Georgia, a European country located along the Black Sea, is renowned for its winemaking heritage, which dates back 8,000 years. In 2017, Jimsher Chkhaidze introduced the first Georgian whisky, using the nation’s wide variety of wine barrels. We spoke to him to learn more about the distillery and its global aspirations.

What motivated you to transition from winemaking to whisky?

After a long winemaking career, my fascination with whisky – both as a spirit and as a cultural phenomenon – led me to explore a new frontier. I wanted to create an authentic whisky that honours Georgia’s winemaking legacy while adhering to the strict standards of traditional whisky, but infused with Georgian character. By utilising wine barrels, we have created a synergy between two rich cultures.

How has the whisky brand evolved?

In 2005, I started experimenting with recipes, testing different distillates and cask finishes. We engaged in a continuous cycle of research and development from 2005 to 2016, refining our formula and solidifying the concept of the final product. We officially announced the project in 2016, and bottled the first bottle of Jimsher Whisky in 2017. Our initial production featured a blended whisky aged in three distinct cask types: Saperavi and Tsinandali wine, and Georgian brandy barrels.

The emergence of Georgian whisky on the local market was initially met with scepticism. However, we persevered in our work and development. In 2017, we submitted our products to The Global Spirits Masters Competitions, where we earned our first international recognition, fuelling our ambition and momentum.

Since then, we have introduced our fourth release, Jimsher Trio, as well as Jimsher Symphony single malt. Today, we can confidently say that our efforts have paid off, and there is a growing sense of pride in Georgia for having our own whisky.

What makes Georgian whisky unique?

The uniqueness of Georgian whisky lies in the seamless fusion of two great cultures and storied traditions – the country’s winemaking heritage and traditional whisky distillation. Our whisky is made with classic malted barley, both peated and unpeated, as well as selected grain cereals. For distillation, we use two distinct methods: the first, a batch-distillation process, where everything is done manually and double distilled, similar to classic Scotch production. We also utilise a continuous distillation system for our blended whiskies. But most importantly, our whiskies are aged in Georgian wine casks for at least five years before being used to create our blends. This is where Jimsher Whisky develops its unique aroma and velvety texture. The exceptional character of Georgian whisky is further elevated by unique, naturally mineral water sourced from the Caucasus Mountains. I encourage everyone to try Georgian whisky, and we would be delighted to hear their thoughts.

What innovations does the brand have in the pipeline?

We have already developed outstanding methods of fermentation and smoking that are authentically Georgian. We also plan to introduce releases associated with the Georgian qvevri, the traditional clay vessel. Our internal experiments have already revealed that these vessels create entirely distinct flavour profiles. This will be a significant surprise for the global whisky industry. Moreover, we feature an ampelographic vineyard museum that showcases 427 grape varieties, both Georgian and international. Our spirits are currently maturing in wine casks made from 427 distinct varieties, yielding truly unique flavours.

What are your plans for the whisky?

Our ambition is to establish Jimsher as a key player in the international whisky market. Outside Georgia, Jimsher Whisky is already exported to 13 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia, with the number of export markets continuing to grow each year. We also actively participate in international spirits exhibitions. This year, for example, we took part in ProSpirits 2026 in Düsseldorf, the China International Import Expo, and the Whisky Messe Graz festival in Austria.

A key aspect of our strategy is to make a significant mark in the single malt category. Whisky enthusiasts are always on the hunt for the next ‘big discovery’, and Georgian whisky holds transformative potential. By merging our ancient heritage with innovative ageing techniques, Jimsher is set to become a remarkable new force in the world of whisky.