As the launch of Kleos Mastiha Spirit continued in Connecticut, a series of tastings by longtime state bar professional and spirits specialist Anthony DeSerio took place at various store locations in June. DeSerio educated shoppers throughout multiple retailers on Kleos, Greece’s first luxury spirit brand, a super-premium mastiha liqueur new to the Worldwide Wines spirits portfolio. The raw ingredient, mastiha (mas-tee-hah), is a sap from the Skinos tree that grows only in 24 villages in the southern part of the Greek island of Chios. Kleos is made by hand in small batches via a distillation of the mastiha and the addition of mastiha essential oils. Founded by Effie Panagopoulos, born and raised in Boston to Greek immigrant parents, she is noted as the first Greek woman to found a liquor brand.

Anthony DeSerio with Kleos Mastiha Spirit at Maximum Beverage in West Hartford on June 18. The 30% ABV liqueur offers a floral bouquet, aromas of eucalyptus and tasting notes of cucumber, mint and sweet tea.

Balanced enough to be consumed on the rocks with a wedge of lemon or as a cocktail ingredient, Kleos mixes 1:1 with every base spirit on a backbar and a myriad of fruits and herbs, shown at Al’s Warehouse in Fairfield on June 25.