The well-known brand of the Proshyan Cognac Factory is produced in limited releases, so connoisseurs and lovers of strong drinks are not always able to find “Mane” even in a specialized store. This is a premium class drink made from selected cognac spirits, aged for at least three years in black Karabakh oak, barrels from which are made directly at the enterprise. Cognacs of this brand are characterized by double aging: after creating a blend of mature spirits, the drink is aged for 1,5-2 years in Muscat barrels. The older the Manet, the richer the taste – fruit and chocolate shades predominate in the five-year-old cognac, while the tartness of oak is added to the eight-year-old cognac.
Historical reference. The founder of the then still distillery, Abgar Proshyan, returned to his homeland in 1885 from Germany, where his family lived, and where he received a specialized education. Proshyan built a plant, installed European equipment on it and started growing local varieties of grapes – autochthonous, reflecting the unique terroir (from French terroir, terre – soil, land, environment) of the region.
During the Soviet era, the Proshyan Factory was part of the Ararat trust, which also included the Yerevan Brandy Factory. During this period, numerous studies were carried out, actively changing the formulation of cognac spirits, experimenting. About a hundred professionals worked on the improvement of drinks in a specially created research laboratory.
The “second wind” of the enterprise is associated with the arrival of Armen Gasparyan in 1987 as a general director. He led for about 30 years, and during this time, the Proshyan plant entered the top three among the producers of Armenian cognacs. The company has the latest equipment installed, most of the processes are automated, on a vast area of 35 square meters they grow their own grapes for wines and cognac distillates. And the main achievement – the fame of Proshyan cognacs has long crossed the Armenian borders. Export volumes to Israel, Greece, Russia, the United States and South Korea are constantly growing.
In addition to cognacs (more than ten brands), the plant is famous for its unique fruit wines – from pomegranate, quince, blackberry, cherry, plum, black currant.
Assortment of cognacs “Manet”
“Mane” XO, 40%. A copper-golden drink of the XO class (Extra Old) from spirits over six years old, it smells pleasantly of vanilla muffin, chocolate and dried fruits. Mild taste with hints of coffee, chocolate and light astringency of oak. Long aftertaste with notes of freshly roasted coffee beans. Good as a digestif, can be served with coffee or fruit.
“Manet” VS, 40%. Golden amber cognac class VS (Very Special, or Trois Etoiles, “three-star”), created from spirits aged for at least three years. Light creamy vanilla aroma with barely noticeable notes of chocolate. Rich chocolate-vanilla taste, tinged with astringency of oak. Long warming aftertaste with hints of roasted almonds. Recommended by bartenders as a digestif, goes well with desserts, sometimes used in cocktails.
“Manet” VSOP, 40%. The fragrant red gold-colored drink belongs to the VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) class, in its production alcohols are used with aging in Karabakh oak barrels for at least 4 years. It smells like a mixture of vanilla and chocolate. The rich taste is dominated by shades of dried cherries, prunes, chocolate and honey. Long warm aftertaste with hints of coffee and chocolate. The recommended serving temperature is 20°C. Pairs well with coffee.
