This is what happens when you let hubby go to the liquor store by himself. He comes home with a $90 bottle of brandy. But it tastes so good, I guess I’ll have to let it slide.
We first tried the Ararat 5 Stars brandy after watching an episode of Jack Maxwell’s “Booze Traveler” called “The Armenian Trail”. The 5 Stars is a smooth, vanilla-laden brandy aged in oak for five years. By comparison, Nairi is the Yerevan company’s top of the line, 20-year aged brandy.
The pour is a gorgeous deep amber color with heady aromas of roasted nuts, toffee, cedar, and oak. Nuts and toffee continue on the palate with hints of graphite. A bit of honey flavor is present while maintaining a dry character. A long lingering finish leaves behind clove and peppery spice with a trace of minerals. Overall, the Nairi is complex and well-balanced.
The Remy Martin V.S.O.P. that I recently reviewed had noticeably more fruit than the Nairi brandy. We made delicious premium Sidecar cocktails with the Remy, however Nairi is one brandy we will be drinking neat. No Sidecars with this one.
Boozy Lifestyle© 