Kari Vodka (750ml)

Kari Vodka is produced by Virunga Mountain Spirits, a craft distillery founded by CEO Karen Sherman in Musanze, Rwanda, at the foothills of the Virunga Mountains. The company operates as a women-led business dedicated to Rwandan craftsmanship and sustainable agriculture, and its flagship vodka takes its name from Mount Karisimbi, the country's highest peak. Kari made its U.S. debut in Washington, DC in November 2024, marking one of the first Rwandan spirits to reach the American market and offering a new international showcase for the country's agricultural traditions.

This vodka is distilled entirely from Kinigi potatoes, sourced from local farmer cooperatives around Musanze and grown in the mineral-rich volcanic soil surrounding the Virunga range. The distillery also draws its water directly from gravity-fed springs originating in the nearby volcanoes, a source prized for its purity. Many of the potatoes used come from "unloved" or imperfect crops that might otherwise go to waste, reflecting the distillery's broader commitment to reducing agricultural loss while supporting the region's farming communities. The finished spirit is bottled at 40% ABV.

The nose and palate carry distinctly earthy notes, with hints of tomato and tarragon that set Kari apart from more neutral, grain-based vodkas. That savory character reflects both the potato base and the volcanic terroir it's grown in, giving the vodka a fuller, more herbaceous profile than typical Western potato vodkas. The finish carries that earthiness through cleanly, closing with a rounded, distinctive warmth.