Borjomi

Borjomi is a Georgian brand of naturally carbonated mineral water sourced from springs in the Borjomi Gorge of central Georgia. The water is associated with a distinctive volcanic and artesian geological system: precipitation and meltwater from the high Bakuriani mountains filter through the surrounding strata, acquire minerals, and rise naturally under carbon-dioxide pressure rather than being pumped. The springs emerge warm, and the water is transported through a dedicated pipeline to bottling facilities in the town of Borjomi. The springs were known locally for centuries, but Borjomi became a commercial and cultural phenomenon during the nineteenth century. Russian Imperial troops stationed in the region encountered the waters in 1829, after which military and medical authorities began examining their properties. The water attracted the attention of officials and aristocratic visitors, and the settlement developed as a spa destination. A mineral-water park opened in 1850, followed by an early bottling facility in 1854. The arrival of the Mikhaylovo–Borjomi railway in 1894 made the resort easier to reach and helped connect the water with consumers across the Russian Empire. Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov established a major bottling plant in 1894, and Borjomi became associated with the Romanov family, imperial tourism, and the image of a Caucasian alternative to European spa waters such as Vichy. Production expanded rapidly, moving from small nineteenth-century volumes to millions of bottles before the First World War. After the Russian Revolution and the Soviet takeover of Georgia, the enterprise was nationalized. During the Soviet period Borjomi became a major domestic product and export, with especially strong recognition across the Soviet Union. Its distribution, status, and association with health-oriented consumption made it one of the best-known Soviet beverage brands. The collapse of the Soviet Union caused a major disruption to production and distribution. Bottling restarted in 1995 under the Georgian Glass and Mineral Waters Company, which rebuilt the brand and expanded exports. The company also faced widespread counterfeiting in the 1990s; redesigned packaging and stronger brand management helped restore consumer confidence. Borjomi's signature green glass, deer emblem, and Georgian provenance became central elements of its identity. The brand has had a particularly complicated relationship with the Russian market. In 2006, Russia prohibited imports of Georgian mineral water, a decision Georgia characterized as politically motivated. The ban sharply affected Borjomi's sales and exports, although the company later reported a recovery in volumes. Imports resumed in 2013. The brand remains distributed internationally and is especially prominent in post-Soviet markets, while its export footprint has been described as extending to approximately 40 countries. Borjomi is currently produced by IDS Borjomi Georgia, part of IDS Borjomi International. In 2022, the controlling shareholder transferred a minority stake in the international holding structure to the Government of Georgia in connection with compliance with international sanctions. The arrangement gave the Georgian government representation on the board. The broader product portfolio associated with the Borjomi-Bakuriani valley includes Borjomi mineral water as well as Likani and Bakuriani brands. Borjomi itself is positioned as a premium, heritage-led Georgian mineral water, sold in glass, PET, and aluminum formats. Its current visual identity combines a classic oval label, the brand logotype, the deer symbol, and imagery evoking the local landscape. The brand's relationship with the Russian market has been particularly complicated. In 2006, Russia banned imports of Georgian mineral water, a decision Georgia regarded as politically motivated. The ban severely affected Borjomi's sales and exports, though the company later reported recovering volumes. Imports resumed in 2013. The brand continues to be distributed internationally, especially in post-Soviet markets, with an export footprint described as extending to about 40 countries.

Archaeological evidence indicates that the mineral springs of the Borjomi valley were used more than a millennium ago. Rock basins dating to around the seventh century suggest that early inhabitants used the waters, probably for bathing. The springs later fell out of regular use as warfare and depopulation transformed the valley into a heavily forested and difficult-to-access area. The modern history of Borjomi began in 1829, when soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army's Kherson Grenadier Regiment discovered springs near the Borjomi River during military operations against the Ottoman Empire. Colonel Pavel Popov ordered the area cleaned and the water collected. After trying it for his own stomach ailment, he supported the construction of protective masonry, a bathing facility, and a small residence. In 1837, medical officer Amirov analyzed the water and sent early findings to authorities in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. The springs gained official attention in the 1840s. Yevgeni Golovin, the Russian viceroy in the Caucasus, brought his daughter to Borjomi, and the reported improvement in her condition helped increase the waters' reputation. The springs were named Yekaterinsky and Yevgeniyevsky in honor of Golovin's family. In 1850, a public mineral-water park opened, and in 1854 authorities commissioned a bottling plant. Borjomi then developed both as a health resort and as a commercial water enterprise, with hotels, parks, residences, and transport infrastructure built for visitors. A railway connection completed in 1894 shortened the journey from Tiflis and stimulated tourism and distribution. That same year, Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov built a larger bottling facility in Borjomi Park. A glass factory followed in 1896. By the early twentieth century, the water was being sold throughout the Russian Empire and had become associated with the imperial family, prominent visitors, and the phrase 'Russian Vichy.' Production rose from 1,350 bottles in 1854 to more than nine million bottles in 1913. Following the Russian Revolution and the Soviet incorporation of Georgia, the business was nationalized. Borjomi became a mass-market Soviet product and a major export. Geological exploration in the gorge expanded during the Soviet era, and dozens of wells were drilled between 1927 and 1982. In 1961, the water was exported to 15 countries, including the United States, France, and Austria. Production reached approximately 400 million bottles annually in the 1980s, and Borjomi was regarded as one of the Soviet Union's most recognizable brands. The end of the Soviet system brought economic contraction and a steep decline in production. Bottling resumed in 1995 under the Georgian Glass and Mineral Waters Company, which expanded output and rebuilt the export business. Counterfeit products carrying the Borjomi name became a problem during the 1990s. A packaging and brand-distinction campaign helped restore the product's market reputation by 2000, while the 1998 Russian financial crisis reduced some of the incentive for counterfeit distribution. Russia's 2006 import ban on Georgian mineral waters was the most consequential modern disruption. The company reported substantial losses and a sharp decline in sales, but it later stated that volumes had recovered by 2008 and returned to, or exceeded, pre-ban levels in subsequent years. Russian imports resumed in 2013. The brand has continued to sell across Georgia, Russia, neighboring post-Soviet markets, and a broader international network. Borjomi's modern production system uses springs in several exploitation areas of the Borjomi Gorge. Water travels through a long stainless-steel pipeline to separate glass and PET bottling plants, where it is cooled and packaged. The brand has periodically updated its visual design: a 2011 redesign emphasized the relief of the deer and manufacturer mark, a minimalist redesign appeared in 2019, and a 2024 update returned to a more heritage-oriented appearance. Since 2022, IDS Borjomi International has included the Government of Georgia as a minority shareholder following a sanctions-related ownership arrangement. Borjomi remains an active Georgian export brand whose identity combines mineral-water provenance, spa history, national symbolism, and Soviet-era recognition.

• 2024

  Heritage-oriented packaging returns

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  The latest design returned to a classic oval format with the deer emblem and local landscape references.

• 2022

  Georgian government receives minority stake

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  A minority share in the controlling structure was transferred to the Government of Georgia in a sanctions-related ownership arrangement.

• 2019

  Minimalist packaging introduced

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  Borjomi adopted a simpler packaging design featuring a more contemporary look and silver accents.

• 2007

  ISO 22000 certification

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  Bureau Veritas awarded the production operation an ISO 22000 certificate covering food-safety and quality-management requirements.

• 1995

  Post-Soviet bottling restarts

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  The Georgian Glass and Mineral Waters Company restarted bottling and began rebuilding the international business.

• 1961

  Exported to 15 countries

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  Borjomi was exported to 15 countries, including the United States, France, and Austria.

• 1927

  Soviet-era geological exploration begins

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  Systematic exploration of the Borjomi Gorge began during the Soviet period and continued for decades.

• 1913

  Pre-First World War expansion

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  Annual sales exceeded nine million bottles, demonstrating the water's reach across the Russian Empire.

• 1894

  Romanov bottling plant and railway connection

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov established a major bottling plant, while a railway connection made Borjomi more accessible to tourists and consumers.

• 1854

  First bottling plant commissioned

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  Authorities commissioned an early bottling facility, allowing the water to be distributed beyond the springs.

• 1850

  Mineral-water park opens

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  A public mineral-water park was established as Borjomi developed into a spa and visitor destination.

• 1829

  Modern rediscovery of the springs

  [1]Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org

  Russian Imperial soldiers stationed in the Borjomi area encountered the mineral springs, beginning the modern commercial and medical history of the water.

Premium heritage Georgian mineral water with a distinctive mineral profile, volcanic origin, and strong spa and imperial-era associations.

• Naturally carbonated mineral water · 1890

  Borjomi

  The flagship water is drawn from artesian springs in the Borjomi Gorge. It is naturally carbonated, mineral-rich, and associated with a deep geological filtration process and volcanic origin. The water is transported from the spring fields to bottling plants, cooled, and packaged without changing its characteristic mineral composition. Formats have included green glass bottles, PET bottles, and aluminum cans, with sizes varying by market.

• Mineral water

  Likani

  Likani is a mineral-water brand produced within the wider IDS Borjomi Georgia portfolio and associated with the Borjomi-Bakuriani valley. It is distinct from the flagship Borjomi label but forms part of the same regional mineral-water business.

• Bottled water

  Bakuriani

  Bakuriani is another water brand in the IDS Borjomi Georgia portfolio. It is associated with the Borjomi-Bakuriani region and complements Borjomi's naturally carbonated mineral-water proposition within the company's broader bottled-water range.

• 2006

  Russian import ban and political controversy

  Russia banned imports of Georgian mineral waters, officially citing safety concerns. Georgian authorities and the company regarded the measure as politically connected to tensions between Russia and Georgia. The ban materially disrupted Borjomi's Russian business until imports resumed in 2013.

  Source

• 1990

  Counterfeit products using the Borjomi label

  During the 1990s, rising piracy and counterfeit beverages using the Borjomi name created a brand-protection problem. Packaging differentiation and renewed marketing were used to help consumers identify authentic products.

  Source

Read more

• 2024Return to heritage packaging

  International

  Borjomi introduced a design centered on an oval label containing the logotype, deer emblem, and a depiction of the local landscape, reconnecting the contemporary package with the brand's historic visual codes. The brand's current packaging emphasizes Georgian origin and heritage.

  Outcome. The brand's current packaging emphasizes Georgian origin and heritage.

  Source
• 2000Distinctive packaging and anti-counterfeit repositioning

  Georgia · Russia · Post-Soviet markets

  After counterfeit products became widespread during the 1990s, Borjomi strengthened its packaging and visual identity to make genuine bottles easier to distinguish and to rebuild consumer trust. The brand reported that its reputation had recovered by 2000, while counterfeit activity later diminished.

  Outcome. The brand reported that its reputation had recovered by 2000, while counterfeit activity later diminished.

  Source

• 2022

  Transfer of a minority stake to the Georgian governmentOther

  Background

  The controlling company of IDS Borjomi International faced the need to comply with international sanctions.

  Action taken

  A minority shareholding was transferred to the Government of Georgia without payment, and the government obtained board representation.

  Aftermath

  IDS Borjomi International continued operating with the Georgian state represented in its governance structure.

  Source

• 2006

  Respond to the Russian import banStrategy

  Background

  Russia prohibited imports of Georgian mineral waters, removing a major destination for Borjomi exports.

  Action taken

  The company pursued recovery through alternative export markets and later prepared for the reopening of Russian distribution.

  Aftermath

  The company reported that sales returned to earlier levels by 2010 and exceeded pre-ban levels in 2011.

  Source

• 1995

  Restart post-Soviet productionStrategy

  Background

  The collapse of the Soviet Union and economic stagnation in independent Georgia had sharply reduced production and distribution.

  Action taken

  The Georgian Glass and Mineral Waters Company restarted bottling and pursued export-led growth.

  Aftermath

  Production expanded substantially and Borjomi rebuilt its position in Georgian and international markets.

  Source

1. 1Borjomi (water)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Borjomi official websiteborjomi.com