Brandy/Cognac
Brandy is a spirit distilled from a fermented fruit source, most commonly grapes. It is essentially distilled wine (whereas whiskey is essentially distilled beer). The word ‘brandy’ actually derives from the Dutch word ‘brandewijn’ which means ‘burnt wine.’ When made from other fruits, it is often called ‘eau-de-vie’ which means ‘water of life’ in French.
The most popular grape brandy is cognac, made from grapes grown in the Cognac region of France, near Bordeaux. The most common grape used is Ugni Blanc, though small proportions of Folle Blanche and Colombard are also used. Much like wine regions of France, different vineyard areas are classified based on the purity of their chalky, limestone content. Grape pricing (and thus spirit pricing) is based on the location of the grapes origin. In descending order, the sub-regions of the Cognac AOC are: Grande Champagne, Petit Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois & Bois Ordinaire. Cognacs made with grapes from Grande Champagne and/or Petit Champagne may be referred to as ‘Fine Champagne.’ The reference to Champagne relates to the similarly chalky soil.
According to French AOC laws, all cognac must be double distilled in a copper pot still known as a Charentais or alembic still. It is then aged for at least two years in French oak from the Limousin forest. Typically, longer aging implies higher quality and demands a higher price. The different levels of aging are:
Cognac Brands:
Ferrand 1840 Original: juicy grape and floral notes with honey and spice on the finished. Designed to be similar to the styles of Cognac made pre-phylloxera (a vine louse that decimated vineyards all over Europe in the 1860s).
Hennessy ‘Priviledge’ VSOP: Originally made for King George IV of England in 1817, Privilege is known for being exceptionally smooth with aromas of honey, vanilla, caramel and cinnamon.
Remy Martin XO: complex aromas of vanilla, brioche and orange peel give way to a long, unique finish. Due to the extended aging, this Cognac is much darker in color.
Other grape based brandies include Metaxa (Greece), Pisco (Chile/Peru) and Armagnac (France), which is similar to Cognac but is only single distilled in a column still and typically doesn’t have the same polish as its neighbor. Pommace brandies are made from the used grape skins, seeds and stems after they have been pressed to make wine. They are clear and unaged. The best known examples are known as ‘marc’ in France and ‘grappa’ in Italy.
Spanish Brandy
El Maestro Sierra, Brandy Reserva: a very special solera-aged brandy with a mínimum age of 20 years. Dense and complex in flavor with aromas of toffee, molasses and tobacco.
Pisco
Encanto Pisco (Peru): vibrant, unaged brandy made from sustainably grown grapes. Aromas of plum, honeysuckle and almonds.
Non-grape brandies include Applejack and Calvados (both made from apples), as well as a variety of eau-de-vie.
Brandy is a spirit distilled from a fermented fruit source, most commonly grapes. It is essentially distilled wine (whereas whiskey is essentially distilled beer). The word ‘brandy’ actually derives from the Dutch word ‘brandewijn’ which means ‘burnt wine.’ When made from other fruits, it is often called ‘eau-de-vie’ which means ‘water of life’ in French.
The most popular grape brandy is cognac, made from grapes grown in the Cognac region of France, near Bordeaux. The most common grape used is Ugni Blanc, though small proportions of Folle Blanche and Colombard are also used. Much like wine regions of France, different vineyard areas are classified based on the purity of their chalky, limestone content. Grape pricing (and thus spirit pricing) is based on the location of the grapes origin. In descending order, the sub-regions of the Cognac AOC are: Grande Champagne, Petit Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois & Bois Ordinaire. Cognacs made with grapes from Grande Champagne and/or Petit Champagne may be referred to as ‘Fine Champagne.’ The reference to Champagne relates to the similarly chalky soil.
According to French AOC laws, all cognac must be double distilled in a copper pot still known as a Charentais or alembic still. It is then aged for at least two years in French oak from the Limousin forest. Typically, longer aging implies higher quality and demands a higher price. The different levels of aging are:
- VS (very special) aka ‘Three Star’ ***, youngest brandy in the blend at least two years old.
- VSOP (very special old pale), youngest brandy in the blend at least four years old, though the average is typically much greater.
- XO (extra old), youngest brandy in the blend at least six years old, though the average is usually close to 20 years. In 2016, minimum aging will be 10 years.
Cognac Brands:
Ferrand 1840 Original: juicy grape and floral notes with honey and spice on the finished. Designed to be similar to the styles of Cognac made pre-phylloxera (a vine louse that decimated vineyards all over Europe in the 1860s).
Hennessy ‘Priviledge’ VSOP: Originally made for King George IV of England in 1817, Privilege is known for being exceptionally smooth with aromas of honey, vanilla, caramel and cinnamon.
Remy Martin XO: complex aromas of vanilla, brioche and orange peel give way to a long, unique finish. Due to the extended aging, this Cognac is much darker in color.
Other grape based brandies include Metaxa (Greece), Pisco (Chile/Peru) and Armagnac (France), which is similar to Cognac but is only single distilled in a column still and typically doesn’t have the same polish as its neighbor. Pommace brandies are made from the used grape skins, seeds and stems after they have been pressed to make wine. They are clear and unaged. The best known examples are known as ‘marc’ in France and ‘grappa’ in Italy.
Spanish Brandy
El Maestro Sierra, Brandy Reserva: a very special solera-aged brandy with a mínimum age of 20 years. Dense and complex in flavor with aromas of toffee, molasses and tobacco.
Pisco
Encanto Pisco (Peru): vibrant, unaged brandy made from sustainably grown grapes. Aromas of plum, honeysuckle and almonds.
Non-grape brandies include Applejack and Calvados (both made from apples), as well as a variety of eau-de-vie.