At Global Beverages, we believe that behind every exceptional drink stands an exceptional person. That is why we asked Oleg Nazarov — a renowned restaurant critic and journalist — to share his impressions from a meeting with our expert, Boris Kim, Vice President of the Bartenders Association of Kazakhstan.
The meeting was arranged by Kairat Ulybеkov, a well-known Almaty restaurateur and long-time partner of Global Beverages: “Boris is someone you have to meet in person. No description captures what happens when he starts talking about drinks. I had long wanted to introduce him to Oleg — and I am glad it finally happened.”
Oleg Nazarov, who met Boris for the first time over a tasting table, shares his impressions: “I travel a great deal and meet all kinds of people, but Boris is a special case. A regular bartender from Karaganda who became national champion four times, visited every distillery in Scotland, learned vodka production at Absolut in Sweden, and personally served 56 heads of state — all while not drinking alcohol at all until the age of 30. When he told me he had created the ‘Kurultay’ cocktail for Putin and Tokayev at the SCO Summit, I was speechless. The recipe, he said, cannot be disclosed — he signed a confidentiality agreement. I believe him.”
Boris himself speaks about his work with quiet precision: “Kazakhstan produces a world-class product — and that is not an empty claim. Xaoma won the world championship in London. The foundation is organic alpha-spirit from northern grain, water from ancient natural sources, and local botanicals. This is not marketing. This is chemistry and geography.”
Over the course of the evening, Oleg and Boris tasted Qazaq Eli Nomad Select — a premium vodka crafted using both traditional and modern Kazakhstani techniques, including silver filtration. That moment is captured in the photograph: two professionals, one drink, no pretense.
Then Boris produced the evening’s main surprise. Oleg was among the very first people in the world to try a new release — Noble BURKIT, a vodka aged for six months, which Boris had brought especially for the occasion.
At Global Beverages, we are proud that people like Boris Kim are part of our team. And meetings like this one are the best proof that behind the world of fine drinks lie stories worth telling.
Noble BURKIT — a new arrival on the Kazakhstani market.
Xaoma Gold was named the best vodka of 2025 at the London Spirits Competition 2025.
