Prosper Delord was a travelling distiller who upon discovering Armagnac fell in love with the spirit and decided to start Maison Delord in 1893. Today Jerome and Sylvain Delord, Propers great grandchildren continue the tradition with the same passion, knowledge and love that has been handed down through the generations.

Prosper Delord was a travelling distiller who upon discovering Armagnac fell in love with the spirit and decided to start Maison Delord in 1893. Today Jerome and Sylvain Delord, Propers great grandchildren continue the tradition with the same passion, knowledge and love that has been handed down through the generations.

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.

In 1918, a young Japanese man with an ambition to make genuine whisky went alone to Scotland to unveil the secret of whisky making. He is Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky. He enrolled at the University of Glasgow, took chemistry courses and then apprenticed at three Scotch distilleries. In 1920 Masataka returned to Japan with his Scottish wife Jessie Roberta (Rita). The two had married earlier that year and Rita decided to immigrate to Japan to support her husband’s dream. However after returning to Japan, Masataka and Rita were heartbroken to find out that Settsu Shuzo, the company which invested in Masataka to learn in Scotland, had to abandon its plan to produce genuine whisky in Japan due to recessions after World War I. In the meantime another company, Kotobukiya Limited (Suntory), was in search for someone who could conduct whisky production. Being the only Japanese who knew how to produce whisky at that time, Masataka was hired by Kotobukiya in 1923 to direct building the Yamazaki Distillery. There he led the project and devoted himself to producing Japan’s first genuine whisky. These limited edition 2 bottle set of the Yoichi and Miyagiko has been finished in Nikka’s apple brandy casks and bottled in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Masataka and Rita’s marriage in 1920. At the foundation in 1934, apple products helped Nikka to keep the business sustainable while the first whiskies were maturing, just like Rita supported Masataka’s dream. Both of these whiskies have the delicate aroma of apples, with the expression showcasing a beautiful harmony of finesse and sweetness brought by apple brandy casks. The Yoichi single malt’s original characteristics appear such as rich malt flavors, gentle peaty notes and smokiness and the Miyagikyo single malt’s has its original characteristics such as distinctive hints of Sherry and spiciness like cinnamon.

Since 1765, Maison Hennessy has perfected the art of cognac-making, a tradition perpetuated by eight generations of Master Blenders. A legacy of cultural openness lets Maison Hennessy shine around the world, wherever its celebrated cognacs are shared. In 1817, James Hennessy created a unique blend for the future King George IV of England. From the encounter of these two visionaries, was born the first Hennessy “Very Superior Old Pale,” know today as Hennessy V.S.O.P. The savoir-faire of the Maison Hennessy is fully expressed in this balanced cognac: the selection of eaux-de-vie, aging and assemblage. A cognac of remarkable consistency and vitality, Hennessy V.S.O.P conveys all of the savoir-faire of the Hennessy master blenders who have ensured the continued success of this harmonious assemblage for 200 years. The key to a perfect bottle of VSOP starts at the roots. A tradition of careful aging in hand-crafted French oak barrels develops an eaux-de-vie’s unique expression. From ugni blanc grapes to V.S.O.P, the beauty of this blend is in the selection. It’s through the process of blending that eaux-de-vie becomes V.S.O.P. This Cognac has flavours and aromas of French oak, vanilla, cinnamon, candied fruit, and clove.

The House of Rémy Martin is renowned for its exceptional cognacs and a legacy that spans centuries. Founded in 1724 in the heart of Cognac, France, this esteemed Maison has become synonymous with luxury, craftsmanship and a commitment to producing the finest cognacs in the world. From the very beginning, the House of Rémy Martin has been dedicated to the art of distillation and blending. Every step of the production process is meticulously executed, from the selection of grapes to the aging in oak barrels. The result is a collection of cognacs that embody the essence of French savoir-faire and terroir. One of the distinguishing features of Rémy Martin is its commitment to using only the finest grapes from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne crus. These exceptional vineyards, known for their chalky soil and unique microclimates, produce grapes with unparalleled character and aromatic potential. The expertise of the cellar masters at Rémy Martin is unrivalled. These guardians of tradition and craftsmanship possess a deep understanding of the aging process and the art of blending. They carefully select and blend eaux-de-vie from different vintages, resulting in cognacs that strike the perfect balance between complexity, finesse and harmony. The House of Rémy Martin is also known for its iconic Centaur logo, which symbolizes the unity of man and nature. This emblem represents the harmonious relationship between the land, the vine and the people who dedicate themselves to the creation of extraordinary cognacs. Rémy Martin offers a range of exceptional cognacs, each with its own distinct personality and character. From the renowned Rémy Martin VSOP to the prestigious Rémy Martin XO and the exquisite Rémy Martin Louis XIII, every bottle is a testament to the House's unwavering pursuit of excellence. In 2024, the house of Rémy Martin will be marking 300 years of exceptional cognac-making. Led by visionaries since 1724, the House will connect past, present and future with a year of special activations and products around the theme, ‘We Dream Forward’. For three centuries the House has combined craft and innovation, passing it forward to build sustainable exception for the future. To celebrate the holidays, the darkness of VSOP’s frosted bottle is amplified with an anniversary neck collar and gold and chalk white gift box embossed with the javelin motif. As the first VSOP Cognac ever created, this is an elegant expression of the Maison’s savoir-faire. The Remy Martin VSOP Majestic Momentum 300th Anniversary Edition Cognac is a celebration of the House's rich heritage and craftsmanship. The Remy Martin VSOP Majestic Momentum 300th Anniversary Edition Cognac showcases a warm and mysterious ochre hue in the bottle, transforming into a vibrant gold when poured into the glass. This cognac offers an aromatic harmony of powerful elegance. The nose is greeted with captivating notes of vanilla, dried apricot and candied pear, creating a delightful olfactory experience. On the palate, the cognac presents a balanced and complex flavour profile. A symphony of aromatic dried fruits intertwines with delicate hints of liquorice, offering an intricate and captivating flavour journey. The body of this cognac is structured and layered, reflecting the expertise of the House of Rémy Martin. It delivers a rounded harmony of dried fruits, providing a satisfying mouthfeel and a silky texture that gracefully coats the palate. The Remy Martin VSOP Majestic Momentum 300th Anniversary Edition Cognac is a remarkable tribute to the House's rich heritage and commitment to craftsmanship. With its alluring aroma, complex flavors and luxurious mouthfeel, this cognac embodies the essence of Rémy Martin's 300-year legacy.

Putting a twist on an old favorite, the legendary cognac Martell Cordon Bleu is an international emblem of excellence. While the standard Cordon Bleu is of an XO quality, this new model is an Extra Cognac, making it significantly older: the youngest blend of eaux-de-vie that went into this release is 30 years and the oldest close to 60 years. Ideal for special occasions, the taste of this French cognac is an explosion of spicy fruit notes and elegant richness.

In ancient times, the land around I-Lan in Taiwan was called Kavalan, a mysterious land that was solely inhabited by the indigenous people of the Kavalan clan. The name was officially recognized by the Emperor of the Chin dynasty in the year of 1809 when the original city was also built under the same name. Part of the Kavalan Solist series, matured in superior-quality brandy casks individually and meticulously selected to create uniquely fruity characteristics. This cask strength single cask malt whisky is non chill-filtered with natural colour to retain the fullest flavours.