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Yerevan Brandy Company – Ararat: Cultural heritage from Armenia

The history of wine-growing in Armenia dates back over 3,000 years, and brandy has been distilled for over 150 years. Businessman Nerses Tairjanz, inspired by his cousin Vasily Tairov, a wine-growing expert, founded a wine and schnapps factory in the capital Yerevan in 1877. His entrepreneurial spirit and curiosity were his starting capital, the natural resources lay in the ideal conditions of the Ararat valley for the quality of the grapes. In a few decades, the Armenian brandy gained recognition far and wide.

In 1899, the company was sold to the Russian merchant dynasty Schustow, a large alcohol distributer in Eastern Europe. At the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, the brandy was awarded the ‘Grand Prix’ and received the right to be called ‘Cognac’. In 1922, Armenia became a Soviet Republic and the company was nationalised. It had a monopoly on the manufacture of brandy in the Armenian SSR and brought in high tax revenues over 70 years. Following the demise of the USSR and the new founding of the state of Armenia in 1991, the company lost the monopoly. In 1998, it was privatised and sold for 30 million US dollars to the Pernod Ricard Group. More than 90 percent of the products of the Yerevan Brandy Company are exported worldwide to 35 countries. The flagship brand is Ararat Brandy, of which there are varieties stored in a ‘treasure chamber’ for decades.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Ararat Ani and Ararat Akhtamar, and silver for Ararat Nairi.

Mozart Chocolate Liqueur: Exquisitely chocolaty pleasurable experiences from Salzburg

Masterful perfection and unique enjoyment through its exceptional taste – this is the signature of Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, an exceptional chocolaty symphony, using only natural ingredients and blended in a perfectly balanced ratio to achieve its unmistakable flavour profile. It has been made with great attention to detail by a master distiller and chocolatier, inspired by the world’s most popular chocolates. The brand originated in Austria, but it is also on the road to international success with over 90 percent sold in export.

Every Mozart bottle is produced and filled in the distillery in Salzburg – just as they have been for over 40 years. Each individual production stage demands the highest quality standards, which are only possible thanks to decades of experience. The elaborate and time-consuming process of converting the recipe for the Original Mozart Liqueur involves many individual steps, some of which are still carried out by hand. Mozart Chocolate Liqueur can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: pure and unadulterated, slightly chilled on the rocks, or for pure indulgence, as a special chocolaty ‘choctail’.

At the World Spirits Award, there was double gold and the titles Spirit of the Year 2024 for Mozart Coffee Chocolate and Mozart Cream Chocolate, gold for Mozart Dark Chocolate and Mozart Coconut Chocolate, and silver for Mozart Pumpkin Spice, Mozart White Chocolate Vanilla Cream and Mozart White Chocolate Cream Strawberry.