The grapevine was cultivated on the mountain slopes of sunny Georgia in the 11th century, and the process of converting grape juice into an alcoholic beverage has its own peculiarities in this Caucasian country. Of course, Georgian spirits do not have the range of flavors that French winemakers can boast of. But the best Georgian cognacs have long gained popularity in different corners of the globe, and true connoisseurs of distillates appreciated the uniqueness and quality of the Georgian alcoholic beverage. So how to choose a good Georgian cognac?
Without taking into account the most expensive varieties, we will try to compile a list of the best Georgian cognacs from good budget to elite vintage varieties.
1
Niko Pirosmani
Georgian cognac Niko Pirosmani is created in the best Georgian traditions. The bouquet is dominated by floral, fruity aromas. A balanced taste emphasizes the perfect quality of the drink and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. Cognac has a characteristic rich shade of amber.
Drink Niko Pirosmani produces one of the largest companies in Georgia. Each year, more than 10 million liters of cognac are exported to Italy, Belarus, France and other European countries. The products are distinguished by impeccable taste and remain stably in demand among the best connoisseurs of cognac drinks.
2
Cognac Sarajishvili
5-star Georgian cognac Sarajishvili is made on the basis of the time-tested traditions of Georgia’s oldest cognac company, founded back in 1884.
The five-year-old drink has a rich dark straw color, with a slight golden sheen. Only grape varieties grown on the slopes of Kakheti are used in the blend.
This really good Georgian brandy gives a bitterness, characteristic of young cognacs, the taste is a little tart, but pleasant, and from the first sip you can feel light coffee notes.
3
Cognac "OS"
The abbreviation stands for "very old", and began to produce it in 1901 on the centenary of the unification of Russia and Georgia.
The author of the magnificent drink was D. Sarajishvili himself, where in the blend they used various extracts of alcohols, the youngest of which was 12 years old.
The drink has a dark amber color with a sunny golden sheen. But light coffee and tobacco notes are woven into an exquisite bouquet of vanilla and resinous tones.
4
Cognac "Eniseli"
Seventy-five bottles of this exquisite drink, which began to be produced in 1947, Joseph Stalin presented the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on his 75th birthday. But the author of the drink V. Tsitsishvili was awarded the Stalin Prize.
In production used blending alcohols, whose age exceeds 14 years. The bouquet contains notes of vanilla with a touch of almond.
Moderately extractive drink, relaxing and at the same time giving vigor.
5
Googul
One of the youngest brandy brands today was created in 1996, but is notable for its high quality and heady aroma of brandies produced.
Production is located in the Georgian city of Bolnisi, and products are exported to many countries of Eastern Europe and to Russia. The Guruli brand line includes such popular drinks as Colchis and Bouquet of Georgia.
Cognac Guguli is distinguished by its peculiar taste and enchanting aroma, and these alcoholic drinks are produced on the basis of high-quality alcohols of 3-5-year aging.
6
Cognac "Vartsikhe"
Among the Georgian cognacs, the drink that began to be produced in 1954 stands out especially. Among the true connoisseurs of spirits, he has long gained popularity due to excellent quality and reasonable price.
Alcohols of 7 years old and older are used in production. The saturated bouquet of Vartsikhe cognac is quite complex, and from the first sips it will captivate with light notes of vanilla, into which coffee shades burst.
The taste is a little tart, but judging by the reviews, it is drunk gently and captivates with a pleasant aroma.
7
Aragveli
Georgian brandy Aragveli is named after the Aragvi River, highly esteemed by every Georgian, and the most ancient technologies were used in the production of the drink.
The peculiarities of its taste and aroma are due to the fact that these cognacs are produced from local grape varieties cultivated on the sunny slopes of the wine-growing regions of Tsinanadali, Kartli, Shilda-Kvareli.
Alcohols for the production of Aragveli cognac are stored in oak barrels, and products are supplied to many countries of the former Soviet Union.
8
"Heart of Aragvi"
In this series, one should also note the enchanting Georgian cognac Heart Aragvi, produced by the Katekhinsky traditional wine-making company.
The product is young, but firmly entrenched among the leading brands. It has a heady, grassy scent with light citrus tones.
The rich amber color casts in ruby hues, and the drink is bottled in a slightly elongated bottle with gilding elements.
9
Askaneli
The Askaneli Brothers company carefully preserves ancient recipes and traditions for the production of good cognacs, among which the Georgian cognac Askaneli 5-year-old deserves special attention.
Cognac owes its exceptionalness to the unique soils and climatic conditions of Kakheti, where grape varieties used for making blends grow.
The most delicate bouquet of vanilla tones and soft taste will not leave you indifferent, and the aftertaste will enchant you with the aroma of fresh grapes.
10
Gremy
10-year-old vintage Gremi cognac, produced exclusively from local grape varieties, was launched into production in 1961.
Its feature is 43 percent alcohol, and it also has a great mild flavor and a bewitching aroma.
Quality is checked not only by time, but also by international recognition. Cognac was awarded four gold and two silver medals at prestigious international exhibitions. In addition, it was noted in the Soviet period, having received awards at wine festivals in Yalta, Tbilisi and in Budapest.
11
Galavani
The Askaneli brothers produce cognac, which in the early 2000s entered the category of elite alcoholic beverages, and is known far beyond the Caucasus.
Georgian brandy Galavani 5 years of aging is made from distillers of the most famous wine-growing regions of Georgia. Special oak barrels were made to store spirits, and the drink is aged in such containers for 3 to 8 years, and Georgian Galavani cognac of 8 years old is simply ideal for proclaiming table toasts.
The drink with a golden amber color has a dense and harmonious taste, with prevailing notes of honey and almonds.
12
Daishi
A drink with a poetic name, which means “Twilight” in Georgian, is made from local grape varieties grown and harvested from the vineyards of Kakheti.
Georgian brandy Daisi is a blend of spirits of different aging, which languished in barrels of Iberian oak, and then poured into original bottles.
It is the oak containers that give Daisi a special astringency and oiliness, and the aroma enchants with vanilla in combination with coffee shades.
13
"Old Kakheti"
The soft and fragrant Georgian cognac of Kakheti with traditions of production and applied technologies goes back to the end of the 19th century, when Antimoz Chkhaidze founded the cognac factory.
Wine materials are made from the famous grape variety Rkatsiteli. It is the special technology and storage of alcohols in Iberika barrels that provide high quality and excellent taste and aroma of Georgian cognac.
Interestingly, but the drink gets into the bottle only after tasting by the “Council of the Seven Oldest”, which determine the class of cognac.
14
Tamarioni
The minimum age of the distillers used in the Tamarioni drink is at least 5 years, and water from artesian springs is taken for production.
Experts praised the quality of this cognac, and it is quite popular not only in the Caucasus, but also in neighboring countries. The aromatic and heady drink is poured into oblong bottles traditional for Georgia, which clearly emphasize the amber color of cognac.
The rich and complex bouquet is dominated by notes of vanilla with an enchanting shade of coffee and mountain herbs.
15
Talavari
Cognac Talavari is made from the best wine materials, created on the basis of local grape varieties, according to old Kakheti methods.
It has a rich bright amber color, and the taste harmoniously combines vanilla and nutty tones with light shades of spices and fresh grapes.
Three distillation alcohols, which are stored in barrels of local production Iberica, are mainly used for distillation.
16
"Georgia"
It was released on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Georgian SSR and was made from 20-year-old alcohol. The golden tint of the amber-colored drink pleases the eye, and the aroma intoxicates with a combination of different shades.
The bouquet is based on vanilla notes, but the aftertaste is preserved for a long time by almond shades and spices. The oily taste of the drink is given by special containers in which alcohols are stored, and blending occurs.
One of the best cognacs of Georgia was widely popular in the Soviet Union, and at that time was expensive in price.
17
Rustaveli
According to experts and customers, this is a real gem among Georgian spirits. It has been produced for more than 50 years, and it has long won the heart of every Georgian.
It is harmonious in everything: in color, in a combination of aromas and tastes. It is difficult to describe the merits of the drink, but it can be felt.
The light heady aroma of vanilla, captures as soon as the bottle is uncorked, and the sweet taste will leave only a pleasant impression.
18
Ericioni
A series of Georgian cognacs, created according to the old traditions of Shaba wine-making, is not inferior in its taste qualities to the French in the same price line.
True connoisseurs will appreciate not only the taste and aroma, but also the original bottle, into which a wonderful drink is poured. It is based on alcohols of 25 years of aging, which gives it sophistication and sophistication.
The bouquet is harmoniously composed, with a predominance of honey tones, with a pleasant floral aroma.
19
"Anniversary"
25-year-old cognac is rightfully included in the golden collection of alcoholic beverages in Georgia, and has repeatedly become the laureate and prize winner of exhibitions and festivals.
A masterpiece created from the best grape varieties, has gained popularity around the world for its sophistication of taste and exceptional aroma.
Experts note the softness of taste, as well as the incredible harmony and balance of the drink.
20
Abkhazia
In 1970, branded cognac appeared on store shelves with the name of one of the regions of the northwestern Caucasus, and immediately became the most important attribute of the feast.
The beverage is aged for 10 years, and grapes grown only in the Caucasus are used in its manufacture. White grape varieties give the drink a light golden color, while the taste is soft and harmonious.
Today it is quite difficult to purchase this 10-year-old drink, made according to the same traditional recipes of the Soviet era.
21
Iberia
In the era of socialism, it was customary to pronounce "Iveria", but this did not in the least detract from the merits of a great drink with a 12-15-year aging.
Uncomplicated, traditional bottle is filled with quality content with a pleasant, juicy aroma and velvety taste.
In the late 80s, this brand was no longer produced, and only collectors retained individual copies. Now on the world market there is cognac with the same name, but younger, made from 3-year-old alcohols.
22
"Georgian legend"
The country, which itself is covered with many legends, could not help but release cognac with such a romantic name. Cognac "Georgian Legend" has rightfully become a legend of cognac production and the pride of the country's winemakers.
Traditionally, the “legend” is poured into oblong bottles with a high neck, and the glass itself perfectly conveys the light golden color of the drink.
The taste, with a predominance of vanilla and coffee shades, is soft, and the aroma is rich and perfectly balanced.
23
Kazbegi
We complete the list and presentation of the photo with one of the oldest cognacs that was produced in the USSR, and its production began during the war years, in 1943.
The alcohol content was 45%, but the taste was soft and saturated. The heady aroma of fresh grapes in combination with spices left a slight aftertaste.
Now bottles produced in the years 60-70 can be found only in museums at factories or among true collectors.
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Finally
It is difficult to determine which brandy is the best, because for this they need to try everything, but the rating of cognacs is based on customer reviews and expert estimates. Most-Beauty.ru promotes a healthy lifestyle, so you should always remember the dangers of drinking alcohol!
As you can see, Georgia has a glorious tradition of brandy production, and today Georgian companies keep the brand, and many Georgian brandies, especially those with 5 stars, can be assigned the category VSOP. Unfortunately, due to the huge assortment and limited time, many worthy brands of Georgian strong drinks didn’t fall into our article, such as “Tiflis’s Treasure”, “Samtrest”, “Iori Cognac”, “David Iverieli”, “Tamarioni”, "Dougladze", "Muzaradi", "Aznauri" and many others.
In the USSR, Armenian cognac was direct competitors of Georgian alcoholic beverages, but each one occupied its own niche in the market and found its true connoisseurs. Our editorial staff asks you to write in the comments what good Georgian cognac you would recommend to our readers.