An Orthodox monastery in Finland is set to become the country's largest whiskey producer, according to local media reports.
The monastery, which is already in the wine-production business, is prepared to invest millions of euros into the construction of a distillery, Finnish MTV News reported Wednesday. It expects to produce 120,000 liters of the spirit annually.
The finished product will be bottled at Finland's historic Hermannin Winery, the oldest in the country.
Bottles of Valaam Whiskey will reach liquor stores in spring 2018.
The spirit will be produced in the New Valaam Monastery in Finland, which was established in 1940 by monks who had been evacuated from their old monastery in Russia's Karelia.
The original Valaam Monastery was occupied by Soviet forces shortly after the evacuation, but was reopened in 1989, and is now frequented by President Vladimir Putin. Unlike the Finnish monastery, it does not produce any alcoholic beverages.
See also:
Religious Pilgrimages on Blimp or Bike Not Real, Russian Orthodox Church Says
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.