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A tour of the Yerevan ARARAT Brandy Factory is one of the most popular experiences among visitors to Armenia’s capital. And it’s easy to see why. For more than a century, Armenian brandy has become one of the country’s most recognizable symbols, alongside Mount Ararat, Lake Sevan, and Armenia’s rich cultural heritage. Anyone who appreciates fine spirits will enjoy discovering the history of the factory and learning about the fascinating process of producing this world-famous drink.
The factory was founded in 1887 by Nerses Tairyan (Nikolay Tairov) on the grounds of the historic Yerevan Fortress. However, it gained international recognition after being acquired in 1899 by Nikolay Shustov, one of the largest spirits producers in the Russian Empire, who purchased the distillery from Tairyan and transformed it into a globally renowned brand.
Alongside Tairyan and Shustov, another legendary figure played a crucial role in the history of ARARAT brandy—Markar Sedrakyan. As the master blender, he devoted his life to creating new blends and perfecting existing ones. The entire classic collection of the Yerevan Brandy Factory is the result of his remarkable craftsmanship and decades of dedication.
ARARAT 3 Stars, ARARAT 5 Stars, Ani, Akhtamar, Vaspurakan, Dvin, and Nairi are all iconic brandies created using Sedrakyan’s masterful blending techniques.
Authentic Armenian brandy is produced exclusively from indigenous Armenian grape varieties, including Voskehat, Mskhali, Chilar, Kangun, and Garandmak. It is then aged in barrels made from Armenian oak, which gives the spirit its distinctive character, rich aroma, and exceptional smoothness.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the original distillery was divided into two independent producers: the Yerevan ARARAT Brandy Factory and the NOY Brandy Factory, whose brandies have also become highly popular, particularly in Russia and other CIS countries.
Today, the ARARAT Brandy Factory is owned by the French company Pernod Ricard, which continues to invest in production, innovation, and the development of new blends. One of the most notable creations is the brandy dedicated to the legendary French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour, who personally participated in selecting the brandies used to create the blend that proudly bears his name.
In recent years, the factory has also introduced an exciting collection of flavored brandies, which have quickly gained popularity among enthusiasts. These include Apricot, Cherry, Coffee, and Honey expressions.
For true connoisseurs, the distillery also offers a premium collection of exceptionally aged brandies matured for 30, 50, and even 70 years.
The guided tour begins with an introduction to the fascinating history of the factory and the traditions of Armenian brandy making. Visitors are then taken through the production facilities, where they learn about every stage of the distillation and aging process. The experience concludes in an elegant tasting hall, where guests sample several different brandies, compare their flavors and aromas, and choose their favorite. The selected brandy can be purchased at the museum shop and taken home as a memorable souvenir of your journey to Armenia.
The factory offers several tasting programs, including the Standard Package, Extended Package, ARARAT Flavors, and ARARAT 10.
You can visit the Yerevan ARARAT Brandy Factory with a guided tour and tasting either as part of our Yerevan City Tour or as a separate excursion.
A visit to the Yerevan ARARAT Brandy Factory is one of the highlights of any trip to Armenia and is sure to leave you with unforgettable impressions. If you’re planning a journey to Armenia, be sure to include this experience in your itinerary.
Contact us, and we’ll be happy to reserve your tour and tasting for you.