Ararat 7 Star Ani 700ML

Ararat 7 Star Ani 700ML is a 7-year-old Armenian brandy bottled at 40% ABV, double-distilled from local white grapes at the Yerevan Brandy Company. This expression earned a Gold medal at The Brandy Masters 2021, judged by The Spirits Business, confirming its standing among the category's most respected aged brandies.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Yerevan, Armenia  |  7-Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Yerevan Brandy Company

Production & Heritage

The Yerevan Brandy Company has been Armenia's defining brandy producer for well over a century, with roots tracing back to 1887. Ararat Ani is produced using the traditional French cognac method — double distillation in copper pot stills, with only the "heart" cut retained for aging. What distinguishes this 7-year expression is its maturation in hand-crafted Caucasian oak barrels, sourced from trees often exceeding 70 years old, which contribute a signature depth of dried fruit, vanilla, and chocolate character that separates Armenian brandy from its French counterparts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried figs and sweet almonds arrive first, followed by bright citrus tones and a subtle undercurrent of warm spice. The nose is harmonious rather than aggressive, with the Caucasian oak lending gentle warmth.

Taste: The entry is soft and fruit-forward — stewed plums, apricot, and nutty dates establish an inviting foundation. At mid-palate, caramel sweetness and vanilla intertwine with cinnamon and a flicker of black pepper. The oak influence remains measured throughout, allowing the fruit and spice layers to share equal weight.

Finish: Long and genuinely warm, trailing off with lingering spice and a faint echo of dried fruit. The texture is smooth and rounded, with no harshness despite its moderate proof.

How to Drink Ararat Ani

Neat at room temperature is the ideal serve, allowing the full complexity of seven years in Caucasian oak to express itself. A single large ice cube opens the brandy slightly without diluting its layered spice profile. Three cocktails where Ani performs well:

• Sidecar — the dried fruit and caramel notes amplify the classic combination of citrus and orange liqueur.
• Brandy Old Fashioned — Ani's inherent sweetness and spice reduce the need for added sugar, letting the oak and fruit shine.
• Vieux Carré — the warm cinnamon and plum character holds its ground alongside rye whiskey and sweet vermouth in this split-base classic.

Best For

• Introducing someone to aged Armenian brandy for the first time
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Gifting a brandy or cognac enthusiast something outside the French mainstream
• Building a home bar's brandy shelf with a distinctive regional expression

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ararat Ani taste like? Ararat Ani delivers a fruit-driven profile of stewed plums, dried apricots, and figs layered with caramel, vanilla, and warm baking spices like cinnamon and black pepper. The finish is long, warm, and smooth with lingering spice.

How does Ararat Ani compare to Hennessy VS? Hennessy VS is a younger, unaged-statement cognac that leans toward fresh fruit and light oak, while Ararat Ani carries a full 7-year age statement and delivers richer dried fruit, nut, and spice complexity from Caucasian oak maturation. Ani also tends to position at a lower price point than Hennessy VS while offering more age-derived depth.

Is Ararat Ani good for sipping neat? Yes — seven years of aging in Caucasian oak gives Ani enough complexity and smoothness to reward slow, contemplative neat sipping. Its balanced sweetness and moderate 40% ABV make it approachable without any added water or ice.

Where is Ararat Ani made? Ararat Ani is produced at the Yerevan Brandy Company in Yerevan, Armenia. The distillery uses locally grown Armenian white grapes and ages the spirit in barrels crafted from Caucasian oak native to the region.

What foods pair well with Ararat Ani? Dark chocolate truffles complement the brandy's caramel and vanilla sweetness. Dried fruit and nut platters mirror its core flavor profile naturally. Aged hard cheeses like Gouda or Manchego match the oak-driven richness. Baklava or other honey-and-nut pastries echo its warm spice notes. Grilled lamb with Middle Eastern spices bridges the savory gap with the brandy's cinnamon and pepper finish.

What sizes does Ararat Ani come in? The standard bottle size is 700ml, which is the most widely available format internationally. A 500ml format is also produced for certain markets.

Is Ararat Ani worth the price? Ararat Ani positions as a mid-range aged brandy that punches above its price tier — a 7-year age statement and Gold medal at The Brandy Masters 2021 place it alongside brandies that often cost significantly more. It represents strong value for drinkers exploring aged spirits beyond cognac.

Why Ararat Ani?

The Gold medal at The Brandy Masters 2021 validated what Armenian brandy enthusiasts have long known: Caucasian oak maturation produces a flavor profile that stands apart from anything in the cognac or Spanish brandy world. Seven years of aging in barrels crafted from oak trees exceeding 70 years old gives Ani a dried fruit and spice complexity that younger competitors simply cannot replicate. The double-distillation method borrowed from French tradition, combined with uniquely Armenian raw materials, places this expression at the crossroads of Old World technique and regional terroir. For drinkers looking to expand beyond familiar French labels, Ararat Ani is among the most credible and accessible entry points into Armenian brandy.