ARARAT Museum

You can visit the museum on a guided tour. Visits typically take an hour and include a brandy tasting. There are several options tailored to different palates and price points. You can do the standard package—three tastings, including a 7-year-old brandy—or try something more fancy, like the Ararat 10, which samples three, decade-old brandies. The Ararat Museum is a popular stop on half-day and full-day city tours of Yerevan.

• Book guided tours of the Ararat Museum (which give visitors a behind-the-scenes peek at the production facility) in advance, as slots sell out.

• If you taste a brandy you like, you can pick up a bottle—or two, or three—at the on-site gift shop.

• The Ararat Museum features a seasonal roster of special events and exhibitions—recent exhibits include contemporary grape-themed sculptures and a show dedicated to Armenian filmmaker Sergei Parajanov.

• The museum is situated on a hill, which means visitors can enjoy panoramic views overlooking the Armenian capital, especially in the pre-sunset golden hour.

The Ararat Museum is located in central Yerevan, just outside the downtown area and about an 8-minute drive from the Armenian Genocide Memorial. It’s about a 10-minute drive—or 30-minute walk—from Republic Square, where many Yerevan hotels are located. Taxis and rideshares are an easy option for getting around, while guided tours typically include transportation.

The Ararat Museum is open seven days a week, from morning until evening. Since visits are timed and booked in advance, it doesn’t get overcrowded. When planning your tour, consider that you’ll be sampling three or more varieties of brandy. Some people prefer to drink liquor in the afternoon or evening, while others have no problem tasting brandy at any time, even in the morning.

While Ararat brandy is delicious when drunk straight (apricot and coffee are popular choices), it can also act as a cocktail base. Check the Ararat Museum website for a list of recipes, all made using the brand's brandies. Distinctive picks include the Armenian 5 O’clock, made with black tea and berry juice, and Chocolate Cherry, flavored with Angostura Bitters and chocolate sugar syrup.