Ararat VS 700ML

Ararat VS 700ML is a 5-year-aged Armenian brandy bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 700ml format. Produced by the historic Yerevan Brandy Company from select Ararat Valley grapes, this expression stands out for its proprietary Caucasian oak aging program and double-distillation process that yields a remarkably fruit-forward spirit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Ararat Valley, Armenia  |  5 Years Old  |  Distillery: Yerevan Brandy Company

Production & Heritage

Yerevan Brandy Company is one of Armenia's most prominent distilleries, with roots dating to the late 19th century and a legacy closely tied to Armenian brandy's international reputation. Ararat VS undergoes double distillation, with only the heart fraction (sometimes referred to as the "head" in Armenian brandy terminology) selected as the base spirit — a practice that concentrates flavor and removes heavier congeners. The liquid then matures for five years in barrels made from Caucasian oak at the company's own cooperage, established in 2002. This cooperage sources Armenian oak trees allowed to grow for 70 years, using only the heartwood, which has a tight grain structure that releases tannins slowly and imparts measured complexity over time.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe, juicy plum and sweet Armenian peach, gradually revealing layers of dried fruit and a faint wisp of bitter chocolate. A light peppery edge sits behind the fruit, adding definition without sharpness.

Taste: The entry is tender and fruit-driven, with plum and peach arriving first before black currant intensity develops across the mid-palate. Caramel sweetness emerges alongside subtle oak tannins, held in balance by a refined, almost delicate texture. The overall impression is one of soft sweetness tempered by just enough structure.

Finish: Medium in length, with lingering dried fruit and a gentle oak warmth. A quiet note of vanilla and a last trace of black currant round out the close.

How to Drink Ararat VS

Ararat VS drinks well neat at room temperature, where its dried fruit and caramel notes come through cleanly; a single ice cube opens the lighter peach and plum aromas without dulling the finish. In cocktails, its fruit-forward character and moderate oak backbone make it a versatile base. A Sidecar benefits from the brandy's natural peach sweetness, reducing the need for extra sugar. A Brandy Sour highlights the black currant and plum against fresh citrus. An Armenian Coffee Cocktail (brandy, espresso, simple syrup) plays off the chocolate undertone in the spirit.

Best For

• Introducing someone to Armenian brandy for the first time
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Building a brandy-based cocktail collection beyond Cognac
• Gifting a spirits enthusiast curious about Eastern European and Caucasian distilling traditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ararat VS taste like? Ararat VS is a fruit-forward brandy led by ripe plum, peach, and black currant, layered with caramel and light oak tannins from five years in Caucasian oak. The texture is delicate and slightly sweet, with a medium-length finish of dried fruit and vanilla.

How does Ararat VS compare to Noy brandy? Both Ararat and Noy are produced by Yerevan Brandy Company, but Ararat is generally regarded as the flagship line with broader international distribution and recognition. Noy expressions tend to occupy a similar price tier but often lean slightly more toward spice-driven profiles, whereas Ararat VS emphasizes fruit and caramel.

Is Ararat VS good for sipping neat? Yes — the five-year aging period gives it enough complexity for neat sipping, with soft tannins and a balanced sweetness that does not require dilution. It also works well with a single ice cube for a more casual serve.

Where is Ararat VS made? Ararat VS is produced at the Yerevan Brandy Company in Yerevan, Armenia, using grapes sourced from vineyards in the Ararat Valley, a fertile region at the foot of Mount Ararat renowned for its grape-growing conditions.

What foods pair well with Ararat VS? Dark chocolate truffles complement the brandy's bitter chocolate undertone. Dried apricots and stone fruit echo the peach and plum aromatics. Aged hard cheeses like aged Gouda stand up to the oak and caramel. Baklava or honey-walnut pastries mirror the spirit's gentle sweetness. Grilled lamb with aromatic spices pairs well with the peppery background notes.

What sizes does Ararat VS come in? Ararat VS is widely available in the 700ml format; the brand also produces some expressions in 500ml and 350ml sizes depending on the market.

Is Ararat VS worth the price? Ararat VS positions as an entry-level expression within the Ararat range, yet its five years of oak aging and proprietary cooperage program deliver complexity that competes with brandies at a higher price tier. It represents strong value for those exploring Armenian brandy.

Why Ararat VS?

The defining advantage of Ararat VS is its oak program. Few distilleries at this price point operate their own cooperage, let alone one that specifies 70-year-old trees and selects only heartwood for barrel staves. That slow-release tannin structure gives the brandy a refinement beyond what five years of aging typically achieves. Combined with a double-distillation regimen that prioritizes the cleanest cut of the spirit, Ararat VS delivers a remarkably polished Armenian brandy that serves equally well as a neat sipper and a cocktail foundation.