We moved to Tarpon Springs in 2013 and fell in love with our unique Greek-American community. We decided to open a craft distillery to produce artisanal spirits, made traditionally, but accented with a Florida flair. On our premises we produce our spirits from scratch, with premium malted grains. Tarpon Springs Distillery is family-owned by Barry and Lisa Butler.

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OUR COMMUNITY

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Tarpon Springs, known as the “Sponge Capitol of the World”, has the largest percentage of Greek-American residents anywhere in the world outside of Greece. It also has a working waterfront, the Sponge Docks, that has maintained its historic character through the years. It is still home to sponging boats and a fishing fleet.

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OUR BUILDING'S HISTORY

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The Tarpon Springs Distillery was once the Stephen Katzaras Sponge Company, which was a wholesale business that sold sponges to international customers. The S K in wrought iron outside our front window is original to the building, as are the sponges (some of them large and valuable), mounted fish, floats, and model sailing ships that line the upper walls. Stephen immigrated to Tarpon Springs from Symi, Greece, and served his country with honor before he returned to start his business. He ran the company for 6 decades, and lovingly gave back to the community that had given him a home.

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BEHIND OUR BRANDS

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The Gramling Woods® line of spirits was named after two family members: Barry’s father, Jack Gramling Butler (We couldn’t name them “Jack” for obvious reasons!), and his grandmother, Beatrice Wood Butler. We think that Gramling Woods could have easily been the name of a moonshiner back in the day!

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Papou’s Ouzo® was named after Stephen Katzaras, who was known as Papou, or “grandfather”, to his family and the community). He used to make ouzo for himself and friends behind a burlap curtain in the warehouse where our still, Amazing Grace, distills our craft ouzo today.

 

The Anclote® line of spirits was named for the Anclote River, home harbor to the sponging industry in Tarpon Springs. Anclote Conch Shell Rum was named for the first spongers, African Americans from Key West and the Bahamas. When they passed away their graves were marked with conch shells, which can still be seen at the Rose Cemetery today.

Claresso®, a unique spirit distilled from a grain mash with sugar and espresso, comes from the Spanish word "claro" which means clear, and espresso. Unlike all the other coffee spirits on the market, the flavor is distilled in, not infused!

 

Guaco Loco is another spirit completely exclusive to Tarpon Springs Distillery. It’s made from avocado, jalapeno, lime zest, and cumin. It tastes like guacamole on a corn chip, which is crazy (loco), thus the name.

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