Brandy is the most recognized drink and also the one that has brought the most international fame to the Republic of Armenia, a country located in the Caucasus on the borders of Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran. Information provided by the
It is believed that this wine brandy was already distilled in those lands at the time of the Babylonians, long before its consumption became popular in Europe from the 14th century.
Currently, the most famous brandy in this small country is Ararat, made by the Yerevan Brandy Company, which monopolized its production during the Soviet period and which today is the heir to that great industry that emerged in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, in 1887.
Since then, this company has been a supplier of Armenian brandy at the court of Tsar Nicholas II. Since then, it has been praised by discerning French cognac makers and has been awarded medals at various World’s Fairs.
Brandy takes its name from Mount Ararat, considered sacred and cited in the Bible, because on its slopes Noah planted the first vine after leaving his ark. It is a symbol of identity and pride for the Armenian people, probably one of the oldest in the world.
To make this drink, only local grape varieties with unique properties are used, thanks to the microclimate of the Ararat Valley, and the double distillation method preserves its flavor and aroma.
The brandy is aged exclusively in Armenian oak barrels, which give the liquid exclusive aromas and flavors reminiscent of nuts, spices, dark chocolate and vanilla.
Each of the seven spirits included in the Ararat line -3 stars, 5 stars, Ani, Otborny, Akhtamar, Vaspurakan and Nairi- have their own identity and different nuances.
In 1998, the Yerevan Brandy Company became part of the French company Pernod Ricard, a world leader in premium wines and spirits. Thanks to the collaboration with this international group, the legendary Ararat brand has positioned itself as one of the most prestigious and rare brandies in the world.
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In 2011, the Yerevan Brandy Company launched the Exclusive Collection selection, which encompasses the most exquisite and unique brandies in the Ararat range: Armenia and Dvin.
The latter is a select cognac aged for 10 years. It is distinguished by being the same one that the first British Minister Sir Winston Churchill became fond of after the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin used it to toast during the historic Yalta Conference, which in 1945 brought together the main leaders of the allied powers that fought against Nazi Germany.
For its part, Armenia brandy is a limited edition of 10,000 bottles, created specifically to commemorate the country’s Independence Day, on September 21, 1991. The spirits used for this precious blend were aged in oak barrels from 1991 to put up for sale in 2011.
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