Tavria Askania XO Brandy 750ML is a 40% ABV Ukrainian brandy double-distilled using traditional Charentais copper pot stills in a 750ml bottle. Produced by PJSC Tavria House of Vintage Cognacs — founded in 1889 by Swiss colonists — the Askania XO earned a special diploma at the 2008 International Wine & Spirit Challenge in London, underscoring its standing among aged grape brandies outside of France.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Kherson Region, Ukraine | XO Expression | Distillery: PJSC Tavria House of Vintage CognacsProduction & HeritageTavria traces its roots to 1889, when Swiss colonists established a winemaking enterprise in the village of Osnova in Ukraine's Kherson region. The distillery operates as a full-cycle producer, overseeing every stage from vine cultivation through aging under one roof. The Askania XO is double-distilled using Charentais alembic stills — the same copper pot-still method required for French Cognac production — and aged in oak to reach XO maturity. Critically, Tavria's vineyards sit on the 46th parallel north, the identical latitude as Cognac, France, providing comparable continental climate conditions for grape spirit production. Between 1970 and 2012, the house accumulated 112 gold, 94 silver, and 38 bronze medals across international competitions, along with nine Grand Prix awards.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with an expressive wave of tree bark and dried wildflowers, layered over a secondary tier of vanilla, dark chocolate, and dried stone fruit. These elements combine into a harmonious, mature bouquet that signals serious oak contact.Taste: On the palate, the entry is soft and rounded, immediately revealing a deep richness that builds through the mid-palate. Dried fruit and chocolate notes from the nose carry through, joined by gentle oak tannins and a subtle warmth that never becomes aggressive at 40% ABV.Finish: The finish is notably lengthy, tapering slowly with lingering impressions of vanilla and toasted wood. A polished, velvety texture stays on the palate well after each sip subsides.How to Drink Askania XOThis brandy is best appreciated neat in a tulip-shaped snifter at room temperature, allowing the layered aromatics to open fully; a few drops of water can soften the oak presence if desired. For cocktails, the Askania XO works well in a Sidecar, where its dried-fruit and chocolate depth stands up to Cointreau and fresh lemon; a Brandy Alexander, where its vanilla-forward richness integrates seamlessly with cream and crème de cacao; and a Vieux Carré, where the oak backbone and lengthy finish anchor the drink's complex herbal layers.Best For Exploring aged grape brandy from outside the traditional French regions After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate Gifting to a spirits enthusiast who values distillery heritage and history Building a world brandy collection that goes beyond mainstream labels Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Askania XO taste like? Askania XO delivers a deep, soft, and rich palate dominated by dried fruit, dark chocolate, vanilla, and oak, followed by a notably lengthy finish with toasted wood and vanilla lingering throughout.How does Askania XO compare to mainstream French XO brandies? Tavria uses the same Charentais double-distillation method employed in Cognac, France, and its vineyards share the 46th parallel latitude with the Cognac region, producing grape spirits under similar climatic conditions. The key difference lies in terroir and the specific Ukrainian grape varieties used, which give Askania XO a distinctive dried-fruit and wildflower character not typically found in French expressions.Is Askania XO good for sipping neat? Yes — the soft entry, layered complexity, and extended finish make it well-suited for neat consumption, particularly after a meal when the chocolate and dried-fruit notes can be fully appreciated.Where is Askania XO made? Askania XO is produced by PJSC Tavria House of Vintage Cognacs in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, near the city of Nova Kakhovka, on vineyards situated along the 46th parallel north.What foods pair well with Askania XO? Dark chocolate truffles complement its cocoa and vanilla notes; aged hard cheeses like Gouda echo its toasty oak character; dried apricots and figs mirror its dried-fruit aromatics; roasted walnuts match the warm, nutty undertones; and crème brûlée pairs naturally with its vanilla-rich finish.What sizes does Askania XO come in? The standard available size is 750ml.Is Askania XO worth the price? Askania XO positions as a compelling value within the XO brandy tier, offering Charentais double-distilled quality and extended oak aging from a historic 1889 distillery at a price point well below most French XO alternatives.Why Askania XO?What separates Askania XO from the broader brandy landscape is its unusual combination of French Charentais distillation technique with Ukrainian terroir along the same latitude as Cognac itself. Tavria's 130-plus-year heritage as a full-cycle producer — controlling every phase from vineyard to bottle — provides a level of oversight that translates directly into the brandy's consistency and depth. The 2008 International Wine & Spirit Challenge diploma and the house's cumulative haul of over 240 international medals confirm that recognition extends well beyond regional borders. For drinkers looking to expand their understanding of what aged grape brandy can achieve outside France, the Askania XO presents a serious, historically grounded argument.
