mastiha liqueurs..
Mastiha also makes good in the stomach...
The strange thing about mastiha is that it grows only on the south side of the island, and nowhere else !!!
i see also you drank and greek coffee... :))
have a beautiful day....

It has a wonderful history as part of your culture!

Good drinks, I hope you have had a good time, good energy. Happy Thursday, honey.

Thank you!

I had never seen or heard of this drink, the good thing is that you liked it and had a good time that's the important thing, having fun with your friends is the most valuable
Happy afternoon

Thanks so much!

In a way you promote my country through your post and the least I can say is thank you!

Are you in Greece? Nice!

I am in Greece at the moment, but I am also from Greece!

Such a delicious drink....very sweet taste of this drink...liqueurs provides many different taste and flavours.....very great moments to you...your looking so handsome...i really like this drink..thanks for sharing dear.

so much spiritual drink XD

Drinking is wrong.

  ·  6 years ago (edited)

Then don’t do it!

In my beliefs drinking in moderation is good but drunkenness is condemed.

Good feelings when you find a drink from anywherw. How you ranked the taste of skinors? I am sure it will be great meal.

Wow. You looks exited. cool! I am glad it was tasty. I will keep an eye out for it. What about the taste if food that you ate with your friend?

health, brother

It is a good pleassure to drink with friends. Some time you drink that you have not listened about that before. And this time you have not listened about skiners.

This is amazing mastiha

Thank you @kus-knee for reminding me of Mastiha. It was done in Romania 30-40 years ago, it was called Mastica. Of course it was not original. Within a month I will go to Greece on the island of Thassos. I'll buy a bottle to remind me of it taste.
When I'm in Greece I prefer to drink Tsipouro instead of Ouzo. It seems better to me.
At home I like Unicum, a Hungarian digestive drink. It's pretty bitter, not many prefer it. I used to drink a glass of Unicum and then a glass of beer.

I am not a huge fan of Ouzo. I have never had Mastiha. It sounds interesting! My all time favorite is Ginjinha from Portugal. Best ever!