Yerevan Brandy Company

Foundation and early years

Brandy production in Armenia began in 1887, when merchant of the first guild Nerses Tairyan (Nerses Tairov) established a distillery in Yerevan. He was influenced by his brother Vasily Tairov, editor and founder of the wine industry journal Vestnik vinodeliya. Tairov brothers advanced production methods and adapted them to Armenia’s climatic and geographic conditions.[2].

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the enterprise became part of the Shustov and Sons partnership.[3].

In 1900, engineer and master blender Mkrtich Musinyants joined the distillery along with distiller Kirill Silchenko.[4] Musinyants developed Fine-Champagne Otborny,[5] one of the earliest blends of Armenian brandies. The product received recognition at the 1902 Bordeaux Exhibition, where it was acknowledged as meeting cognac production standards.[6]

The company's products were also presented at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris.

Soviet period

During the 1920s, Armenian distilleries were nationalized.[7] In the Soviet era, the enterprise became part of a centralized wine and brandy trust overseeing production throughout Armenia.[8]

In the 1930s, master blender Markar Sedrakyan joined the company and created his first vintage brandy, Jubilee.[9]

Between the 1940s and 1950s, production expanded. A new factory building overlooking the Hrazdan River was constructed and completed in 1953, based on a design by architect Hovhannes Margaryan.[4]

In the 1940s, the brandy ARARAT Dvin was created. According to a legend, it was highly appreciated by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.[10]

In 1953, construction of the new facility was completed, and the company relocated there, marking the beginning of its independent history.[11]

During this period, several blends that are still produced today were created, including Prazdnichny, Akhtamar, Nairi, and Ani.[12]

ARARAT Yerevan was named in honor of Armenia's capital.[13]

Post-Soviet period and modern history

After Armenia regained independence in 1991, the industry underwent restructuring and modernization.[4]

In 1998, the Yerevan Brandy Company became part of the international group Pernod Ricard.[14]

In 1999, a national standard regulating the production of Armenian brandy was introduced, requiring production within Armenia using locally grown grapes.[15]

In 2001, a "Peace Barrel" was set for aging within the heritage center of the factory, in honor of the visit of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. The barrel will be opened only when the Karabakh conflict is resolved.[16]

In 2010, the ARARAT brand adopted a new logo featuring a phoenix.[17]

In 2011, the historic ARARAT Dvin brandy was reintroduced.

The Yerevan Brandy Company is one of Armenia’s largest taxpayers.[18] and a leading purchaser of grapes in the country[19]

Recent developments

In the 2020s, the company expanded its portfolio to include brandy-based flavored spirits such as ARARAT with the taste of Apricot, Cherry, Coffee, and Honey.[12]

The ARARAT Charles Aznavour Signature Blend was released in collaboration with French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour, who was personally involved in the creation of the blend.[20]

The ultra-premium ARARAT Erebuni series includes blends aged 30, 50, and 70 years.[21]