The Barbayiannis distillery is the most famous producer of Plomari ouzo and the best place in town to understand the spirit. The distillery has been in continuous operation since the 1860s, using copper pot stills to produce ouzo from neutral grape spirit redistilled with aniseed and other botanicals. The original still room can be visited; the equipment, while maintained, retains an artisanal character that distinguishes the place from a modern industrial facility.
Attached to the distillery is the Barbayiannis Ouzo Museum, which traces the history of ouzo production on Lesbos from the late Ottoman period to the present. Displays cover the botany of star anise, the chemistry of distillation, the social history of the ouzeri, and the economics of the Greek spirits trade. Tasting is included; you can sample the different Barbayiannis expressions and compare them to understand what distinguishes Plomari's style — a higher anise content and a slightly sweeter finish than the Athenian brands.