Brandy
CoreCalifornia (USA), Jerez (Spain), South Africa, France, Australia, Peru, Chile
Famous For
1941 (Suffering Bastard)
Gin and brandy walk into a war zone. Ginger beer brings them home.
A. J.
Two ingredients. Applejack meets grapefruit and nothing else is needed.
After Dinner Cocktail
In an era when cocktails had functional names, this one told you exactly when to drink it — and a hundred years later, the advice still holds.
Tasting Notes
Cooked fruit, caramel, vanilla, baking spice, raisin, brown sugar, oak. Commercial brandy (E&J, Christian Brothers) tastes of sweet caramel and cooked grape — simple, smooth, not much complexity. Craft American brandy adds dried fruit, floral notes, nutmeg, and a longer finish. The difference between industrial and craft brandy is the difference between grape juice and wine: same starting material, different ambition.
Brand Guide
E&J, Christian Brothers ($10-15)
Paul Masson, Korbel ($15-22)
Germain-Robin (California craft), Copper & Kings ($30-45)
Osocalis, Argonaut (California craft) ($50-75). E&J moves the most volume by far — it's the well brandy of America. For quality, the California craft brandy movement (Germain-Robin, Osocalis) is producing world-class spirit that competes with Cognac at half the price