Ararat (brandy)

Ararat is an Armenian brandy that has been produced by the Yerevan Brandy Company since 1887. It is made from Armenian white grapes and spring water, according to a traditional method.

"Ordinary Brandies", aged for 3, 4, 5, and 6 years ensured the merited fame of the "Ararat Brandy". The soft flavor of the Brandy, based on carefully selected brands of unique wines and pure spring water, help to create a specific delight, oriental warmth, and unique taste for each type of "Ararat Brandy". The "Aged Brandies" of 10, 15, 18, and 20 years all have their own unique taste and specific dark golden color.

The distinctive aroma and rich bouquet of these Brandies allowed the Yerevan Brandy Company to enjoy considerable success in international exhibitions and tastings. "Ararat Brandy" is popular not only in Armenia, but in many of the former states of the Soviet Union, chief among them Russia (where it's known under the name "Armjanskij Konjak"), Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus. In the Russian-speaking countries of the former Soviet Union the Armenian Brandy is marketed as cognac, even though technically it is not. The term "brandy" has never really caught on and the full name of such beverages is "cognac-style wine" [http://www.kommersant.com/t373890/r_2/n_10/Armenia] .

During the Yalta Conference, Winston Churchill was so impressed with the Armenian brandy Dvin given to him by Joseph Stalin that he asked for several cases of it to be sent to him each year. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3777007.stm BBC: Spirited return for Armenian brandy, 8 June 2004] ] Reportedly 400 bottles of Dvin were shipped to Churchill annually. [http://www.cigarclan.com/articles/2004/1/11 Cigar Clan Magazine, In the Steps of Churchill, Volume I 2004] ] This brandy was named in honour of the ancient capital Dvin, and was first produced in 1943.

Bottlings

*Ararat 3
*Ararat 4
*Ararat 5
*Ani
*Otborny
*Akhtamar
*Jubilee
*Armenia
*Prazdnichny
*Nairi
*Vaspourakan

http://www.ybc.am

References