Why the Name Kari? A Year-One Celebration
Virunga Mountain Spirits · 23 April 2025
Since our launch in December 2024, Kari Vodka has earned Gold and Best Varietal Vodka at the World Vodka Awards 2025, reached more than 50 outlets across Rwanda, and made its US debut with a launch at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. More than 1,200 visitors toured the distillery in the last quarter of 2025 alone — and Kari Gin has now joined the family.
So — Why "Kari"?
The name joins the first four letters of Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda's tallest peak, with the last four of Mount Bisoke — the two volcanoes that frame our home in Musanze.
It honors the Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey on September 24, 1967, in the saddle between the two mountains — and nicknamed "Kari." Her legacy of protecting the mountain gorillas lives on in the forests above our distillery.
Greetings from Musanze
What's next? Expansion to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania is on the horizon — and there's always a cocktail waiting at Kinigi Table. Thanks for following along on this journey from the foothills of the Virungas.
Back to the Blog