Whisky from Azerbaijan

[Ger Maijntz]

The Azerbaijan-based company Tovuz-Baltiya is to start whisky production by the end of the year.

Tovuz-Baltiya's general director, Naig Mammadhasanov, told APA about the company's plans.

“We’ll start to produce whisky under the brand Azeri Whisky by the end of this year and export it and other products to Hungary, the Czech Republic, Estonia, China, India and Scandinavia. We’re holding talks and will export our products to these countries," Mammadhasanov said.

Tovuz-Baltiya has introduced new technology and is already producing fruit and berry-based wines and spirits: “We decided against bringing spirits from Ukraine, Iran and Russia and are producing vodka with our own raw materials. We have started the production of a new brand of alcohol from watermelon, quince, pomegranate and other fruits,” the general director told APA.

Tovuz-Baltiya at present exports to Japan, Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.

It has an annual production capacity of 5 million bottles.

Tovuz was founded in December 1989 and was the first private plant producing wine and brandy in the Soviet Union. The company was officially renamed Tovuz-Baltiya in 1993 to recognize the collaboration with long-standing associates from Latvia and Lithuania.

Its wineries and distilleries are located in Azerbaijan's western Tovuz District, which has good conditions for the growing of grapes and other fruit.

Didn't try but will do soon. Keep you posted