The Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory was founded in 1877 by the merchant Nerses Tairyan on the former Erivan Fortress grounds above the left bank of the Hrazdan, and its current complex dates from 1938 to a design by the architect Rafael Israelyan. It produces the NOY, Araspel and Erivan Fortress brandy brands plus whisky, exports to the CIS, Europe, the United States and Australia, and runs a museum on site. It is owned by Multi Group Concern.