Visit the 1000 Hills Distillery in Kigali Rwanda
Visit the 1000 Hills Distillery in Kigali Rwanda – Attractions in Kigali Rwanda
Visit the 1000 hills distillery – Founded in 2014 by two gentlemen with a love of fine whisky, stunning views and a strong sense of pride in working with local communities, 1000 Hills Distillery was born. But like most great ideas, originally they thought of starting a vineyard, but lucky for us, they thought better!
To be honest, it’s a challenge to find high quality ingredients, but one of the reasons we chose Rwanda in addition to the amazing resilience of the country is that we could source materials locally, thus supporting micro and small businesses.
Since our beginning we come to produce six unique Made in Rwanda, , a Coffee Liqueur, Vodka, Light Spiced Rum, London Dry Gin, Macadamia Nut Liqueur and Single Malt Whisky! In addition, we also produce a variety of infused coffees with our liquors!
Unlike most alcohol companies, social impact is at the heart of the company! Throughout our triple distillation process, we have a number of by-products. For instance, we’ve teamed up with leading international development agencies in Rwanda which are offering technical training to small holder farmers so they can use our distillers’ residues to increase their crop and livestock production. Not to mention, we work closely with local government to use the Methanol by-product to make a low-cost mosquito repellent. Our goal is to try and help as many people as we can with what we have.
visit the 1000 Hills Distillery was started by an American expat in 2014 and is the only distillery in Rwanda. So beer lovers worrying that their wont be any things to do in Kigali concerning the brew, you’re mistaken. The tradition of distilling alcohol is not very strong in the country so the founder had to spend some time talking to the government and discussing the industry’s regulations, all the way helping to shape them based on his experience elsewhere.
You can book one of two tours: the distillery only or a distillery tour followed by some tapas at the restaurant. While the tour is a casual chat about how the various spirits are made followed by a short tasting. It is quite an interesting way to spend an hour and you will leave knowing how Whiskey, Vodka, Gin and a coffee liquor are made.
The distillery’s location is also stunning, up on one of the many hills of Kigali with views of the valleys below, worth a sunset drink or a dinner even if you don’t do the tour.
A tour of the 1000 Hills Distillery is a great activity to do on your way back from the Volcanoes National Park to trek with the gorillas as most flights leave late at night and you are likely to leave your hotel after lunch, having a few free hours to fit the tour and dinner in. And you can maybe even buy a bottle or two to take home.