One of the founding goals of our distillery was to create an authentic Cypriot whisky—a whisky whose production begins and ends in Cyprus. From the cultivation of local cereals to distillation, maturation, and bottling, every stage of the process takes place on the island.
Our research began more than six years ago, with the systematic study and documentation of local grain varieties—an essential step in developing a truly Cypriot whisky recipe. During this process, we identified a barley variety known as Kythrea.
Kythrea is a six-row barley, unlike the two-row varieties that dominate modern cultivation. It is a local strain, historically known for its resilience to drought and its strong enzymatic power, characteristics that make it particularly well-suited for whisky production.
The connection was immediate and deeply symbolic. On one level, the name Kythrea refers to our ancestral home. On another, it represents a grain that has adapted and endured the adversities of the Cypriot landscape—much like the people themselves. The choice was inevitable.
We sourced the initial seed quantities from the state seed production centre (SOPAZ area) and selected two cultivation zones: Mathiatis and Agios Giannis, Malounta. Our collaboration with local farmers was based on a simple and transparent agreement: we provided the seed free of charge; after harvest, we received twice the original volume, while the remaining yield remained entirely with the farmer. A non-negotiable condition was the exclusive use of organic pesticides and insecticides.
Following harvest and cleaning, the barley underwent malting, allowing starches to be converted into fermentable sugars. Fermentation followed, during which yeast transformed these sugars into alcohol. Distillation separated alcohol from water, after which the spirit was aged in oak barrels and finally bottled.
This is the story of Kythrea.
For us, however, Kythrea is far more than a name or a reference to our occupied homeland. It is a source of strength—a way of transforming longing into purpose. It embodies our commitment to innovation, creativity, and uncompromising excellence. Above all, it is a promise: that Cypriot raw materials will always come first, and that every bottle we produce will reflect that principle.
You are warmly invited to visit the distillery to learn more—and to taste Kythrea for yourself.
Aris & Marianna Aristidou
