Kakhuri Gvinis Marani Aged Chacha 750ML

Kakhuri Gvinis Marani Aged Chacha 750ML is an oak-aged Georgian grape spirit bottled at 40% ABV, double-distilled from indigenous Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grapes. This expression earned a Grand Gold medal at the Frankfurt International Trophy, underscoring its quality within a category that remains relatively undiscovered outside the Caucasus. The eight-month oak maturation lifts it well beyond the fiery, rustic profile many associate with traditional chacha.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Kakheti, Georgia  |  Aged 8+ Months in Oak  |  Distillery: Kakhuri Gvinis Marani

Production & Heritage

Kakhuri Gvinis Marani is a family-run distillery rooted in Georgia's Kakheti wine region, working from an original recipe passed down through generations. The Aged Chacha is produced through double distillation in traditional copper pot stills, using the pomace and must of Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane — two grape varieties native to Georgian winemaking for millennia. After distillation, the spirit rests in oak barrels for more than eight months, a step that separates it from the clear, unaged chacha commonly found across Georgia and imparts the amber hue and layered complexity this bottling is known for.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe grape and sweet red fruit before moving into fresh mint and a thread of warm oak. A gentle nuttiness emerges as the spirit breathes, anchoring the brighter top notes.

Taste: The entry is soft and buttery, building toward concentrated dried apricot and toasted walnut at mid-palate. Subtle spice and a sweet tang arrive at the peak, balanced by the smoothness the oak aging imparts. The overall impression is harmonious rather than sharp, with the grape origin always present.

Finish: Medium in length with a warm, lightly oaky fade and lingering dried-fruit sweetness. A faint herbal quality rounds out the close, keeping the palate clean.

How to Drink Aged Chacha

Neat at room temperature is the traditional Georgian serve and rewards the most complexity; a single ice cube opens the dried-fruit and nut character further without diluting the oak influence. For cocktails, the grape-forward profile makes it a versatile base:

• Grape Sidecar — Swap cognac for Aged Chacha to highlight its dried-apricot and citrus notes alongside Cointreau and lemon.
• Caucasus Sour — Use Aged Chacha in place of brandy in a classic sour template; the nutty, buttery backbone adds unexpected depth to egg white foam.
• Oak-Aged Spritz — Combine with prosecco and a splash of amaro; the oak-matured chacha brings a richer, more aromatic foundation than grappa in a similar build.

Best For

• Introducing a spirits-curious friend to Georgian grape brandy traditions
• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese and walnut board
• Gifting someone who already has every mainstream whisky and cognac
• Expanding a home bar with an uncommon, award-winning category

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Aged Chacha taste like? It leads with buttery dried apricot and toasted walnut, supported by subtle oak spice and a sweet grape tang. The overall profile is smooth and harmonious, far from the harsh bite of unaged chacha.

How does Aged Chacha compare to Italian grappa? Both spirits are distilled from grape pomace, but Aged Chacha's eight-month oak maturation gives it a rounder, nuttier character compared to most grappas, which are typically bottled unaged or with shorter wood contact. The indigenous Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grapes also lend a flavor profile distinct from the Muscat or Nebbiolo bases common in Italian grappa.

Is Aged Chacha good for sipping neat? Yes — the oak aging softens the spirit considerably, and at 40% ABV it is approachable enough for neat sipping while still retaining clear grape-distillate character.

Where is Aged Chacha made? It is produced by the family-run Kakhuri Gvinis Marani distillery in the Kakheti region of Georgia, the country's most celebrated wine-producing area in the eastern foothills of the Caucasus Mountains.

What foods pair well with Aged Chacha? Georgian cheese such as sulguni complements the buttery notes; walnuts and churchkhela (Georgian grape-and-nut confection) mirror the dried-fruit and nut profile; dark chocolate highlights the oak spice; and grilled stone fruit like peaches echoes the apricot character.

What sizes does Aged Chacha come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle at 40% ABV.

Is Aged Chacha worth the price? It positions in the affordable-to-mid-range tier for aged grape spirits, offering oak maturation and Grand Gold recognition at a price point well below most premium grappas or eaux-de-vie of similar quality.

Why Aged Chacha?

The Frankfurt International Trophy Grand Gold medal validates what Georgian families have known for generations: properly made, oak-rested chacha stands alongside the best grape spirits in the world. Kakhuri Gvinis Marani's use of indigenous Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grapes — varieties rarely seen in Western distillation — gives this bottling a flavor fingerprint that no grappa or brandy replicates. The eight-month oak maturation adds structure and warmth without masking the grape origin, striking a balance that appeals to both seasoned brandy drinkers and those discovering chacha for the first time. In a spirits landscape crowded with familiar categories, this expression stands out on heritage, technique, and sheer distinctiveness.