Rwanda’s 1000 Hills Distillery brewing up a storm with locally grown macadamia nuts

Rwanda's 1000 Hills Distillery has recently unveiled its latest product, Macadamia Nut Liqueur, in partnership with Rwanda Nut Company (RNUT). The Manager of 1000 Hills, Andrew Herweg, shared insights into the collaboration during an interview with CNBC Africa. The partnership between 1000 Hills Distillery and Rwanda Nut Company began approximately nine months ago. The idea for the Macadamia Nut Liqueur stemmed from a fortuitous event when Herweg found two kilos of macadamia nuts on his desk. The distillery conducted internal research and experimentation to create a high-quality product. Herweg emphasized the importance of utilizing locally sourced ingredients to produce their entire range of offerings. This collaboration is not the first of its kind for 1000 Hills Distillery. Herweg discussed a previous successful partnership with Question Coffee, which shares a similar ethos of working with local farmers and sourcing ingredients locally. The coffee liquor developed in collaboration with Question Coffee received positive feedback from the local market due to its unique taste profile. Despite macadamia nuts being the most expensive nut globally, Herweg stated that the Macadamia Nut Liqueur is positioned as an 'affordable luxury' comparable in price to their other products. The pricing strategy aims to cater to the local market while maintaining high-quality standards. In terms of export, the Macadamia Nut Liqueur is scheduled to be introduced in Japan, the second-largest consumer of macadamia nuts worldwide. The collaboration with RNUT, supported by a Japanese group, facilitates 1000 Hills Distillery's entry into the Japanese market. Additionally, the distillery already exports five products to the Netherlands, leveraging co-founder Stefan Nove's connections there. Herweg expressed gratitude for the support received from Rwandan government institutions, such as the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), in ensuring product quality and export readiness. The Rwandan Development Board (RDB) and logistical partners have also played crucial roles in facilitating the export process. Challenges faced by the distillery include supply chain logistics and fluctuating ingredient prices. Despite these hurdles, the company remains committed to sourcing ingredients locally or regionally to support small businesses and create job opportunities within the community. While currently focused on promoting the Macadamia Nut Liqueur, 1000 Hills Distillery remains open to expanding collaborations with Rwanda Nut Company and exploring new market opportunities across Africa. The distillery's revenue primarily stems from liquor sales, with the restaurant component serving as a complementary business strategy. Looking ahead, 1000 Hills Distillery aims to strengthen its presence in Rwanda's hospitality sector by partnering with hotels, restaurants, and lodges. Plans for market expansion include targeting neighboring countries and further solidifying the brand's position both locally and internationally.