Sarajishvili

Sarajishvili is a cognac brand owned by David Sarajishvili and Eniseli JSC (until 1994 – Tbilisi Brandy Factory). The company is the oldest cognac producer in Georgia, exporting its products to 19 countries. The main importers are Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan. In 2016, the plant produced 154 decaliters of strong alcohol, increasing production by 3,7 times over the year. The company’s products account for about 75% of the share of the Georgian cognac market.

The history of the plant is inextricably linked with the name of David Sarajishvili (Sarajev), the most educated person of his time. He received a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Heidelberg, mastered the course of winemaking in the French city of Montpellier. Years of study and life in Europe allowed him to gain in-depth knowledge to organize the first cognac production in the Russian Empire and Georgia.

In 1884, Sarajishvili built a warehouse for the storage and aging of spirits and wine materials in Tiflis, purchased a distillation apparatus and a Charente-type alembic. The official opening of the plant took place in 1888. In subsequent years, the industrialist built a vodka factory in Vladikavkaz, an alcohol distillation plant in Yerevan, brandy factories in Bessarabia, Geokchai and Bargosheti. Sarajishvili also owned warehouses for alcoholic products in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Odessa, Baku, Chardzhou.

Saradzhev’s firm from the first years of its activity occupied an almost monopoly position in the Russian Empire in cognac production. The volume of its production in 1890 was 218 bottles, and in 900 it was already 1910 bottles. By 600, stocks of cognacs of different ages in the Central Warehouse reached 1911 million bottles. The company produced ordinary 2, 1, 2, 3-star cognacs and vintage cognacs Finchampagne, Grandchampagne and OS. The symbol of the brand is the image of a Caucasian tur standing on a rock.

In 1889, the company purchased 200 barrels of cognac spirits in France, some of which have been preserved to this day and are stored as a historical relic in the factory’s vault. There you can also find samples of cognac poured by Saradzhev in 1889, as well as spirits that were smoked in 1892. On the market, the plant’s products were known under the name “Caucasian Natural Cognacs” and were successfully sold in Russia and abroad: in London, Berlin, Vienna, Geneva, Istanbul. Drinks produced in Georgia have repeatedly been awarded gold and large gold medals at international competitions and fairs:

• 1889 – at the Caucasian Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition;
• 1891 – at the Kazan scientific and industrial exhibition;
• 1896 – at the All-Russian Exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod;
• 1900 – at the World Exhibition in Paris;
• 1901 – at the Caucasian anniversary exhibition;
• 1910 – at the Odessa Agricultural Exhibition;
• 1913 – at the Caucasian All-Russian Exhibition.

Despite all the upheavals of the first half of the 1947th century, the company has preserved a collection of unique cognac spirits created by David Sarajishvili. A great merit in this belongs to the chief cognac specialist of the plant Vakhtang Tsitsishvili. In the difficult post-revolutionary years, in conditions of devastation and anarchy, the enterprise was attacked by robbers and marauders. Tsitsishvili was able to wall up the compartments where the “golden fund” of precious spirits was kept. In XNUMX, Tsitsishvili was awarded the Stalin Prize for the creation of Eniseli and Yubileiny cognacs.

In the Soviet years, the Tbilisi Brandy Factory became the successor of Sarajishvili’s company. In 1954, a new building was rebuilt, the workshops were equipped with modern technological equipment, and rhythmic deliveries of grapes were established.

The modern stage of history began in 1994: the factory passed into private ownership and returned to its former name, in which the name of the founder of the cognac empire and the most famous brand of the factory are immortalized. More than 99% of the shares belong to the family of the founder of JSC Elgudzhi Bubuteishvili. Today, the company has in its arsenal a reserve of unique spirits – the oldest smoke-out of 1893. The company has acquired ownership of more than thirty hectares of vineyards, as well as land in various micro-zones of Georgia for new plantings. It is planned to build our own plant for the primary processing of grapes.

Awards

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

• 2003 – Grand Prize and the title of “The Best Cognac of the CIS” (“Erisioni”);
• 2004 – Grand Prix (“Sarajishvili 155”).

International competition “Yalta. Golden Griffin”:

• 2001 – Grand Prix (KS “Tbilisi”);
• 2005 – Supergrand Prix (“Sarajishvili XX century” OS);
• 2006 – Supergrand Prix (“Sarajishvili Jubilee” OS, 70 years old);
• 2007 – Supergrand Prix (“Sarajishvili XX century” OS);
• 2011 – Grand Prix (CS “Eniseli”);
• 2012 – Grand Prix (“Sarajishvili Jubilee” OS, 70 years old), 2 gold (“Sarajishvili VSOP”, “Sarajishvili XO”) medals;
• 2013 – Grand Prix (“Sarajishvili XX Century” OS), 2 gold (“Sarajishvili XO”, “Sarajishvili VSOP”) medals.

Interesting Facts

In 2017, the plant plans to produce a unique 124-year-old cognac. In its composition, it will be as close as possible to the most famous OS brand, created in 1901 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the reunification of Georgia with Russia. The exclusive drink will be produced in a very limited edition – 10 bottles per year, it is expected that its price will exceed 8 thousand dollars.

Types of cognac Sarajishvili

*Sarajishvili 3, 40%**

The youngest cognac of the classic collection is produced according to the original recipe of David Sarajishvili recreated by the technologists of the plant. The bouquet does not contain the extractiveness and sophistication of aged cognacs, but grape tones are pronounced, followed by notes of a flowering meadow, almond, dry tobacco leaf. The taste is soft and enveloping, with a slight piquant astringency in the aftertaste.

*Sarajishvili 5, 40%**

Ordinary cognac, the recipe of which was developed by David Sarajishvili. Alcohols for blending are obtained from Tsitska and Tsolikauri grapes grown in the Vartsikhe region. The aromatic range contains tones of sandalwood, grape seed, tobacco and old leather. The taste is revealed gradually: as the glass warms up, it reveals shades of white plum, roasted almonds, chocolate-vanilla cream.

“Sarajishvili VS”, 40%

Produced from cognac distillates of a minimum age of 6 years, aged in Iberica oak barrels. The blend also uses 15-year-old spirits obtained from Tsolikauri grapes grown in western Georgia. It is characterized by a pleasant amber-golden color, oak tones clearly appear in the bouquet. On the palate, notes of dried fruits and chocolate-resinous shades are harmoniously mixed. In an empty glass, the aroma of vanilla and white raisins remains for a long time.

Sarajishvili VSOP, 40%

Produced from distillates of a minimum age of 8 years, supplemented with a small amount of 20-year-old spirits. Wine materials are obtained from Chinuri and Goruli Mtsvane grapes grown in the Gori and Ateni zones of the Kartli region. The bouquet is dominated by soft notes of oak, the freshness of young white wine and a slight shade of walnut partitions. The taste is oily, noticeably sweetish, with leading tones of fresh fruit, lime blossom, chocolate cream, Yemeni cinnamon.

Sarajishvili XO, 40%

The flagship drink of the brand. The basis of the blend is cognac distillates at least 10 years old, the composition also uses spirits, the age of which reaches 30 years. Produced from Chinuri, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane grapes. Aromas of dried apricots, peaches, prunes combine with floral tones, sweet spices clearly show through. The drink needs to breathe for about 10 minutes, then the characteristic oak astringency and a light nutty shade “wake up”. As the flavor develops, notes of creamy chocolate and vanilla are revealed. Good as a digestif, can be served with a cup of coffee and a not too strong cigar.

Sarajishvili Extra, 40%

A new product in the line of the plant, produced in a limited edition. Assembled from spirits aged 25-50 years. It has a multi-layered bouquet containing woody-balsamic, nutty and vanilla notes. The taste is full-bodied, velvety, with a predominance of ripe quince, orange blossom, expensive Swiss chocolate. You should not serve snacks or desserts with this cognac – they will not allow you to focus on enjoying the flavor and aroma of the drink. Its best use is a self-sufficient digestif.