At the Yalta conference at the end of the Second World War, Winston Churchill was so impressed with an Armenian brandy given to him by Stalin, that he asked for 400 bottles of it to be sent to him each year. Churchill was not the only one to enthuse about this jewel of the Caucasus. Agatha Christie and Frank Sinatra were also fans. It impressed the French so much during a blind tasting, they bestowed it with the Gran-prix award at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900, and even permitted the company to call the product “Cognac” instead of brandy - a designation that's otherwise jealously guarded. The accolade was all the more significant when one considers that Brandy production in Armenia covers a fraction of Cognac's history. It began in 1887, when the Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC) was founded by a merchant, Nerses Tairyan, with the help of his cousin Vasily Tayrov. They began distilling using classical French equipment at a winery they'd founded earlier inside the former fortress of Yerevan. In 1899, a Russian company, “N.L. Shustov and Sons”, a well-known vodka and liqueur producer purchased YBC.Their brandy soon became the preferred beverage at the Russian Imperial Court. Since then, just like the legendary Mount Ararat, the local specialty has become a symbol of national pride. Indeed, in a country with few natural resources and less than three million people with a per capita incomes around $600 a year, any success seems magnified. After the Soviet system was established in Armenia, the YBC was nationalised and entered a new stage of development. Production expanded considerably. More recently, in 1999, the company became a part of the French drinks conglomerate, Pernod Ricard. It was a move that wasn't at first welcomed by the locals, but when they realised Pernod were in for the long haul, attitudes soon became more accepting. Foreign investment has been scarce in the country. Pernod Ricard's rare success has been cause to celebrate. Armenian brandy remains a product made from Armenian varietals following a regulated production method. Only local grape varieties are used based on the unique microclimate of the Ararat Valley. These include special endemic varietals that are no longer planted outside of Armenia (survivors of the phylloxera epidemics). In all, there are about 13 such varieties, with the main ones being Voskehat, Garan Dmak and Kangun. Once harvested, the grapes are loaded in special horizontal screw presses where berries are pressed in a very gentle way to avoid causing damage to seeds. Different varieties do not get mixed. Double steam distillation preserves the flavour and aroma of the grapes, while the ageing of the brandies is done exclusively in oak barrels. In 2002 the factory rebuilt its own cooperage. The local Armenian oak species which is used has a rather tight grain and is virtually devoid of pores. The trees are at least 70 years old when they're harvested, and only the middle part of the tree is used. The oak imparts its natural flavours and aromas of dried fruits, spices, vanilla and chocolate. Filtered spring water from the Katnakhpiur source is used during blending. Just prior to bottling the brandy is chilled and then filtered twice. YBC possesses approximately 90% of the total reserve of genuine brandy in Armenia. Several YBC brands are inaccessible to the retail network and can only be obtained at factory's shop: "Erebuni" - 25 years, "Kilikia" - 30 years, "Sparapet" - 40 years and "Noah's Ark" - 70 years of ageing in wooden casks. We're pleased to announce the arrival of these world class brandies into Australia. The 20 Year Old is labelled after the legendary Nairi people who inhabited the Kingdom of Urartu that stretched along the shores of Lake Van. The “Country of Rivers”, a rival of the Assyrian Empire, consisted of 23 affluent regions. One of the most powerful ones was the “Land of Nairi”, the forerunner of today’s Armenia, renowned for its impregnable capital Tushpa. To ensure adequate supplies of fresh water the city had a 70-kilometer long canal, which allowed it to withstand many long sieges. Tasting note: Copper colour with pale gold hue. The nose is quite elegant and at first reminiscent of a good Cognac, yielding aromas of dried fruits, spice and vanillan oak. Very warming palate entry, with a full, ripe body. Gently prickling spirit, with spicy plum pudding / raisin flavours, taking an unexpected turn from the nose. Excellent balance. Persistent aftertaste of dried fruits and vanilla oak. This could easily be mistaken for XO Australian brandy. Different, certainly, but a spirit that would make for an exotic alternative to XO Cognac. 41.5% Alc./Vol.

Floral notes of spring Jasmine, medlar flowers combine with notes of ripe fig, prunes, candied orange and creme brulée, as well as spicier notes of warm brioche and toasted oak. Mellow, generous, refined and elegant on the palate, with a rich, very long finish.De Luze XO Fine Champagne is superb on ice.

St Agnes XO Is a silky smooth masterpiece that is a true credit to its makers. Nutty and complex the taste will linger on the palate for longer than you thought possible. Australia's answer to the finest Brandies from around the world.

Meukow has been established in Cognac for over 150 years and has built a strong reputation as masters in distillation, ageing and blending of brandies. Presented in its remarkable black panther bottle, Meukow VS Cognac is both elegant and powerful.

XO Gold is a superior blend of eaux-de-vie taken from unique stocks of matured cognacs, each with a minimum 10 of years in French oak casks. Enticing floral, spicy and light fresh notes, play hand in hand with rich and complex flavours that last several minutes with great balance on the palate. Cognac Croizet was also used as the main base for Guinness World Record, Winston Cocktail sold for $12,500 in Crown Melbourne in 2013.

Richard Hennessy Cognac is an exceptional Cognac that pays tribute to the founder of the House of Hennessy. Drawing on some two hundred years of knowledge, talent, expertise and passion, this blend is a unique

In 1865, inspired by a decorative handle of his offi ce window, Maurice Hennessy created the now-famous star symbol that he would use to classify his Cognacs. Thus was born the 3- Star Cognac, better known today as Hennessy VS which is a complex blend of more than forty eaux-de-vie (brandy parcels) from the four premier growing areas of the Cognac region.

This vintage Cognac comes from a family of public notaries who has been located close to the city of Cognac for many generations. This Petite Champagne was part of the inheritance of the father, who had bequeathed his stocks of Cognac to his wife and his son, who was public notary like him. The father has bought this batch on January 1974 to one of his clients, who was at the time the President of one of the most important Cognac Houses. Unfortunately, when the father passed away, his wife and his son were in disagreement and the succession was blocked until we propose a solution. This is a very “sentimental” cognac, stored under State control since the 25th of January 1974, in a very humid cellar located on the bank of the Charente river in the city center of Cognac. This cellar is today the Cognac Museum. The harvest 1973 was abundant ( 62% compared to the harvest 1972 in Petite Champagne!) and was qualified of “harvest of the century” at the time. Warm gold colour, with amber lights. The nose is rich and unctuous; ripe fruits, dark-red plums, Mirabelle plums, spices (curcuma, cardamom, pepper) and sandalwood, cedar scents. Surrounding the fruits, the lovely old rancio nose that well-matured Cognac develops. The taste increase the fruity delicacies (plums again, dark chocolate with cinnamon) and the spicy side (tobacco, nutmeg). At the end, slightly bitter as coffee beans, complexity and elegancy of a controlled rancio.

An amber-yellow colour with a lively bouquet which is both mature and expressively floral (with fresh notes which are almost minty). A very supple attack, with a pleasurable intensity conveyed by woody spices and illuminated by hints of fresh mint. The robust yet delicate frame of woody and fruity flavours is enhanced by vanilla, liquorice and macerated fruit overtones.