The night train from Tbilisi made its way into Zugdidi Station at 06:00 on a warm August day. Within half-an-hour we were in a minibus, on our way to Mestia and the four-day hike through Svaneti that awaited us. At 08:45, together with two other drivers, we stopped at a roadside diner for breakfast…and chacha. Bellies full and livers working, we got back into the minibus, before stopping again at 11:00 to finish what was left of a sizeable bottle of Georgia’s national spirit. This time, our driver's tolerance left him and, unable to complete the journey, he moved to the passenger seat as a Spanish tourist took over the wheel for the final twenty kilometers.

And thus I was introduced to chacha. While I am a fan, we do have something very similar in Hungary, pálinka, and various mishaps along the years have ensured that my liver’s ability to tolerate this gorgeous liquid is not as great as it once was. Though of course, being a pursuer of Epicurean delights, should I come across some quality stuff, I will not hesitate to indulge.

Quality is what you find at Chacha Corner, Tbilisi’s first exclusive chacha shop. With over 200 varieties from all over Georgia, this is more sanctuary than shop — a temple for connoisseurs of liquor. The prices may be a tad expensive compared to what one is used to in Georgia, but if you’re going to make your liver work, you might as well treat it to the good stuff. After all, everyone deserves a taste of the finer things in life, and Chacha Corner is where you should go and indulge in Georgia’s national spirit.

by Máté Földi 

11 Giga Lortkifanidze Street Tbilisi

TEL (+995) 591 19 77 57

OPEN 10 AM - 11 PM

https://www.facebook.com/Chacha-Corner-172315056655614/