Review: Teryan Armenian Brandy 8 Years Old

Armenia is one of the great, unsung brandy-producing regions of the world. This newly imported bottling is produced at Proshyan Distillery, one of the oldest distilleries in the country, founded in 1885. The brandy is made from the Mskhali and Kangun grapes, which come from the Ararat, Armavir, and Vayots Dzor regions. It is aged for 8 years in 400 liter oak barrels and bottled in a fetching, oval-shaped decanter. Let’s give it a whirl.

Like most Armenian brandies, Teryan offers a rich depth of flavor that you won’t find in most French or American brandies. Aromatic with notes of cola and baking spice, it’s immersive right away, almost evoking coffee, sprinkled with cinnamon. The palate sees a lot of the same elements, but the backdrop is one of gentle sweetness, almost coming across like cola syrup — quite soft, with lots of vanilla, milk chocolate, and a note of maraschino cherry. There’s no sense of bite in the brandy, that soft character really working to keep smoldering down low as a mild, supple experience, with a slight touch of clove-dusted oak on the finish.

It’s a full-on straight-shooter, but you can’t go wrong at this price.

80 proof.

B+ / $26

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