Yeni Raki Distillery

In deep economic depression due to World War II, The Republic of Turkey, in order to increase income flowing into its treasury, appropriated the manufacture of rakı from the private sector entirely, turning it over to the government monopoly, ‘’Tekel’’. The same year, Yeni Rakı (‘’New Rakı’’) was introduced. Its name is a reflection of this ‘’new’’ period. Then, it has been banned for private producers to produce rakı. Privatization laws bring Tekel’s 60-year monopoly on alcohol production to an end, and the market was reopened to manufacturers. Tekel’s alcoholic beverages division was bought by the Mey Company, established by private entrepreneurs. Due to Mey’s encouraging potential and continuous growth, Diageo which is the leading alcohol and spirits company, acquired Mey Diageo 2011.