N.L. Shustov Cognac Museum

The N.L. Shustov Cognac Museum is a hidden gem in Ukraine for cognac lovers. We were pleasantly surprised to discover a great cognac producer in the country. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by the delightful aroma of cognac in the air as the bartender poured different varieties for a tasting group. Even though we didn't have an appointment, the guide still took the time to talk to us and explain how Shustov is able to use the term "cognac" in its branding. My husband had the opportunity to taste a 50-year-old cognac and he absolutely loved it! What impressed us even more was the affordability of Shustov compared to French cognac. We ended up purchasing a 40-year-old and a 20-year-old cognac to take home. It was truly a great experience. We opted for the VIP tour, which included a tasting of various cognacs. It was incredibly interesting and we learned a lot of useful information. We highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in cognac. Be prepared to spend at least 2.5 hours there. While booking in advance is recommended, it is not mandatory. Overall, the N.L. Shustov Cognac Museum is a fantastic place to visit, especially for those who appreciate cognac and brandy. The guide will provide honest insights into the differences between them and allow you to taste some exceptional and aged Shustov branded Ukrainian cognac. The museum is definitely worth a visit, although we did find the guide to be a bit incompetent, which made the excursion a bit boring. Unfortunately, the degustation experience did not include any snacks. It is advisable to avoid driving to the museum due to certain reasons. I would have given this place a 5-star rating, but I have a few reasons for giving it 4 stars. First of all, the museum is a "must-see" for all cognac lovers. The degustation tour is incredibly interesting, especially for those who didn't know that Ukraine and Odessa produce their own "brandywine" and have permission to call it Cognac. The only downside of the tour was the female guide. She was nice, but she spoke very fast with a strange accent and in a mechanical manner that made it nearly impossible to understand her. We had to ask her to slow down, but she completely ignored our request. Even my wife, who has a better understanding of English, struggled to comprehend what the guide was saying. If the museum could improve the English skills of this guide and have her speak at a slower pace, it would definitely deserve a 5+ star rating. Our trip to the N.L. Shustov Cognac Museum was very enjoyable. The cognac was delicious, but unfortunately, we were not allowed to bring 100ml of Shustov Cognac home as a souvenir. It was a shame to see the best souvenir being confiscated at the airport. We had an excellent personal tour of the museum in April 2019. The information provided was interesting, and the tastings were great. The museum is located in the southern part of Odessa, just a short taxi ride away from downtown.