Rich, full-bodied and complex, XO combines the spicy aromas of oak and leather with the sweeter essences of flowers and ripe fruit. Well-balanced, the initial flourish is dominated by the powerful suggestion of pepper and rancio, which testify to the long years it has spent being aged.

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.

From the oldest house in Cognac, Martell XO is often overlooked for more commercial counterparts. Those in the know realise that with such a great history and cellar-stock to draw upon, this is one of the most complex, well-made Cognacs produced in the great region.

They say that to be Mediterranean is to have a different attitude. Certainly this claim is reflected in Metaxa. When speaking of this unique spirit, we should not merely consider it a brandy, for while it is produced from grapes, its similarities to brandy end there. Metaxa was first created by a silk trader named Spyros Metaxas who in 1882 built a distillation's factory in the city Chyphisia in the Attica region near Athens. A blend of Savatiano, Sultanina and Black Corinth grapes are employed in its production. These are twice distilled to 60% Alc./Vol., then reduced with aged muscat wine from Samos & Lemnos. Further blending continues utilising a mix of botanicals including anise and rose-petals. Then finally, the spirit is married in limousine oak casks. Metaxa is generally available in three versions: Three Star, Five Star, and Seven Star. Each star represents one year spent in oak. The product has earned world recognition for its quality, colour and taste and is distinguished as the most famous Greek spirit worldwide, over and above ouzo. Now in Australia, a selection of Super Premium Metaxa bottlings are available including the much sought after Private Reserve. This limited production spirit consists of fine distillates aged up to thirty years from Metaxa's family casks and is the high point of the Metaxa range. No tasting notes available. 40% Alc./Vol.

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.

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.

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.

A smooth and mellow cognac that is a true cocktail of aromas, at once fresh, rounded and woody.

Rémy Martin is a family story of close to 300 years. Rýmy Martin VSOP is composed of eaux-de-vie coming exclusively from the most sought-after vineyards of Cognac: Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. Such eaux-de-vie offer exceptional ageing potential, and are blended into what is known as Fine Champagne Cognac.