Shustov: history, overview, types, interesting facts
One of the most famous brands of the Russian Empire, which has made a worthy competition to the best French cognacs, continues to delight connoisseurs with excellent quality and noble taste.
The village of Velykodolynske, not far from Odesa, has been producing fine drinks since the end of the XIX century.
History of the Shustov brand
The Shustov family, which grew from peasantry to a noble family, became famous even before the foundation of cognac production. In 1863, Nikolai Shustov founded the company N. Shustov & Sons, which began the merchant dynasty's journey into the world of elite alcohol.
A small distillery in Moscow, specializing in vodka, became the starting point for a great empire.
At that time, there were a huge number of similar enterprises in the Russian Empire, so it took a truly outstanding entrepreneurial flair to conquer the market. And Nikolai Shustov had it. Instead of reducing prices by saving on quality, the far-sighted merchant decided to launch an active advertising campaign that went down in history.
To promote the product, the merchant hired emotional students who, when they came to local drinking establishments, first of all demanded to be served "Shustov vodka".
If it was not in the assortment, the newly-minted artists made a real scandal and defiantly left the institution. Tavern owners had no choice but to buy the missing drink.
In 1897, the first Odesa cognac called "Phoenix" was released, and in 1899 the Shustovs' possessions were supplemented by the Erivan Cognac Factory. At that time, the family business was already run by the founder's sons (the eldest was named Mykola in honor of his father).
The Shustovs would not be Shustovs if they broke the family tradition of doing everything thoroughly. Before the release of new products, the art of cognac was studied in detail, for which Nikolai's brother Vasily Shustov went to France. Advertising of the drinks was organized by analogy with vodka, only instead of students, Moscow restaurants were visited by respectable ladies and gentlemen who demanded "Shustov cognac".
At the beginning of the 20th century, the company became one of the official suppliers of the Imperial Court, owning three cognac factories at that time: Yerevan, Odesa and Chisinau.
In 1913, the company was ranked 4th in terms of cognac production and 1st in tinctures and liqueurs in the Russian Empire.
In the Soviet years, all enterprises were nationalized, and the Shustov family was left with nothing.
Today, the owner of the famous brand is OKZ (Odesa Cognac Factory), which is part of the Global Spirits alcohol holding.
In 2002, the most powerful workshop in Europe with French distillation equipment was equipped here, where about 3 million decaliters of the precious drink are produced in one season.
In 2009, the Expert Council of the Trade Leader's Club awarded TM Shustov with the golden award "For the Best Brand". Among the most titled and best-selling drinks of the brand: "Ukraine (11 medals), Kyiv (8 medals), Odesa and Desna (6 medals each).
In 2012, the European Business Assembly awarded OKZ the title of "The Best Cognac Enterprise in Europe".
Features of production
The secret of success of Shustov cognacs lies in favorable climatic conditions, high-quality raw materials and adherence to classical production technology.
The vineyards, located near the village of Velykodolynske, are situated on the same parallel with the French Cognac region, in close proximity to the Black Sea. The weather conditions are characterized by a large number of sunny days, hot summers, mild winters, and a high oxygen content in the air.
Local soils are highly fertile: they consist mainly of black soil and limestone-humus deposits.
Grape vines were imported from the best nurseries in France and Germany. In order to prevent diseases, the plantations are surrounded by rose bushes and planted with a wide interval between the rows (3 m).
For the distillation of young wine, Charente distillation cubes made in France by Prulho are used. Distillation is performed twice within 36 hours.
Aging is carried out in barrels made of century-old oak for 3-50 years. Wood from the French forests of Limousin and Tronçais is used for their production, flour and reed leaves are used as a sealant. Some barrels of OKZ are more than 100 years old.
Overview of types
The collection of the famous brand consists of 6 main product lines:
Ordinary cognacs made from spirits aged 3-5 years
The most famous: "Desna 3* and Desna 4*, produced since 1988. Golden amber drinks have a spicy aroma of musk, mint and grapefruit.
The harmonious taste is dominated by notes of oak, cedar, roasted coffee, plum.
A memorable aftertaste with hints of cherry and ginger.
Good as a digestif, perfectly combined with coffee, cigar and fruit.
Shustoff
A classic series that includes refined, soft blends of spirits aged 3-5 years. The recipe was created in the XX century.
The line includes cognacs "3 stars", "4 stars" and "5 stars".
Main notes in the bouquet: vanilla, flowers, chocolate, fruit, prunes.
In the aftertaste there are notes of almonds, ginger, orange. Ideal as a digestif and cocktail ingredient.
Grand Prix Paris
Cognacs that include French and Ukrainian premium spirits (at least 10 years of aging) with the addition of 20-year-old components. First produced over 100 years ago.
The line consists of 2 outstanding drinks "GRAND PRIX PARIS V".S.O.P." and "GRAND PRIX PARIS V.S".
The first one is characterized by a velvety creamy chocolate bouquet with notes of oak, vanilla, honey, roasted nuts, white cherries, and a long aftertaste with a hint of grape seed.
The second one has a delicate flavor with tones of candied fruit, vanilla, honey, roasted nuts, candied fruit, and a warm, long raisin finish.
Vintage cognacs
Exclusive drinks are made from spirits aged 8-15 years, aged in Hungarian oak barrels.
"Chayka" has a delicate floral and creamy bouquet with tones of violet, almond, ginger.
"Arcadia" is characterized by a deep amber-honey hue and a complex taste with a predominance of vanilla and chocolate tones.
"Yubileinyi" is characterized by amber-golden color, delicate velvet bouquet with floral, chocolate-vanilla and fruit accents.
Collector's items
The line is represented by 2 famous cognacs.
"Odesa" is made from 11-year-old spirits with the addition of older 30-year-old components. Post-bathing rest is 2 years. Main notes: flowers, chocolate, dried fruits.
"Golden Duke" is a blend of 20-year-old spirits, additionally aged in French oak barrels from 3 to 20 years.
It has a soft, delicate, refined bouquet. Goes well with fruit and white grapes.
In addition to the classic version, the aged versions are available in a gift box and wooden caskets.
Chocolatier
A line of original 30% strength cognac-chocolate digestifs, declared as a ladies' drink, but popular among men as well.
Includes 3 types of products: "Chocolate and cherry", "Chocolate and citron", "Chocolate and vanilla".
Recommended as a hotel dessert or an addition to cakes, eclairs, ice cream, chocolate.
The "Shustoff 150" line, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Shustovy Trading House, is a separate series. It is made by distilling selected wine materials and aging the resulting alcohols in oak barrels for at least 1 year with the addition of older alcohols to improve the bouquet.
It has an amber-honey hue, fresh aroma with tones of grape seed and vanilla, and a long, elegant aftertaste with a chocolate accent. Good as a digestif and a base for a cocktail on the rocks.
Interesting facts
The main victory of the Shustov brand was the awarding of the Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900.
As a result, the company's products were given the right to be called "cognac" (similar to French drinks), rather than "brandy".
In addition to the famous vodkas and cognacs, the assortment of Shustov distilleries included original tinctures, liqueurs and liqueurs.
It is said that their recipe was given to Nikolai Shustov by his father Leonty Arkhipovich. Flavored drinks with unusual names (Zubrivka, Riga Balsam, Spotikach, Yerofeich, Zapekanka, Nectarine, Rowan on Cognac, etc.).) are in demand to this day.
Rowan tincture was once considered the signature drink of the Shustov House and was sold in all stores of the chain.
In addition to the loud restaurant "performance", the company owners used other ways to promote their products.
Shustov alcohol was actively advertised in periodicals, not in the tabloid press, but in official newspapers.
There is a legend that one of the Moscow actresses unobtrusively promoted the brand, mentioning it during performances.
Particular attention was paid to transportation advertising: posters of cognacs with Shustov's signature "bell" were decorated on horse-drawn carriages, sides of steamers, the first trams and even airships...
The first cognac produced at the OKZ in the postwar period (1947) was named Three Stars.
Among the admirers of Shostakovich's products were: Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie and Frank Sinatra.
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the company (2013), a museum of cognac business was opened at the OKZ. Л. Shustova is one of the largest in its industry.
And in 2015, the plant released a series of cognacs dedicated to famous Odessans.
Update: 08.07.2019
Category: Brandy and Cognac