Sarajishvili VS Brandy 750ML is a Georgian brandy blended from wine distillates of indigenous grape varietals and aged in French oak casks at 40% ABV. Founded in 1884 by nobleman and chemist David Sarajishvili, the house introduced French cognac production technology to Georgia for the first time. The VS expression draws from distillates sourced across multiple Georgian regions, including spirit made from Chinuri, Tsitska, Goruli Mtskvane, and Kakhuri Mtskvane grapes—varietals rarely encountered outside the Caucasus. Rated 91 points by Tastings.com, this brandy punches well above its price tier.Tasting Notes:Aroma: Wildflowers and dried fruit lead into deeper layers of conditioned leather and salty nuts. A subtle olive brininess rounds out the bouquet alongside traces of raisins steeped in balsamic.Taste: The entry is smooth and velvety, giving way to a medium-to-full body that feels supple and bright on the mid-palate. Savory umami tones—brown butter, salted nuts—merge with a dryish texture that keeps the sweetness firmly in check. The overall impression is complex without being heavy.Finish: Medium in length with a tingling warmth that carries oak, brown spices, cola, and mocha undertones. Mossy earth and a faint balsamic sweetness linger as the final impressions.How to Drink Sarajishvili VS Brandy:Sip it neat at room temperature or with a single ice cube to let those wildflower and leather aromatics open up gradually. In a classic Sidecar, the dried-fruit depth and dryish profile stand up to Cointreau and fresh lemon without getting lost. A Brandy Sour benefits from the savory umami backbone, which adds dimension beyond what a typical VS spirit delivers. For a low-effort serve, build a Brandy and Ginger—the brown-spice finish meshes naturally with quality ginger ale.Best For: Exploring Georgian brandy-making traditions dating back to 1884 After-dinner sipping with friends who appreciate Old World spirits Elevating brandy-forward cocktails with an uncommon flavor profile Gifting to adventurous spirit enthusiasts looking beyond French cognac Frequently Asked Questions:What does Sarajishvili VS Brandy taste like? It delivers a velvety, medium-to-full body with savory notes of salty nuts, brown butter, and dried fruit, finishing on brown spice, cola, and earthy moss. The profile leans drier and more savory than many fruit-forward VS brandies.How does Sarajishvili VS compare to Hennessy VS? Hennessy VS relies on Ugni Blanc grapes from the Cognac appellation and tends toward a sweeter, more vanilla-driven profile, while Sarajishvili VS uses indigenous Georgian varietals like Chinuri and Tsitska that produce distinctly savory, umami-rich character. Both are aged in French oak, but the grape varietals create noticeably different flavor foundations.Is Sarajishvili VS Brandy good for beginners? Yes—its smooth, velvety entry and moderate 40% ABV make it approachable, while the layered complexity rewards anyone ready to pay closer attention to what is in the glass.Where is Sarajishvili VS Brandy made? It is produced by JSC Sarajishvili in the Republic of Georgia, using wine distillates from various Georgian grape-growing regions. Distillation follows French Charente methods, and the spirit matures in French oak casks.What foods pair well with Sarajishvili VS Brandy? Dark chocolate with sea salt, aged hard cheeses like Manchego, roasted walnuts, dried apricots, and cured meats such as bresaola or Georgian basturma all complement its savory, dried-fruit character.Why Buy Sarajishvili?David Sarajishvili was the first producer in the Russian Empire to apply French cognac-making techniques, establishing the house in Tbilisi in 1884—making it one of the oldest continuously operating brandy producers in the Caucasus. The brand has earned more than 250 international exhibition prizes, including 6 super grand prizes, 35 grand prizes, and over 155 gold medals at events in Paris, Brussels, and Chicago. The VS blend incorporates distillates with the oldest component exceeding 10 years of age, unusual generosity for a VS designation. Few spirits at this level offer both historical pedigree and genuinely distinctive flavor sourced from grape varietals most drinkers have never encountered.
