Hine Antique Xo Premier Cru Cognac
The Hine Antique XO Premier Cru Cognac won’t set you back a house payment, but it’s a reasonable splurge at $299. The brandy is a blend of about 40 eaux-de-vie made from Champagne grapes, and it has notes of nutmeg, jasmine, and caramel. This isn’t a mixing Cognac, it’s a sipping brandy. Enjoy it neat, warmed simply by your hands holding the glass for best enjoyment. It’s the perfect sipping cognac. Its report card notes would read “smooth and flavorful” and “a pleasure to have in glass.” Don’t mix with others, though. It’s too good for that.
Darroze 40 Year Les Grand Assemblages
Average Price: Roughly $189.99
Why We Like It:
Darroze 40 Year Les Grand Assemblages is an Armagnac, a delicious brandy with a richer, more textural, and rustic than cognacs.
This brandy goes through a single distillation in a simple column still.
Moreso, this 40-year-old Les Grand Armagnac comes with a fruity, nutty, citrusy, rich flavor, along with a smooth finish. You can have this amazing brandy at roughly less than $200 a bottle.
Best Brandy Brands With Irresistible Taste
There’s a delicious brandy for everyone, whether you sip it neat or mix it in cocktails. These tempting brandies prove that.
Karen is a wine, cocktails, and food enthusiast. She holds a California Wine Appellation Specialist certificate from the San Francisco wine school and a Bar Smarts mixology certificate and bartends for charitable events.
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My first association with brandy was as something Saint Bernard dogs carried in barrels around their necks as they rescued people. Then, I grew up and discovered wine and mixology. From there, I realized brandy was so much more than something to keep you warm on a chilly night. Just like my journey, there’s a world of brandy waiting for you, too, from classic French Cognac and Armagnac to delicious fruit-flavored brandies. Our best brandy picks are a combination of quality and price, and there’s a little something for everyone, regardless of your brandy preference or knowledge.
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Caravedo Mosto Verde Pisco
I’m admittedly not a huge pisco fan, but I do like a good pisco sour from time to time, and the Caravedo Mosto Verde Pisco makes an excellent pisco sour. It’s a clean, Peruvian-style pisco that adds nice spice, earth, and fruit notes to the cocktail with a little funky extra. It blends beautifully with the traditional sweet and sour ingredients. Expect to pay around $45 for a bottle.
The 12 Best Brandy To Drink In 2022
Assorted wine bottles on racks indoors photo
Brandy is a distilled liquor with a rich history spanning hundreds of years. Favored by casual drinkers and premium liquor enthusiasts alike, itâs divided into two categories, Cognac and brandies. Cognac describes a brandy made in the Cognac region of France, while âbrandiesâ refers to the drink as itâs made everywhere else.
This liquor has many brands to choose from, to the point where the options are overwhelming. If you find yourself struggling to select a bottle and youâre new to this smooth beverage, here is the best brandy to buy next time you want to fill your snifter glass and savor a drink to take the edge off.
ABV: 40%
Region: France
Enjoy the finer things in life with this world-class best Cognac delivered straight to your door. Hennessy VS Cognac is 80-proof and bold and robust. Its aged oak flavor with fruity notes is ideal for both enjoying straight up or mixed in your fanciest cocktail like a sidecar or an old fashioned. Go easy â this very special Cognac boasts an alcohol by volume of 40%.
ABV: 40%
Region: France
Enjoy ripe and melony aromas and subtle hints of walnut and buttercream in a sensational nutty bouquet. Martellâs Cognac is an award-winner, scoring double gold and silver medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The XO Cognacâs smooth texture means itâs one of the best brandies for beginners and perfect for drinking on the rocks.
ABV: 40%
Region: France
ABV: 40%
ABV: 40%
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Best Overall: Philbert Rare Cask Sherry Finish
Region: Cognac, France | ABV: 41.5% | Tasting Notes: Toasted almonds, Orange blossom, Tropical fruit finish
I prefer cognacs that have no additives, or at least used judiciously, to let the true artistry of the cellar master and the integrity of the distillate shine, says Marshall.
This is one such bottle whose flavor profile impresses her. Philbert’s rare cask finish cognac is the handiwork of brothers Xavier and Pierre-Olivier Précigout, who Marshall describes as grower-producers striving to innovate by making eaux-de-vie their own way. They were the first in the Cognac region to age their eaux-de-vie in sherry casks, and the oloroso barrels add nutty, cherry-rich roundness to their excellent, terroir-driven brandy. They also have a sauternes-cask finish thats worth seeking out as well, says Marshall.
Cedar Ridge Apple Brandy
Made at Iowas first micro-distillery, where they also produce whiskey, rum, and gin, this is a classically warm, fruity apple brandy. Fermented and distilled twice aged for three years in American and finished in French Limousin Oak casks, a balance of round fleshy apple sweetness balanced by spicy, drying oak, vanilla, and a 40% ABV warmth.
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Best Brandy For A Splurge
Elegant and complex, the Hennessy X.O Cognac Brandy comes with a hefty price tag. According to brandy connoisseurs, however, the pour is worth every dollar. Let’s face it: there are much worse things to do with a spare $215 than indulge in one of the finest sippers in the world. Crafted in 1870, the iconic expression was the first-ever X.O, or extra old, Cognac. Today, it’s a category that is ubiquitous in brandy circles. Its stunning decanter, which pays tribute to the shape of grape bunches, was designed in 1947 .
The Hennessy X.O Cognac journey begins with aromas of raisins, prunes, leather, and caramel-soaked orange. The sleek palate blends flavors of toasted nuts, cocoa, oak, and cinnamon. The long finale is characterized by sultanas and baking spices . One Master of Malt reviewer has commented on Hennessy X.O’s velvety slickness, saying that the pour is “deliciously smooth and warming without the sharp hit at the back of the throat that you get with some cheaper Cognacs.”
Purchase the Hennessy X.O Cognac Brandy from Drizly starting at $213.99
Which Is The Most Famous Brandy
There isnt one single brandy that can be declared as the most famous brandy, as there are many producers and brands, each of them having its own audience and famous among its regular consumers.
Singling out one brand as the most famous would be inaccurate, as some may have never heard of it and know everything about another one.
Therefore, I will mention a few of the most famous brandy brands. Old Kenisberg and Courvoisier are very well-known among the cognac lovers. Torres is famous among those who love playful and versatile brandies.
Paul Mason and Martell are beloved by those who love aged and smooth brandies, and Old Admiral and Emperador are famous among those who love strong and sharp spirits with a strong and warm burn.
In summation, there are at least 20 world-known high-quality brandy brands, each appealing to a different customer profile but equally exquisite, nevertheless.
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Philbert Rare Cask Sherry Finish And Hennessy Xo Are The Winners
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Best South American: Singani 63 at Drizly
Produced by a family that has been distilling since 1530, the brandys base is the aromatic muscat of Alexandria grape, grown high up in the Andes and naturally fermented for a wildly perfumed nose.
Brandy, put simply, is a spirit distilled from fruit. And, like most major categories of spirits, there are a variety of different styles to choose from. From unaged eaux-de-vie to the long-aged Armagnacs and cognacs, the production methods, flavor profiles, provenances and base materials are so varied, says certified cognac expert Ms. Franky Marshall. Id say its the most diverse category out there.”
For general parameters, think seasonally: In winter, you might want to cozy up to a brandy with some age and a fuller body whereas the summer months might call for something youthful, lively and more floral, says Marshall.
Our top picks are the Philbert Rare Cask Sherry Finish and Hennessy X.O. because the former has a rich flavor with little to no additives and the latter has a rich flavor that’s great over ice or in a snifter.
With bottles from artisan producers to world-renowned brands, here are the best brandies to drink right now.
Review: Christian Brothers Sacred Bond Brandy Bottle
The bonded spirits almost always finds a home with whiskey . But theres no rule that other liquor products cant go through the bonding process, which involves storing the product in barrel in a special, government-regulated warehouse for at least four years, and bottling the finished product at 100 proof. The bottled-in-bond seal is a mark of quality, and everyone seems to love a BiB whiskey.
So how about a bottled-in-bond brandy? Christian Brothers just launched one: Sacred Bond , a pot-distilled brandy that goes through the full rigmarole. Its the first ever bottled-in-bond grape brandy produced .
Those used to sticky-sweet brandy wont find it here. Sacred Bond is distinctly oaky on the nose, with curious notes of apple peels, salted caramel, strong tea, and just a hint of raisin. The palate is striking and unexpected. Again, any sense of sugar is nearly absent here, the brandy pumping out woody tannins, menthol, and some hospital notes. The impact of wood is so strong that my hands want to type whiskey every time I have to write brandy, but the follow-up notes of cayenne, plum, and saffron are entirely unique and far away from the typical whiskey character list. The finish is drying, spicy, and aromatic, but its a bit rough on the back of the throat, something I dont chalk up entirely to the alcohol level.
100 proof.
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Mastering The Art Of Making A Delicious Brandy Alexander
A Brandy Alexander is a classic and timeless drink that is perfect for any occasion. This delicious concoction combines brandy, crème de cacao, and cream to create a smooth and creamy cocktail. The Brandy Alexander has been around since at least the early 1920s, and its popularity has continued to this day.
The main ingredient in a Brandy Alexander is brandy. Brandy is a spirit made from distilling wine. It can be produced from grape wines or other fruits, such as apples or cherries. The most popular brandy for making a Brandy Alexander is cognac, which is produced in France from Ugni Blanc grapes. When choosing your brandy for this cocktail, look for one that has been aged for at least three years in oak barrels.
The next ingredient in the Brandy Alexander is crème de cacao. This liqueur adds sweetness and complexity to the drink without overpowering it. Crème de cacao can be either clear or dark the dark version will give your cocktail a richer flavor while the clear version will have less of an impact on the end result.
Finally, cream rounds out this classic drink. Heavy cream or half-and-half are both excellent choices however, some recipes call for lighter alternatives such as milk or even egg whites to give the finished product more body and texture.
Whether Your Drinks Budget Is Under 30 Or Over 100 This Is The Best Brandy In Every Category
Brandy may have an old-fashioned image, but its growing in popularity with the younger generation. Its a broader church than you probably realise too: while most brandy is made from grapes, it comes in a wide range of varieties, with different styles and flavours, and there are fruit brandies too.
So, whether you want to sip your brandy after dinner or mix it in cocktails, read on to discover the most flavoursome and fantastic options available from all around the globe. Check out our buyers guide too, to learn more about what brandy is, where it comes from and what are the most common types.
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What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Brandy
In most cultures, brandy has been widely regarded as a beverage with potent medicinal qualities. Indeed, most varieties were used as a remedy for various ailments.
You may have noticed that it was the drink of choice in old films to calm nerves or steady a shaking hand. Furthermore, many Anglosaxon households used to keep a bottle of brandy in a cupboard for when feeling unwell.
Wine brandy may indeed offer some health benefits. Thanks to a decent concentration of antioxidants, it could improve heart and blood circulation as well as protect against either gallstones or type 2 diabetes.
The most effective will likely be grappa as 95% of a grapes nutrients are found in the skin rather than the juice. Following that, Armagnac is only distilled once so it will preserve more of the fruits benefits. Finally, cognac can help but the double distillation process may strip away some of the valuable nutrients.
Otherwise, the health benefits of most varieties of brandy tend to be greatly exaggerated.
Ciroc Vs French Brandy Taste 1
Average Price:$30
The Brandy:
Ciroc is a French Brandy being that its not made in Cognac. The distillate is made from French grapes and follows classic French brandy traditions otherwise from fermentation to distillation to aging.
Bottom Line:
Maybe its because this was the first taste, but this was pretty drinkable neat. It was straightforward and had a nice balance of flavors.
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Copper & Kings Butchertown
Cooper & Kings has a pretty solid lineup, including an aged American brandy, an unaged immature brandy, and this power-packed bottle. Copper-pot distilled and aged in both bourbon and new American oak barrels, its got a whiskey quality to it overlaid by hints of dark fruit and subtly spicy, drying oak on the finish. Slightly higher price tag, but its a special kind of brandyand at 62% ABV, is meant to be sipped.
Clear Creek Pear Eau De Vie
A well-made pear brandy is a thing of beautycapturing all the floral, nectary essence of a ripe pear. And Clear Creek knows what theyre doingtheyve been at it in the Pacific Northwest for 30 yearswhich is no doubt why their pear eau de vie is so well received and reviewed. Made with locally grown Bartlett pears and distilled in German-made pot stills, theres plenty of lush body in a still pure, green fruit expression. The pear in the bottle variant will cost close to double, a great option for a gift .
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What Do Those Letters On The Bottle Mean
You’ll notice that Cognac bottles tend to be adorned with an entire alphabet’s worth of letters. What do they mean? VS means “Very Special,” and that the Cognac has been aged for the two-year minimum under the law. VSOP, or “Very Superior Old Pale,” means that the youngest spirit in the blend of brandies is at least four years of age. XO, or “Extra Old,” tells you that, within the blend of brandies comprising that particular Cognac, the youngest has been aged for at least 10 years.
Best South American: Singani 63
Region: Bolivia | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White flowers, Fresh fruit, Herbal, Bright
In South American brandy, theres a battle between Peruvian and Chilean pisco, says Desoblin. But for something unique, he prefers singani, a spirit from Bolivia. Produced by a family that has been distilling since 1530, the brandys base is the aromatic muscat of Alexandria grape, grown high up in the Andes and naturally fermented for a wildly perfumed nose. Its twice-distilled in copper pots, as in Cognac, then rested in stainless steel for eight months where it mellows.
This line of singani in particular was created by filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. Fruity and exuberant with a nose of white flowers, it makes great cocktails, says Desoblin. Swap it in for the pisco in a pisco sour.
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What Is The Difference Between Cognac And Brandy
What is brandy? By definition, brandy is any spirit distilled from the juice of a fruit. There are many examples of brandy distilled from wine, making them a unique expression of specific grapes. Still, plenty of brandy is distilled from the juice of other fruits, including apples , blackberry brandy, and plum brandy slivovitz), Poire Williams, which is made from pears, and many excellent others. The most noted brandy is Cognac, yet many people remain unclear on what it exactly is. So: What is Cognac? And what is Cognac made from? Cognac is a brandy produced in the Cognac region of France, where wine made from Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche grapes is distilled twice, always in copper pot stills, and aged for at least two years in barrels made of French oak.
How To Drink Brandy And Cognac
Brandy might be known as one of the original cocktail mixers but this is a spirit thats also waiting to be enjoyed neat. The first step to enjoying brandy is to drink it at room temperature. As an aromatic spirit, its best enjoyed at optimum temperature to really bring out the varieties of flavors and aromas.
To drink brandy the classic way, leave the bottle on the counter for around an hour before drinking and then pour it into a tulip glass the best glass used to savor the spirit. Its bowl and rim shape is specially designed to allow the spirit to hit the correct part of your tongue while delivering the aromas straight to your nose.
Hold the bowl of the glass in your hand to gently warm the liquid, before sniffing from above the rim of the glass. Then, take small sips of brandy, allowing it to roll around your mouth before swallowing. High-quality brandies and cognacs can be sipped neat and are best enjoyed that way, while a value brandy is the perfect accompaniment to classic cocktails like the Sidecar.
Some people choose to heat their brandy slightly with a candle, by holding the bowl of the glass above a small candle for a moment or two. However, its easy to overheat the liquid this way, exposing the harsh alcohol fumes.
In comparison to many other spirits, brandy doesnt go off. An unopened bottle can keep indefinitely as long as its stored properly: a tightly sealed container, away from heat or light.
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