Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory
A historic Armenian producer of brandy, wine, vodka, and whisky, best known internationally for its Noy brandy portfolio.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory, formally known as the Yerevan Ararat Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory, is one of Armenia's historic alcoholic-beverage producers. The company is based in central Yerevan on the left bank of the Hrazdan River, on land associated with the former Erivan Fortress. Its modern identity is closely linked to the Noy brand, although the factory also produces and markets other Armenian brandies and a selection of whiskies. The enterprise traces its industrial origins to 1877, when the merchant and philanthropist Nerses Tairyan began commercial wine production at the site. Brandy production followed in 1887, establishing the foundation for the factory's long-term reputation. Tairyan received assistance in developing the facility from the painter Hovhannes Aivazovsky, who was related to him. In 1899, Tairyan leased the factory to Nikolay Shustov, a Moscow-based drinks entrepreneur who purchased it the following year for 50,000 roubles. Shustov and his company helped connect Armenian brandy production with the wider Russian imperial beverage market and introduced the factory to international competition. The present factory buildings were constructed in 1938 on the site of a former sardar palace belonging to the Erivan Fortress complex. Architect Rafael Israelyan designed the facility, which is recognized as an important industrial and architectural landmark in Yerevan. The plant's historical location, cellars, production traditions, and museum contribute to its role as both a beverage manufacturer and a site associated with Armenian cultural and industrial heritage. In 2002, the factory became part of Gagik Tsarukyan's Multi Group Concern. The change in ownership was followed by a major modernization program, including restoration and construction work, a new bottling line, and the acquisition of additional oak barrels. The reference material reports investment of approximately US$50 million in this program, although the available material does not provide a separately verifiable financial source beyond the cited encyclopedia reference. The company's principal brand family is Noy, which spans young, standard, aged, premium, gift, and collection expressions. Its range includes Noy Traditional, Noy Classic, Noy Kremlin Award, Noy Araspel, Noy Régal by Uberto Gucci, Noy Tirakal, and the limited or commemorative Noy 135 and Noy 140 collections. The factory also produces the older Noy 30 Years Old and Noy 50 Years Old expressions. Other brandy labels include Erivan Fortress, Legends of Sevan, and Varpet. In addition to brandy, the factory has expanded into whisky with Magarant, Mac Ingal, and Old Clark. The factory exports to markets across the CIS and Europe, as well as to the United States and Australia. Its products position the company in the premium and heritage segment of the international spirits market, emphasizing Armenian provenance, long maturation, oak aging, historical continuity, and presentation. The site also houses a museum documenting the factory's development and the people associated with Armenian brandy production. The company is active, but detailed current information about its corporate governance, financial performance, and official digital presence is not established in the supplied material.
History
The history of the Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory is closely connected with the development of industrial wine and brandy production in Armenia. In 1877, Nerses Tairyan, an Armenian merchant and philanthropist, began industrial wine production at a site in Yerevan associated with the former Erivan Fortress. Brandy production was added in 1887. Hovhannes Aivazovsky, a relative of Tairyan, assisted with the establishment of the factory, helping create the physical and technical basis for a large-scale drinks enterprise. A significant ownership transition occurred in 1899, when Tairyan leased the factory to Nikolay Shustov. Shustov had founded a drinks business in Moscow in 1863 and was among the early major brandy producers in the Russian Empire. His company, Shustov and Sons, became a powerful force in the imperial wine, brandy, vodka, and liqueur market. Shustov purchased the Yerevan factory in 1900 for 50,000 roubles. Under his direction, Armenian brandy became connected with a broader commercial network extending beyond Yerevan. In 1901, Shustov submitted factory brandy samples to an exhibition in Paris, an early example of the producer's international presentation. The factory also developed technical expertise through specialist personnel. In 1899, Shustov invited Kyrill Silchenko, a graduate of Nikitin's school of wine-making, to work at the facility. The involvement of trained wine-making professionals helped support the development of Armenian brandy production during a period when the industry was becoming more industrialized and commercially organized. The current principal factory complex dates from 1938. It was built on the location of a former sardar palace within the historic fortress area and designed by architect Rafael Israelyan. The complex's location beside the Hrazdan River and its relationship to Yerevan's historical center give the producer a distinctive physical identity. The buildings and cellars are not merely manufacturing infrastructure; they are also part of the heritage setting through which the factory presents Armenian brandy history. Following the post-Soviet transformation of Armenia's economy, the factory entered Multi Group Concern in 2002. The new ownership period brought reported investment of around US$50 million into restoration, construction, a new bottling line, and expanded oak-barrel capacity. These measures were intended to preserve the historic facility while improving production and packaging capabilities. The available reference does not establish the detailed terms of the transaction or provide a full financial history. In its contemporary form, the factory is most strongly associated with the Noy brand. The portfolio covers multiple maturation categories, including traditional and classic products, aged Kremlin Award expressions, premium Noy Tirakal, older Noy 30 and Noy 50 bottlings, gift formats, and collection releases. Other brandy labels, such as Erivan Fortress, Legends of Sevan, and Varpet, broaden the range. The company has also added whisky production under the Magarant, Mac Ingal, and Old Clark brands. The factory exports to the CIS, Europe, the United States, Australia, and other international destinations. Its museum presents the history of the site and the people involved in its development, reinforcing the connection between production, tourism, and national heritage. In 2016, the company publicly presented Noy 30 and Noy 50, extending its premium aged-brandy offer. The supplied sources do not provide enough current information to document later ownership changes, executive appointments, financial performance, or production volumes.
- 2016
Noy 30 and Noy 50 introduced
[1]The factory presents new 30-year-old and 50-year-old Noy brandies at a Yerevan ceremony.
- 2002
Factory enters Multi Group Concern
[1]The enterprise becomes part of Multi Group Concern and begins a major restoration and modernization program.
- 1938
Current factory complex constructed
[1]The present facilities are built on the former fortress site to a design by architect Rafael Israelyan.
- 1901
Brandy samples presented in Paris
[1]Shustov submits samples from the factory to an exhibition in Paris.
- 1900
Shustov purchases the factory
[1]Nikolay Shustov purchases the facility for 50,000 roubles.
- 1899
Factory leased to Nikolay Shustov
[1]Nerses Tairyan leases the factory to Moscow drinks producer Nikolay Shustov.
- 1887
Brandy production begins
[1]The enterprise expands from wine into industrial brandy production.
- 1877
Industrial wine production begins
[1]Nerses Tairyan begins industrial wine production at the Yerevan site associated with the former Erivan Fortress.
Products and positioning
Premium and heritage Armenian spirits producer focused on aged brandy, national provenance, oak maturation, and export markets.
Armenian brandy
Noy
The factory's principal brand family, Noy covers a broad range of Armenian brandies, from accessible traditional and gift expressions to long-aged and collection bottlings. The portfolio includes Noy Traditional, Noy Classic, Noy Kremlin Award, Noy Araspel, Noy Régal by Uberto Gucci, Noy Tirakal, Noy 30, Noy 50, Noy 135, and Noy 140.
Aged Armenian brandy
Noy Tirakal
Noy Tirakal is a premium expression identified in the supplied material as a 25-year-old Armenian brandy. It represents the factory's emphasis on extended maturation and high-end presentation within the wider Noy portfolio.
Ultra-aged Armenian brandy · 2016
Noy 30 and Noy 50
These long-aged Noy expressions were presented in 2016. Their age statements place them at the premium end of the factory's range and use extended maturation as a central product attribute.
Armenian brandy
Noy Kremlin Award
The Noy Kremlin Award line includes 7-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year-old expressions. It is one of the factory's principal named ranges and forms part of the broader aged-brandy portfolio.
Armenian brandy
Erivan Fortress
Erivan Fortress is a separate brandy range produced by the factory, with 3-, 5-, and 7-year-old expressions. Its name reflects the historical setting of the Yerevan facility.
Armenian brandy
Legends of Sevan
Legends of Sevan is an additional Armenian brandy label with 3-, 5-, and 7-year-old products listed in the supplied reference material.
Armenian brandy
Varpet
Varpet is a factory-produced brandy range available in 3-, 5-, and 7-year-old expressions.
Whisky
Magarant
Magarant is one of the whisky brands introduced by the factory. The listed product is a three-year-old deluxe whisky.
Blended whisky
Mac Ingal
Mac Ingal is a three-year-old blended whisky produced as part of the factory's expansion beyond Armenian brandy.
Whisky
Old Clark
Old Clark is a three-year-old deluxe whisky listed among the factory's newer whisky products.
Brand decisions
2016
Launch of Noy 30 and Noy 50Product launchBackground
The factory expanded its premium aged-brandy range with two products carrying 30-year and 50-year age statements.
Action taken
Noy 30 and Noy 50 were presented at a ceremony at the Multi Grand Hotel in northern Yerevan.
Aftermath
The launch strengthened the high-end positioning of the Noy portfolio, although detailed sales results are not available in the supplied sources.
2002
Transfer into Multi Group ConcernM&ABackground
The historic factory entered the Armenian business group Multi Group Concern during the post-Soviet period.
Action taken
Ownership was transferred to Multi Group Concern, associated in the reference material with Gagik Tsarukyan.
Aftermath
The factory underwent reported restoration and modernization, including construction work, a new bottling line, and additional oak-barrel capacity.
Reported modernization investment. Approximately US$50 million (After 2002)
Recent events
- 2016
Factory presents Noy 30 and Noy 50 brandies[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The company introduced its Noy 30 Years Old and Noy 50 Years Old Armenian brandies at a ceremony in Yerevan attended by President Serzh Sargsyan.
- 2016
Factory presents Noy 30 and Noy 50[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The factory introduced Noy 30 and Noy 50 Armenian brandies at a presentation held at the Multi Grand Hotel in Yerevan. The event was attended by Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan.
- 2002
Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory joins Multi Group Concern[1]
M&A
The factory entered Multi Group Concern ownership and subsequently underwent a substantial modernization and restoration program.
- 2002
Multi Group Concern takes the factory into its portfolio[1]
M&A · Other
The Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory entered Multi Group Concern, followed by a reported investment program covering restoration, construction, bottling equipment and oak barrels.
Sources1 sources
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