Ararat 5 Years Brandy

A 5yo Ararat grape brandy from Armenia's Yerevan Brandy Company

Brought to us by a visitor, this is an Armenian brandy whose name refers to Mount Ararat where the ark is said to have landed after the biblical flood. It was apparently a favourite of Winston Churchill.

Golden in the glass, it has a rich nose of tobacco, dried mixed fruit, peel and cedary spice.

The palate full of cooked, sweet dried fruit, roasted hazelnut, butterscotch, roasted spices and cigar box. Viscous and a touch fiery, it has a persistent finish.

A youthful spirit, it makes quite a statement but in a sophisticated sort of way - a bit like Robbie Williams.

It has a couple of IWSC Bronze medals.

Match with Christmas pudding, sticky toffee pudding, dark, bitter chocolate and an espresso or a cigar.

It is listed in the UK by Master of Malt (but currently sold out) and The Time Whisky Club (ditto) at £24.95.

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Links Ararat - website

Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dd/Ibey.jpg