Whisky makers around the world are looking for ways to innovate with different grains, terroir, yeast strains, the production process, the climate, and even the barrels where they age their products but we haven’t found any lately talking about the architectural space where they age their spirits. Here, design is important as it is where the magic happens when whisky ages. Some of the many relevant subjects to consider are air circulation, temperature generation, isolation, materials, and technical manipulation of barrels to mention a few.

Ancient Andean buildings are an important source of inspiration that can be applied to change the interpretation of aging whisky. Ancient indigenous constructions can be found spread across Bolivia. Some used for housing, others as tombs or Chullpas, each has its own personality which we plan to include in our attempt to innovate in the space to age whisky.
Don´t let the mud mislead you, inside every Chullpa there will be an architectural space designed specifically to age barrels properly in an underground environment that heats, maintains moisture and circulates air with passive solar technology.

Aside from the amazing architectural structure, the smell will be the final detail to stamp long-lasting memories in visitors. The damp smell of earth along with the grains across the different woods will leave powerful impressions on people as we consider the experience thrown in this space extremely important to develop the market for whisky in Bolivia. Besides the tours, we will have our headquarters, a conceptual bar, tasting rooms and a space for events.
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Absolute personality

Our mud houses will be jewels of the andean landscape surrounded by breathtaking sceneries

They represent history, culture, noble materials and technology that combined will allow the proper maturation of spirits at 4.000 meters above sea level.

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Strategic Development

Brickhouses, Rickhouses and Dunnage warehouses are topics that whisky lovers tend to debate in the effect they have on whisky and they haven't changed much in centuries.

From our perspective, our warehouses play a determinant role in a mixed combination of features. On one hand, they represent a distinctive process that plays an important role in the differentiation of our products, an area where very few distilleries dived. The adequate design and location play an even more important role in boosting our exposure because we need places that can be designed to go viral on social media. The strong identity, the sustainable materials and the passive solar heating technology are details that will attract a wider audience that we consider critical. The mystic experience that we plan to throw in these spaces will create emotional bonds with every visitor, no matter if they are customers, strategic partners, employees or common tourists. Our temple will attract the curiosity of important journalists that play a huge role in the international exposure we need. These bonds will strategically enhance our efforts to position Bolivian whisky in the world. We consider this strategic space a tool, and without it the marketing efforts to get a similar exposure will cost even more than the infrastructure.

Barrels interact with the space around and our underground rooms will be built with specific muds that both isolate temperature and carry minerality.


They will create unique favorable conditions to age spirits, getting advantage of the solar intensity at 4,000 meters of altitude (13,000 feet) while maintaining proper air circulation.

Part of our strategy is to use our iconic infrastructure to set us apart from other brands by throwing activities that earn loyal customers with tours, tastings, and private events.
We need to throw epic experiences to visitors and the space is an important tool to educate about whisky.

Given that our houses will be specifically designed to age spirits, they are also attractive for other producers to rent space to age their spirits.


Our inspiration comes from the alcohol rituals in ancient cultural celebrations. The sacred grain alcohol or Chicha was used on many occasions as a holy offering to mother earth, to the sun god, to the dead, to the devil, and even as a peace offering to enemies. These experiences take place in particular spaces, with certain materials.

Our rooms indirectly relate to some current topics of interest such as: Climate change, nature, biodiversity, natural resources, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

At the same time, they add competitiveness to our company and products.

Buildings with a strong identity that represent positive values generate better relations with stakeholders. They can even boost the confidence of the community that surrounds them.


Learn more about this:

Chullpas
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CURRENT STATE OF THE PROJECT:
INVESTMENT REQUIRED

 
1Why is this branch important?
Our underground mud houses combine three strategic purposes that help us differentiate the company and products, develop a market for whisky, and that are designed to age spirits under unique conditions.
2What is the strategy behind this branch?
Bolivia is currently an immature whisky market and in order to develop it with a culture of appreciation and knowledge, we need a physical space where we can educate visitors, earning loyal customers and advocacy. By having a unique architecture inspired by local andean cultures, we add identity with which many bolivians can identify. At the same time, the design, technology and functionality will add exposure towards other interests such as culture, architecture, and sustainable energy.

By having different warehouses located in different places of Bolivia, we aim to create a whisky trail that will introduce tourists to our different cultures, their wisdom, and their environments. These stops also alleviate the trip for tourists in their journey to the Andean salt flats where we also plan to have a salt house.
3Is this branch ready to hit the market?
We have already been working on the conceptualization, engineering, and architectural starting points. We require investment in order to buy the land, finish developing the project and construct the first complex that will be strategically located in the department of La Paz. From then on we will build the different warehouses according to the quantity of barrels we fill.
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