Georgian Distiller Patents Method for Qvevri-made Whiskey

TBILISI – Georgian distiller Aleko Kvernadze has patented a method for making whiskey using Georgian earthenware vessels known as qvevri.

“We’ve been developing this idea for two years. No one has come up with anything like this, Kvernadze said. “We originally tried this more as an experiment to see what clay does as a catalyst when making high quality alcoholic products.”

Used for fermentation, storage and ageing, qvevri are an 8,000 year-old wine making tool that – according to UNESCO – is entirely unique to Georgia.

Qvevri-made whiskey is unique in that it is a very aromatic pure alcohol that comes from the natural maximum filtration.

Kvernadze believes his method of making whiskey will be of interest around the world as it is entirely unique compared to other types of hard alcohol.

He explained that the clay from which qvevri are made purifies alcohol in ways other technologies cannot.

“Vodka is essentially pure spirit that can be used to make whiskey. Using our qvevri, we’ve restored Georgia’s ancient mountain traditions. Grapes don't grow in the high mountains, so our ancestors used to make vodka from grain. If they had aged Zhipitauri, a type of low alcoholic vodka, they would have made whiskey. But, they didn’t know what to do with that type of technology back then,” said Kvernadze.

By Ana Akhalaia

Edited by Nichilas Waller