Global Spirits USA, a privately-held, international manufacturer and marketer of wines and spirits, has initially introduced its newest product, Odessa Brandy, in Maryland and Georgia through the company’s distributors, Potomac Wines & Spirits and Savannah Distributing respectively. Available in 750-mL and 100-mL sizes, the product carries a suggested retail price of $9.99 or $1.49 respectively.
Odessa is named after a major seaport in the Ukraine, known as the "pearl of the Black Sea," which was founded in 1794 by a decree of the Empress Catherine the Great. The city has a rich history for winemaking and brandy production. The Shustov Distillery, which manufactures Odessa, lies about 20 kilometers from Odessa near the village Velikodolinskoe, surrounded by picturesque vineyards.
The Shustov Distillery is considered one of Europe’s largest distilleries to use traditional Alembic Charentais copper pot stills, and has the biggest production capacity not only in the Ukraine and CIS countries, but also in Europe. It remains the oldest brandy distillery in the Ukraine and houses the country’s largest collection of oak barrels with over 60,000 barrels made from French, Hungarian and western Ukrainian oak.
Odessa is produced from spirits distilled from white grape varietals including Rkatsiteli, Aligoté and Pinot varieties. The Rkatsiteli is an ancient pale-skinned grape variety from the Republic of Georgia—one of the oldest (if not the oldest) wine-producing regions on earth. Aligoté is a white grape used to make dry white wines in the Burgundy region of France, but it is also cultivated in many Eastern Europe countries.
Odessa is distilled using the traditional French “Charentais—or double fractional distillation – in copper pot stills. The heart of the distillate is then carefully selected to be bottled and aged, enhancing the delicate and refined aroma that is the signature of its white grape varietals. The spirit then ages in oak barrels for at least five years.
The resulting brandy is world class. Notes of oriental spices and citrus fruit dominate the first nose, while the second follows with hints of raisins and tones of maturity. The taste carries honey and nutty overtones, while the creamy caramel finish is long and smooth. It’s a brandy to be savored.
According to Steve Ackerman, national sales director, Global Spirits USA, LLC., Odessa will initially be available in Maryland and Georgia through the company’s distributors, Potomac Wines & Spirits and Savannah Distributing respectively. Available in 750-mL and 100-mL sizes, the product carries a suggested retail price of $9.99 or $1.49 respectively.
