Ararat 5-Year-Old Brandy

[Though this review is for a previous release of Ararat 5-Year-Old Brandy, the process, quality and style described by John Szabo, MS, will be reflected in this bottling.] Armenia was brandy supplier to the Soviet Union under the Commend Economy, but the production of brandy goes back even further to an earlier period of Russian dominance, so production history runs deep in this ancient part of the world. As testament, the Yerevan Brandy Company was established in 1887, the large production facility in the heart of the capital City of Yerevan a city-wide landmark. The Araat 5 Year Old brandy is produced using steam distillation in pot stills, a superior process, with wines produced from local varieties mskhali, garan dmak, rkatsitelli, voskehat and kangun. Ageing takes place in in-house coopered Caucasian oak cask, a genuinely local product. Quality is high, with wood spice neatly integrated into a palate of dried fruits and roasted nuts, while texture is remarkably smooth and mellow, absent any alcoholic burn. As such, it can be enjoyed either neat at room temperature or served over ice for a more refreshing version. Tasted November 2020. Score – 93. (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com)