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The history of producing brandy goes back many centuries. In many cultures it was called ‘water of life’. The French still refer to clear fruit brandy as eaux de vie.
Although traditional brandies were produced from grapes or wine, in many regions since ancient times people distilled spirits from locally available fruits. Brandies distilled from fruits differ significantly from liquors with additive fruit flavors – this traditional distillation technology preserves the essence and all medicinal qualities of fruits.
In production of our version of ‘water of life,’ clear Gardman Fruit Brandies, we use locally sourced fruits – apricot, peach, apple, wild pear, mulberry- ferment them in barrels, and then distill several times in copper artisanal pot stills, alembics.
The process is rather arduous, and the art of it is in cleaning the fermented mass from all the off-tastes while preserving the essence, aromas and medicinal properties of the fruit. To produce one bottle of Fruit Brandy we use roughly 12-20 kg of fruit. We bring you the essence of Armenian orchard in every glass.
Our ancestors settled in Gardman region of South Caucus Mountains. According to family legends it was there that they started experimenting with distilling brandy from wine.
Cultivation of mulberry trees as a forage for feeding silk worms and abundance of mulberry berries spurred production of brandy from mulberry.
Our grandfather started his own farm. By that time he was already distilling spirits from not only grapes and mulberry, but also from apples, pears, cherries and plums.
The idea to revive our family’s traditional distillation methods was realized. Gardman Brandy was officially born and named in honor of our ancestors.
The first alembic was made by artisans using ancient designs.
The first bottles of Gardman Brandy became publicly available.
Our version of Eaux-De-Vie, Gardman, is a clear un-aged brandy, distilled from locally sourced organic fruits using ancient traditions of distillation passed in our family from generation to generation.
The name Gardman came from the name of the ancient region in South Caucasus Mountains, where our ancestors settled centuries ago, and where the roots of our fruit brandy production are.
In the art of making Gardman Fruit Brandies we use the same fermentation methods, the same multistep distillation technologies, the same artfully reproduced copper alembics, as our ancestors did. The revival of that ancient art in the new century is our tribute to their legacy.
Respectful approach to tradition, small batch production with attention to details ensures high quality of Gardman Fruit Brandy.
Mulberry trees were documented to have been first cultivated in China to assist in the production of silk. They were later discovered to have medicinal value. Throughout all Еastern cultures mulberry berries have been used for helping with balancing blood glucose levels, cardio-vascular problems and immune system dysfunctions. Mulberry Brandy is the only brandy recommended to those with diabetes. Although smooth, the Gardman Mulberry Brandy is not sweet and rather high in alcohol content.
Distilled from wild pear sourced from forests of Tavoush Region, our Pear Brandy redefines the meaning of organic. It takes about 15-20 kg of pears to produce a bottle of Brandy.
Their delicate and subtle essence is preserved in this stunningly fruit-forward and complex liquor.
Armenian grapes according to recent archeological findings had been cultivated in Ararat Valley since 4100 – 4000 BC. Our Grape brandy is made from these Armenian varieties. Temperature swings between night and day, high altitude sun and volcanic soil create unique conditions for intensely sweet and aromatic berries. Their essence is preserved in our Grape Brandy.
Apricot is revered in Armenia. It was cultivated here since ancient times. Almost 6000 year old apricot pits were recently uncovered in archaeological excavations. The Armenian varieties of the fruit have a very delicate aroma and intense sweetness attributed to the high altitude (from 600 to 1800 m above the sea level) and continental climate (with extreme temperature differences between hot days and chill nights.) Gardman Apricot Brandy is produced in limited releases.
Our Eau-de-vie de Pomme, clear un-aged Apple brandy, is distilled from locally sourced apples. At 51% alcohol level and with no residual sugar, it ‘immortalizes’ the essence of apple orchards, preserving their clean fresh taste in a smooth refined liquor.
Peach Brandy Gardman is produced from the best varieties of local peaches harvested at the pick of ripeness. It is a very delicate fruit and the timing is essential. The art of the distiller is in orchestrating the process in such a way that the freshness and the delicate essence of the fruit are captured at the right moment. Peach Brandy Gardman is an elegant yet strong alcohol liquor with subtle aroma and nuanced finish.
