Ararat Brandy Company is located on a hill above the small Hrazdan River in the western part of the Old Town of Yerevan. The monumental building of the Brandy Company attracts attention and can be called a landmark of the city. There is an Ararat Museum at the Company, and Armenian brandy tastings are also held.
In the museum of the Ararat Brandy Company, you can get acquainted with the history of brandy production in Armenia. It is closely intertwined with the history of Armenia. For centuries, the regions of the Russian Empire have specialized in the manufacture of various alcoholic beverages. Vodka was made in Russia, wine was made in Georgia, and brandy was made in Armenia.
The Armenian Brandy Company was founded in 1887 by merchant and winemaker Nerses Tairyan. In 1898, the plant was bought by Nikolai Shustov, one of the most famous Russian winemakers. Under him, the Brandy Company reached its heyday. At the Paris World Exhibition of 1900, Armenian brandy Finshampan received a gold medal for first place.
In Soviet times, the Shustov Company was nationalized, and the Yerevan Brandy Company was founded. The huge building over the Hrazdan River was built in 1953 in the traditional Armenian architectural style. In 1998, the Ararat brandy Company was bought by the French group Pernod Ricard.
During the tour of the Ararat Company Museum, you will see the specifics of the aging of brandy spirits. They are aged in oak barrels. Inexpensive brandy varieties are aged in new barrels. Expensive cognac varieties are aged in used barrels. Here you can see the personal barrels that are laid during the visits of foreign heads of state.
