Thanos Karathanos – The “Alchemist” of distillation and aging

It would take an entire paragraph to record the many facets of Thanos Karathanos: Chemist–Oenologist, distiller, master blender, viticulturist, professor, president of the Greek Oenologists, quality consultant, judge at international competitions, author. His students call him “Daskalos” (Teacher). His colleagues describe him as a “poet,” a “maestro,” an “artist.” His friends see in him an authentic “bon vivant,” who turns his back on the dictates of lifestyle. The essence (his own, at least) lies elsewhere: in his deep, almost “genetic” connection to the vineyard and in the philosophy of life that defines every one of his choices.

Thanos grew up within the tradition of wine and tsipouro. As a child, he learned from his grandfather what a “kazani” (still) is, how the dough that seals the distiller smells, how heads and tails are separated, what “heart” means in tsipouro – a word he himself believes captures the essence of distillation as much as that of life. With his mother in the vineyard and his father at the winery of the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Karditsa, his first experiences led him to Chemistry, then the closest scientific path to Oenology.

The return to the village – a life decision

After tracing a successful course as an oenologist and executive in major companies, Thanos returned to his roots. He left behind a highly successful and promising career to live and create in his village, Paliouri of Karditsa, beside the nature of the Agrafa mountains. To cultivate his own land, devote himself to his vineyards, and raise his children in the place of his childhood memories.

It was a bold – almost risky – decision. At a time when Greece was entering a deep crisis, he chose the difficult path: cultivation from scratch, new products, extremely expensive barrels, bureaucracy, and a very limited market for something still unknown: a premium aged tsipouro. It was a painstaking process, nearly 30 years of experimentation, yet the result vindicates him! Even if he loses roughly half of the production to the “angels’ share,” the quantity that evaporates over the years. Worth it.

Yet his belief remained unwavering. As with great whiskies, rums, and tequilas, so too with tsipouro: the future lay in ageing. Only here, the raw material – the grape – is incomparably superior. And there Thanos saw not merely a professional opportunity, but a path to elevate a national product onto the global stage. Because even if he returned to his village, he remains a citizen of the world.

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PÚRO: a Greek spirit that changed the rules

The result of this belief is PÚRO – the first premium aged Greek tsipouro. A spirit that quickly attracted the attention of the international audience, garnering articles, features, and recognition from connoisseurs and experts alike.

This was followed by PÚRO SINGLE BARREL AGED 10 YEARS: the first Greek tsipouro aged for more than 10 years, with single barrel and cask strength indications. A true breakthrough for Greek production, which paved the way for dozens of new aged tsipouro labels. A product that connects Greek land with the global stage of great spirits.

The visitor who arrives in Paliouri does not simply encounter a distillery. They find themselves in a calm, authentic corner of Greece. The slopes of the Agrafa define the horizon, the vineyards add color to the landscape, and the village preserves the simplicity of everyday life. Thanos speaks of a place that is both “ideal” and at the same time “forgotten.”

The “good life” and the wealth of simplicity

A visit to the distillery is more than a tasting of a premium spirit. It is a journey into the culture of the vineyard, into an authentic place, and above all an encounter with a person who has transformed knowledge, memory, and tradition into creation. For Thanos, the good life is simple: measure, balance, creativity, friendship, humor, offering. The “revolution of everyday life” he defends is not theoretical; it is practice.