Jerusalem Distillery Puts City's Air Into Award-Winning Vodka

Thinkers Distillery in Jerusalem has taken the art of spirits-making to a level few imagined possible by literally distilling the city’s air into its bottles.

The process begins with capturing and condensing Jerusalem’s atmosphere into pure drinking water, which is then filtered three times. Activated carbon removes heavier elements like sulfur and iodine, while a final platinum filter clears lighter compounds such as acetone. The result, the distillers claim, is an exceptionally clean foundation for spirits.

“Here we make the best alcohol in the world, specifically the best vodka in the world,” a spokesperson for the distillery said proudly to Thank You Hashem reporter.

She states that their vodka recently won a unanimous double gold medal. Tasting, they insist, is a first-class experience: aerate, sniff, sip. Forget about aconomy class.

Beyond vodka, Thinkers has also infused symbolism into its gin bottles. Each carries 18 swirls, representing Chai, the Hebrew word for “life”, along with the phrase “Who is wise? The one who learns from every person” in both Hebrew and English.

“That’s why we are Thinkers,” the team explained to Thank You Hashem. “Because we want to think.”

Innovation also extends to their bourbon, or what they call their “dual citizen.” To meet legal standards, bourbon must be produced in the United States. Thinkers sends its recipe to be distilled there, matures it six months at sea, and then ages it a further three and a half years in Haifa, a journey that blends American tradition with Israeli character.

From the air of Jerusalem to barrels on the Mediterranean coast, Thinkers Distillery is building a reputation for spirits that are as much about storytelling and symbolism as they are about taste.