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.

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.

With an average age of around 15 years and made from the finest terroirs in Cognac; Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, predominantly distilled in 1990, the Selections unique character comes from long ageing in oak barrels, which adds incomparable fullness and sweetness. Aromas of pears, apples, molasses, creme brulee, and vanilla. The palate is supple, plump, and grapey with a mouth coating texture, dried fruits and a slightly sweeter and lingering finish that is satin smooth.

An exceptional blend of reserve stocks of Grande Champagne Cognac, distilled in the mid 1970s and matured in old casks. On the nose there are delicate fragrances of spice, sesame seed, oak, baked pears and brown sugar. The palate is deep and viscous with moderately sweet notes of ripe pear, almond, oloroso sherry, orange peel, and leatherwood honey. The finish has hints of brown sugar with notes of vanilla and salt and has great persistence.

The original jewel of the Tesseron collection of Cognacs; a unique blend of legendary Grande Champagne Cognacs, including many of the finest of their oldest and rarest stocks distilled in 1920s, with 5% of the blend from 1905, and lovingly aged for three generations. Remarkably pure and refined with floral, spices and green chartreuse hints. The palate is impeccably fine and balanced with a souring finish, seemingly free of spirit.

A blend of Tesserons sublime stocks of Grande Champagne Cognac distilled in the 1950s. Incredibly complex, powerful, round and long and includes some Colobard adding both richness and texture. Layer after layer of rich intensity with nuts, mixed peel, raisins, dark chocolate, charcoal and wild honey notes. For all of its mouth coating richness and intensity, there is a pillowy texture and perfect spirit integration.

100% Grande Champagne. Distilled with the lees, it ages in new Limousin Oak casks with a medium interior toast for 1 year. The ageing process continues in old barrels or hogsheads in a damp cellar. A progressive reduction is made, with distilled water (max 5% of diminution every 3 months). A blend of of least 2 1/2 year old Cognac.

King of Cognacs. Each handcrafted decanter contains a unique blend of 1,200 of the house of Remy Martin's rarest and oldest eaux-de-vie. The sheer luxury and intense flavours, nurtured by four generations of cellar masters, linger on the palate for over an hour. A suggestion of ultimate extravagance.