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Artsakh is Armenian mulberry vodka (more correctly called mulberry brandy or moonshine). The drink appeared several hundred years ago in the region of the same name, after which it received its name. Today, the term “artsakh” unites many variations of strong alcohol, since raw materials, taste, strength and other characteristics are not regulated at the legislative level and largely depend on the manufacturer. This alcohol is often made in a handicraft way on primitive moonshine stills.
Features of the region
The Artsakh region is located in the north-eastern part of Armenia, it is a wooded and hilly area, the relief is mountainous. The climate is temperate, without severe frosts in winter and extreme heat in summer. The region has long been the subject of geopolitical disputes – Artsakh is considered a self-proclaimed republic (another name is Nagorno-Karabakh), not recognized by the world community. However, for connoisseurs of alcohol, it is important that many mulberry trees grow here, providing raw materials for the production of silk – and the famous brandy.
Characteristics of alcohol
The strength of Armenian vodka varies from 40 to 75%, but it is easy to drink: a rich bouquet smooths out high degrees, a properly made drink does not burn the throat and does not give off alcohol. The taste is felt tones of mulberry, tree bark, meadow herbs.
Due to its high strength and completely natural ingredients, Artsakh has good anti-inflammatory properties, improves digestion, strengthens the immune system and increases vitality.
Technology of preparation
The Artsakh drink is made on the basis of mulberries – mostly white, but red and purple are also suitable. Mulberry juice is fermented without sugar with wild yeast, then distilled twice in copper cubes and left to “ripen” in wooden barrels for 1-5 years. Before bottling ready-made Artsakh, it is diluted with water to the desired strength, aged for several more months, filtered and finally bottled. Some manufacturers add honey, spices, vanilla and other fragrances to the composition.
Views of Artsakh
In addition to the classic “mulberry”, there is an artsakh based on grapes (mainly Rkatsiteli variety is used), apricots, plums, pears, peaches or dogwood. In fact, in Armenia, any brandy can be called Artsakh, but most often it is a distillate made from mulberries.
The material of the aging barrel corresponds to the raw material for the drink. For example, “mulberry” will ripen in containers made of mulberry, “apricot” – from apricot.
Famous brands
Founded in 1998 in the village of Askeran, Artsakh Alco produces vodka from various fruits and berries, but the mulberry variation is especially popular. The Silver brand is made from white mulberry and aged for a year, the Golden one is aged in barrels for three years or more, and the Platinum one is aged for five years.
Other manufacturers: Abrikon, Country of Stones, Astafyan VKZ, etc.
In addition, this is just the case when handicraft products can be no worse than factory ones. While traveling in Armenia, it makes sense to treat yourself to homemade Artsakh.
How to drink Artsakh
Mulberry moonshine is drunk both before meals and after a hearty dinner. They eat fruits, fresh vegetables, white meat dishes, fish, sweets. It is not necessary to cool the drink, the normal serving temperature is about 22 ° C. Like any strong alcohol, Artsakh is drunk from small shots of 50 ml.