Old Koenigsberg

“Old Koenigsberg” is produced by the wine and cognac factory “Alliance-1892”, located in the Kaliningrad region. The enterprise with an annual turnover of more than 10 billion rubles is one of the three largest cognac producers in Russia. A feature of the brand’s products is that only French cognac distillates supplied by Tessendier & Fils are used for production. In addition to the leading brand “Old Koenigsberg”, the assortment portfolio also includes cognacs “Trofeyny”, “Vek Bourgeoisie”, “Grand Prix Collection”.

Brand history. The beginning of the history of the wine and cognac house was laid in 1997 – from the moment of the creation of a small enterprise in the city of Chernyakhovsk. At first, wine and champagne were produced here, since 2000 the emphasis has been on the production of cognacs. Already by 2009, the cognac brand “Old Koenigsberg” took a leading position in terms of sales, and the company moved from 13th to the first position in the ranking of bottled products manufacturers. In 2010, the construction of a new production and warehouse complex was completed, logistics equipment was purchased, the barrel park was enlarged, and an IT system for managing all processes was launched.

The success of the enterprise is based on the simultaneous use of the most modern equipment and the ancient technology of cognac cold processing. This method has been known since the XNUMXth century and has retained its effectiveness to this day: thanks to it, the drink acquires a richer and more lasting aroma.

Alcohols are made from Ugni Blanc grapes and mature in the cellars of Tessendier & Fils in the city of Cognac. Its head and master of blending Jerome Tessendie takes part in the creation of assemblages. Some brands of cognac are additionally aged for 9 months in the VKZ storage.

The basis of the range of cognacs produced by the brand is made up of 4–10-year-old distillates. The drinks bottled at the factory are endowed with a bouquet of delicate aromas inherent in French cognacs, roundness and velvety taste, and a long-lasting aftertaste. The main attention is paid to the quality of products, which the specialists of the plant brought to the European level.

Awards

International professional competition of wines and spirits:

• 2005 – Silver medal (KV “Old Koenigsberg”);
• 2010 – Gold medal (KV “Century of the Bourgeoisie. Premium”);
• 2011 – Gold medal (“Century of the bourgeoisie” 8 years);
• 2012 – Gold medal (“Old Koenigsberg” 5 years);
• 2013 – Gold medal (KVVK “Century of the bourgeoisie. Premium”);
• 2014 – Gold medal (KV “Old Koenigsberg”);
• 2015 – Gold medal (KVVK “Century of the bourgeoisie. Premium”);
• 2016 – victory in the nomination “Best Brand of the Year”.

Tasting competition at the international exhibition “Prodexpo”, Moscow:

• 2009 – 2 gold medals (KV “Old Koenigsberg”, “Old Koenigsberg” 5 years), a gold medal and the title of “Best Product” (“Century of the Bourgeoisie. Premium” 5 years);
• 2012 – Gold (“Century of the Bourgeoisie. Premium” 5 years) and 2 silver (KV “Old Koenigsberg”, “Old Koenigsberg” four-year) medals;
• 2013 – Gold (“Old Koenigsberg” 5 years) and 2 silver (“Century of the Bourgeoisie. Premium” 5 years, “Old Koenigsberg KV SE”) medals;
• 2014 – Gold (“Century of the Bourgeoisie. Premium” 5 years) and silver (“Old Koenigsberg” 5 years) medals;
• 2015 – Gold (KV “Old Koenigsberg”) and silver (“Grand Prix” 5 years) medals;
• 2016 – Gold (“Old Koenigsberg” 5 years) and silver (KV “Century of the Bourgeoisie. Premium”) medals;
• 2017 – Gold (“Old Koenigsberg” four-year) medal.

How to distinguish a fake

The problem of falsification has not bypassed the popular VKZ products. The manufacturer has developed recommendations that will help you avoid buying counterfeit goods. The original cognac “Old Koenigsberg” must have characteristic distinguishing features:

• the label is made by the method of complicated printing, glued neatly, there are no traces of glue on it;
• on the back of the bottle there is an embossed brand logo;
• the bottom is decorated with a convex inscription: “Alliance 1892”;
• the black-and-gold cork and the collar also feature company logos.

Interesting Facts

Alliance-1892 takes an active part in various social programs in the region. Thanks to her support, a church building in honor of Saints Peter and Fevronia was erected in the village of Svoboda.

The Alliance-1892 plant was named one of the sights of the Kaliningrad region: it, along with the Cathedral, Curonian Spit, medieval castles, was included in the list of places recommended for tourists to visit. Cognac “Old Koenigsberg” is recognized as as popular among travelers as products made from Baltic amber.

At the end of 2016, the Alliance-1892 company joined forces with the Abrau-Dyurso wine house to create the largest trading house on the Russian alcohol market. The new structure was called “2A”, its mission is to increase sales and expand the presence of brands in the regions.

Types of cognac

Old Koenigsberg 4-year-old, 40%

The flagship cognac of the brand, which is in the greatest demand and has been awarded numerous awards at international competitions. Produced from French cognac spirits, does not contain artificial flavors and dyes. Characterized by a floral aroma with light vanilla and sandalwood tones. Velvety taste reveals hints of dried fruits and almonds, notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon, pink pepper are gradually woven into the bouquet. The drink is bottled in attractively designed bottles with a high degree of protection against counterfeiting.

Old Koenigsberg 5-year-old, 40%

A product in demand by the market, made from French cognac distillates aged for at least five years. The bouquet contains delicate floral-vanilla aromas, complemented by notes of Lebanese cedar wood and oak. As the taste develops, hints of quince, pear and hazelnuts appear. In the finish, the harmony of dried fruits and milk chocolate is felt. The bottle is decorated with a figured label with a recognizable image of an old bridge.

Old Koenigsberg KV 6 years, 40%

Aged cognac, the excellent quality of which is marked by gold medals of tasting competitions and exhibitions. The peculiarity of the production of the drink is that the blend is created under the guidance of French masters, then a 9-month post-blend rest is provided in the warehouse of the Alliance-1892 plant. The bouquet is balanced with floral and fruit themes, the taste contains hints of chocolate, golden raisins and hazelnuts. The character of the drink is also reflected in its presentation – it is bottled in Napoleon-type bottles with a spectacular label stylized as artificially aged leather.

Trophy 5 years, 42%

Cognac is positioned by the manufacturer as a drink with a real masculine character. Distinctive features are strength and aging, chocolate-vanilla tones. Taste-aromatic range is built on a combination of shades of sweet fruit and oak astringency. It is poured only into flasks, which corresponds to the military-patriotic name of the product. The label with the image of an eagle and a star is applied to the bottle in such a way that it covers the front and back sides, as well as one rib.

Century of the Bourgeoisie XO, 40%

Cognac is assembled under the guidance of master blender Jerome Tessendie from French spirits not younger than 8 years old. It has a soft and light bouquet: it smells of narcissus, jasmine, white apricot, linden honey. The taste continues and develops the range of aromas, against the backdrop of a floral-fruity theme, shades of creamy chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon appear. Medium length aftertaste based on tones of dried apricots, oak wood and cigar leaf. Awarded a gold medal at the International Professional Competition of Wines and Spirits.

Grand Prix 5 year old, 40%

Cognac, relatively recently replenished the line of the plant “Alliance-1892”. Produced according to the classical technology on the basis of French cognac distillates. The blend was chosen in such a way as to emphasize the aroma of grapes, its natural sweetness and astringency, and at the same time enrich the bouquet with more brutal shades of oak wood, aged leather, and a cigar humidor. Honey and spicy tones are clearly audible in the taste, after warming up the snifter, notes of cedar and licorice appear. The drink will be an excellent digestif, can be used as a base for cocktails.