What Is Brandy Made From
Brandy is derived from the Dutch word brandewijn, which means burned wine.
Traditionally, brandy is made from grapes however, it can also be made from other fruits.
The two categories of Brandy, based on the other fruits constituents, are:
- Pome Brandy: Pome brandy is made with fruits like pears and apples.
- Stone fruit Brandy: Stone fruit brandy is made with cherries, plums, peaches, and apricots.
All categories of Brandy are made from fermenting natural fruit sugars to alcohol.
The alcohol is distilled, after which they are soaked in aged Oak barrels where they pick up their mellow, luxurious oak undertones.
Is One Better Than The Other
So, as you can see there are some major differences between Cognac and Whiskey. But is one better than the other? Well, thats something that can only be decided by you. We, of course, are biased towards Cognac, as you can read here. But if forced, well taste the occasional Whisky , it has to be said. In fact, we dont think you have to be a Cognac person, or a Whiskey person. You can simply enjoy the best of both. Well be shot down in flames by many for that comment, were sure.
The Big Difference In Cognacvswhiskey Is The Base Product Being Distilled Cognac Is A Brandy Made From Grapes Essentially A Distilled Wine Only Brandy Made In The Cognac Region Of France May Be Called A Cognac Cognac’s Appellation Of Origin Regulates Everything From Which Grapes Can Be Used And Where They’re Grown To How They’re Shop Binnys For The Best Brandy Selection In The Midwest Find Brandy Values Brandy On Sale Rare Brandy And Highly Rated Brandy Including Cognac Armagnac American Brandy Spanish Brandy Brandy De Jerez Greek Brandy German Brandy Eau De Vie Calvados Grappa Ue Pisco Applejack Marc Slivovitz Mexican Brandy Armenian Brandy Aguardiente S Cognac For Whisky Lovers To Try Bache
- Canadian whisky has a reputation for being lighter and smoother than most other whiskies. Many producers triple-distill and then blend their whiskies with rye, corn, or other grains to cultivate flavor giving it the light, smooth taste sippers love. Youll taste notes of vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, and rye or corn qualities showcased.
- Answer : I’ll try to add a framework around my answer to help put things in context. There are really four major steps to making spirits. : 1. Sourcing the initial ingredient. 2. Fermenting the sourced material …
- One of the differences between brandyvs whisky glasses is that the whisky glass is much thicker than the glass of brandy. This is because sometimes whiskey is served over ice. The best whisky glasses are the ones that have a lot of room for the whisky to move around and breathe. The brandy snifter for example is designed with two purposes in …
- Having received news that Hermitage Single Estate Cognacs won four GOLD Medals or better at IWSC 2021 we have just found out that the Hermitage 50 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac also won The Cognac Trophy. Scoring 99 points the judges commented: “Like opening an old leather-bound book or antique oak armoire.
- LE REVISEUR COGNAC VS 750ML. $39.99. PRESIDENTE BRANDY 750ML. $19.99. PAUL MASSON GRAN AMBER VSOP BRANDY 1.75ML. $30.99. PAUL MASSON VS BRANDY 750ML. $12.99. MARTELL CORDON BLEU GRAND CLASSIC COGNAC 750ML.
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Seek Out These Smaller Craft Producers
The biggest Cognac brands endorsed by musicians, actors, and athletes have inundated us with commercials over the last decade. Hennessy, Remy Martin, Courvoisier, and Martell account for over 80 percent of sales in the United States . But beyond these Big Four are smaller houses that are only known in the U.S. amongst connoisseurs and bartenders and to many of these educated few, their stuff is even better than the big guys! Here are five to get to know:
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Take Your Damned Time With It
While today’s smartphone culture values instant gratification above all else, Cognac is and always has been all about patience: it takes time to produce, and time to appreciate. Slow down! Pour yourself a glass of “XO” Cognac and take your time with it. Think about what it smells and tastes like, and what went into making it. When sipped meditatively, Cognac can bring us some much-needed peace and sanity in a far-too-fast-paced world.
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Armagnac Vs Cognac : The Aging
When they leave the still, Armagnac and Cognac brandies are stored in oak barrels. The principles of aging are similar. Armagnac and Cognac evolve in new or old barrels, alternating between dry and wet cellars. During the aging process, exchanges take place between the oak and the brandy, developing the aromas and allowing the natural coloring.
While Armagnac comes out of the still at 56° of alcohol, Cognac comes out at 72° of alcohol. However, both are consumed at 45° alcohol. The natural evaporation of alcohol during the aging process allows Armagnac to slowly tend towards its 40-45° when sold, with a slight addition of distilled water when necessary. Some Armagnacs, known as cask strength, are made without the addition of water. Cognac is gradually diluted with distilled or demineralized water to reach its 40-45° for sale.
The aging of Armagnac highlights the living wine still present in the brandy. The influence of the wood is monitored so that it does not overpower the natural aromatic power of the wine. On the contrary, the aging of Cognac, like that of Whiskey, is centered on the aging of the wood aromas.
The Cellar Master defines the maturation period of the brandy, leading them through their aging to the flavors that determine their signature.
Once bottled, Armagnac and Cognac cease to age.
Final Thoughts On Brandy And Whiskey
When it comes to considering brandy versus whiskey, both spirits have a lot to offer in different ways. They both are sippable and mixable, and they both have interesting histories and evolutions, which is always fun to learn about!
My best advice for finding a good brandy is to trust the price tag. If its really inexpensive, it might be a poorly crafted product. In the case of both whiskey and brandy, starting around the thirty-dollar and up price range will get you something solid that you can sip on and mix with confidently.
What I really want you to walk away with from this article is that both brandy and whiskey have their place on your home bar and in your heart. If youve dismissed either because of preconceived notions, I encourage you to try a few before you make up your mind.
Cheers to brandy and cheers to whiskey! Happy tasting!
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While whiskey has deep roots that are intricately tied in with American history, brandy is a little more obscure. People tend to think of it as a fancy sipping drink, something their parents had after dinner instead of dessert.
But the fact is that while the two spirits are unique, they both have interesting backgrounds and evolutions, and they both have their place on bars, whether its in your home or at your local watering hole.
So lets take a look at what exactly whiskey and brandy are, how they are similar and different, and why they belong on our shelves and in our hearts.
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Armagnac Vs Cognac : #armagnacisnotbrandy
Armagnac seems to be part of the brandy culture. I think it is part of the wine culture. Patrick de Montal
Armagnac is the spirit closest to wine. It is the only spirit that can truly magnify with age because it preserves the living organic matter of the fresh wine from which it is made. This particularity gives Armagnac a real singularity, that of being able to evolve over time like a great wine.
This living brandy reflects the expression of a year. This is why Armagnac is the only brandy that can fully justify the vintage. Its aging contributes to give it a unique complexity. This is what links it to the culture of wine and distinguishes it from other brandies, burnt brandies , or dead brandies .
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Brief History Of Bourbon
It is believed that the process of distillation was brought to Kentucky by the Scots and Scots-Irish settlers sometime in the 18th century. They began to farm the area earnestly alongside English, German, French, and Welsh settlers.
Now the origin of bourbon is not adequately documented, and this is probably because of the conflicting claims and legends that are rife in the community.
Nevertheless, one thing is sure Bourbon has come to stay, and it is not going anywhere any time soon.
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Whiskey Bourbon & Scotch Whats The Difference
Whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash. The main grain varieties used are wheat, rye, barley, and corn. After whiskey is distilled it is then aged in wooden barrels. Whiskey is made all over the world with the most popular being Scotland, Ireland, Canada, & America. Again, all Bourbon is Whiskey, but not all Whiskey is Bourbon. In the late 1800s laws put specifications in place that regulated what you could call Bourbon & what would be called Whiskey.
Distilled In Pot Stills
Traditionally, brandy is distilled using large pot stills, which is the same kind of still used to produce the best Scotch whiskies. Some modern brandies still use this distillation technique, however, most use a more industrial process that can make use of continuous or semi-continuous stills. This makes it easier for brandy producers to produce a high-quality product reliably.
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Is Cognac A Type Of Whiskey
The answer to this is No. Cognac is not a whiskey. Cognac is made of grapes, and whiskey is made of grains like barley and corn, which makes it different from Cognac. However, Cognac is a type of brandy that can only be made in France.
This type of brandy can only be made in cognac, the southwestern region of France. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that can only be made in the USA.
Both whiskey and cognac have clear and strict rules for making. These are some of the rules for making whiskey in the US. The rules for making whiskey are a bit simpler to follow, unlike stricter cognac rules. The French government, through AOC, has set out some rules and standards for making cognac in the county.
These rules have been here for centuries and have forever dictated the ingredients used in making cognac, its maturity, and labeling. The rules also influence what can be placed on wines, cognac, and other beverages produced in the country.
You want to be more careful the next time you are unboxing a bottle of Chablis or Bordeaux you should look for the AOC seal. This is one way of finding out if the drink is original cognac from France.
Armagnac Vs Cognac : Age Counts
Cognac is a blend of brandy of different ages. Its label indicates the aging period of the youngest brandy used in the blend.
Cognacs are classified by age of aging according to standardized terms controlled by the BNIC :
- VS : at least 2 years of aging in wood
- Superior : at least 3 years of aging in wood
- VSOP : at least 4 years of aging in wood
- Vieille Réserve : at least 5 years of aging in wood
- Napoleon : at least 6 years of aging in wood
- XO : at least 10 years of aging in wood
Behind these acronyms, however, are the specific aging characteristics of each producer.
Armagnacs, which can be blended or vintage, are not subject to the age count standards like Cognac. And for good reason!
- Like Cognac, Armagnac can be made from a blend of brandy of different ages. Its label then indicates an age count which attests to the duration of aging of the youngest brandy in the composition of the blend. This similarity with Cognac explains why some Armagnac houses choose to borrow the names of Cognac for their blends, a practice tolerated by the BNIA .
The selection of these Unique Pieces is rigorous and demanding and follows a meticulous tasting process that lasts 10 years.
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What Other Types Of Brandy Are There
Youve probably heard of grappa, another grape-based brandy made from leftover wine thats generally associated with Italy, and pisco, a clear brandy that hails from Peru. But theres also calvados, an apple brandy from France, and armagnac, another grape brandy from France. Long live the French and their dedication to the art of fermented fruit juices!
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Armagnac Vs Cognac : Two French Brandies Two Histories
Armagnac is the oldest French brandy! Its production is attested to since 1310 when its therapeutic virtues were praised by the prior of the town of Eauze. Within a century, this apothecarys remedy became a marvelous drink appreciated for its gustatory qualities, a precious brandy produced alongside the regions wine production.
Cognac has a very different historical trajectory, which influences its current reputation. While Armagnac was developed on a French consumption model, Cognac was established on an export model to the Netherlands and England. In the 16th century, while the English controlled the Bordeaux region, Charente wine was exported by the Dutch to Northern Europe from the ports on the Atlantic coast . It was distilled to be preserved and travel without arriving sour at its destination. This brandy was then diluted with water to be consumed like wine. But Cognac as such only really emerged in the 18th century, with the appearance of double distillation borrowed from Whisky and aging in oak barrels. It was conceived for an export market at a time when English economic and demographic growth was causing a shortage of alcohol. Merchants from across the Atlantic set up trading companies in Cognac, specializing in the production of Charentais brandy. Under Napoleon III, a trade treaty signed between France and England boosted the export of Cognac. Today, 98% of its production is exported.
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Armagnac Vs Cognac : The Terroirs
Armagnac and Cognac are French AOC brandy, which means that they cannot be produced outside their region.
300 km separate the two territories. The Armagnac region is located in the province of Gascony . The Cognac region is located further north . The terroirs are distinguished by their soils and climate, giving the eaux-de-vie their own specific character. The Cognac soil is homogeneous, mostly limestone, while the Armagnac soil is sandy, clay-silica, and clay-limestone. The diversity of Armagnac soils, divided into three terroirs Haut-Armagnac, Ténarèze and Bas-Armagnac gives the Gascon brandy a great variety of nuances that mark its originality.
The AOC appellation requires that this brandy be produced in compliance with regulated specifications, guaranteeing their origin and authenticity.
Does Cognac Add Sugar
Hard no.
Cognac makers cannot add sugar during any step in the process. That includes during fermentation when grapes are crushed and yeast is pitched. Any sugars that made it through the distillation process would be in trace amounts and likely imperceptible to the human tongue.
If you perceive the cognac in your glass as sweet, its most likely a trick being played on your mind.
Molecules in the distilled spirit may interact with wood during maturation to create flavor compounds that could be described as sweet. If your tongue perceives sweetness when tasting a glass of cognac, these flavor compounds are most likely the source. And the viscous mouthfeel is often due to long maturation in the barrel and the loss of alcohol during the maturation process.
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The Singularity Of Cognac
Cognac is a protected place of origin, meaning it has a very specific way of making its brandy, wholly unique to its location. Distilled at least twice in copper stills, Cognac is then aged for a minimum of two years in French oak. Again, like wine, theres a perennial nature to it and the spirit-making closely follows the winemaking calendar. It begins just as the wines wrap up primary fermentation, roughly in early October in the northern hemisphere.
Many argue that its in the blending where Cognac takes on its nuanced nature and complexity of flavor. Experienced blenders will settle on an ideal harmony of flavors and let the batch integrate together for a spell prior to bottling. Per the Cognac guide above, there are several classes of the stuff, differentiated by aging times and more. There are also subregions within Cognac , six to be exact.
Three grape varieties are allowed in the production of genuine Cognac. Ugni Blanc is the most common, followed by Colombard and Folle Blanche. Theyre all white wine grapes and can offer distinctive flavors, textures, and more depending on how theyre farmed, what soils they reside in, the climate, etc. Again, its best to equate brandy, and Cognac especially, with fine wine.
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Are Brandy And Whisky The Same
Brandy and whisky are not exactly the same, even though they are both distilled spirits aged in oak barrels. Theyre made with different ingredients whisky uses dark cereal grains to create a heavier flavor, and brandy uses fermented wine or fruit, giving it a smoother mouthfeel and subtle, sweet taste.
Some similarities between brandy and whisky include:
- Heavier flavor than brandy, due to aging in charred white oak barrels
Cons
- Whisky contains more congeners
Choosing between whisky and brandy depends on personal preference. Those who prefer light, subtle flavors may lean towards brandy, whereas people into heavier, smoky notes opt for whisky. Additionally,whisky is the go-to if you prefer drinking with a meal, whereas brandy is best for an after-dinner drink.
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