Ukraine: Tavria Cognac Factory

 Tavria Cognac Factory in Nova Khahovka was founded in 1889 around a large territory of locally growing vineyards. The vast enterprise produces over 20 brands of cognac (although they will have to stop using the word “cognac” by 2025 in agreement with France). The VIP tasting tour gets you to sample 8, 9, 10, 15, and 25 year old cognacs – and generous portions of each. The additional tour takes you to the production lines and also to the above ground cellar with barrels and barrels of cognac and alcohol so densely permeating the air that you can’t breeze. Surprisingly, the spirits were quite good and we bought a lot!