A classic three year old Brandy from Ararat. Ararat is considered Armenia's national spirit and is made with local grapes.
The grapes for this brandy are grown in the Ararat Valley's microclimate, and includes special strains that are not found outside of Armenia (survivors of the phylloxera blight). 13 grape varieties are used in total, but Kangun, Garan Dmak and Voskehat are the grapes doing most of the heavy lifting, flavour-wise. Following the harvest, the grapes are pressed in unusual horizontal screw machines, which gently extract the juice without damaging the seeds. Each grape strain is pressed individually.
The brandy is double distilled for purity, and aged strictly in oak barrels. Ararat maintains its own cooperage onsite, and uses local Armenian oak species – known for its particularly tight grain. Each tree is allowed to reach a mature age of 70 years before being harvested.
This dram serves up notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, oak, white grapes, sultanas, flowers, and peppery spice.
An excellent alternative to VSOP Cognacs or other brandies, this is delicious served neat or mixed.
