Autochthonous grape varieties – “voskehat”, “chilar”, “kangun”, “mskhali”, formed the basis of the velvety taste of the classic Armenian drink. And the original bottle, hand-blown by local craftsmen, makes it easy to remember the brand created in 2008.
About the manufacturer. A native of an ancient princely family, Abgar Prshyan returned to Russia from Germany in 1889, having received a bachelor’s degree in winemaking. At first, he was engaged in commerce – the introduction of European equipment in the production of wines and cognacs. But then he decided to establish his own distillery and left for his homeland – in the Ararat valley. It was there that he organized the production of a full cycle – with his own vineyards, distillation shops, cellars in which spirits matured and fine wines were stored. Before the revolutionary upheaval in 1917, the enterprise was small, family-owned.
In 1918, production was suspended, nationalized, and in 1925, the Ararat trust was created on its basis. Until 1987, the Proshyansky plant only harvested wine materials and produced distillates.
Blending and bottling took place at another enterprise of the trust – the Yerevan Brandy Factory. But in 1987, the management of the plant changed, reconstruction began, and the small enterprise became a modern production complex with equipment for all stages of the production of alcoholic beverages. Grape areas belonging to the Proshyan brandy factory occupy 34 thousand square meters at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level.
The range of products has also expanded: vodka, liqueurs and fruit wines appeared in it – pomegranate, blackberry, cherry. But the main product is cognac made from selected varieties of Ararat grapes. It is created from spirits aged from three to forty years. After the privatization of the enterprise in 2002, the management of the plant began to promote products not only in the domestic, but also in the foreign market. We signed contracts for the supply of drinks to the United States, Greece, Germany, Israel. And in 2008 they opened an office in Moscow. The case of the company’s brands consists of two dozen cognacs of both budget and premium levels. Among the cognacs that have become popular outside of Armenia are Mane, Armenui, Khent, Tsar PAP.
The enoteca is a special pride of the company – a storage of collection wines, where there are 10 bottles of wine and 5 of cognac on racks in a horizontal position. Here you can find wines that are more than 80 and 90 years old. Enoteca is not only a kind of exhibition of achievements, but also an experimental laboratory – experts monitor the aging process of wine and select the optimal aging time.
Types of cognac “Armenian fortress”
“Armenian fortress”, 5 years (40%). A golden-amber drink with an intense fruity aroma and a mild taste, in which hints of dried cherries and prunes are noticeable. Warm almond aftertaste. Bartenders recommend brandy as a digestif, willingly use it in cocktails such as Florida and Caribbean Martini. Restaurateurs, taking into account the Armenian traditions of serving brandy for dinner, recommend the “Armenian Fortress” for cold meat appetizers, hot and spicy dishes, red fish and meat cooked over an open fire – barbecue, steak.
“Armenian fortress”, 8 years (40%). A deep tea-colored drink with golden reflections. Slightly tangy fruity vanilla aroma. Harmonious taste with hints of vanilla, dried fruits, prunes and almond aftertaste of medium duration. Served with coffee and fruit as a digestif. It is combined with meat and fish dishes of Caucasian, Russian and European cuisine.
