Discover the World’s Finest Brandies for Mixologists and co*cktail Aficionados
There’s plenty to love about brandy. From its variety to its versatility, it is hard to get bored ofthis aqua vitae. That’s because brandy isn’t just for sipping after dinner with your pinkies up—it is a spirit that loves to buddy up with itsco*cktail-ingredientfriends as a mixer. Seriously, brandy can easily finagle its way into any co*cktail lover’s life.
There are expertly crafted brandies from all over the world waiting to join your go-to spirits lineup. Let’s explore all the brandies you should be mixing with at your bar right now and why!
Clos Martin Armagnac XO
It is hard to resist the depth of flavor in this Armagnac. The Clos Martin Armagnac XO has 15 years of age on it, yielding those nutty and toasty aromas that make it the perfect digestif.Butthis Armagnac still carries this fragrant juiciness that makes it an alluring addition toaSidecar recipe.
Pierre Ferrand 1840 Original Formula
As far ascognac goes, Pierre Ferrand is a reliable barman’s choice. Maison Ferrand offers an array of smooth, premiumcognacs, all made with grapes from the Grande Champagne vineyards. These esteemedvineyards are considered the best of the best in cognac production, all due to their terroir. Grand Champagne’s chalky soil and maritime climate are behind the grapes that produce cognacs with more finesse.
Maison Ferrand’s 1840 Original Formula is an ode to the bartenders of the 19th century, who were the first to get creative with mixing brandy. It’s based on an age-old recipe, producing a young brandy that is bold and high proof. No matter how you incorporate it, Ferrand’s 1840 Original Formula will be a respectful ode to the history of bartending and brandy.
Larsen Aqua Ignis Cognac
This cognac is made like no other brandy, literally. Larsen Aqua Ignis Cognac ages in steam-toasted barrels, an innovative practice patented by Larsen. The result—barrels that evoke deep and complex aromas, free of any smoky bitterness, that transform this brandy into pure elegance. Of course, there’s no issue in sipping this brandy alone. But, add it to your next Old-Fashioned, and watch your bar guests swoon.
DartigalongueDry Cellar
Dartigalongueis one of the rare Armagnac Houses with “dry” cellars. Its dry cellar, located in the attics, is subject to wide temperature variations, from 104˚ in the summer to 38˚ in the winter. This produceseaux-de-vie with a pure, soft, and well-defined character.
Single distilled in a traditionalArmagnacaiscolumn still to 58%,aged a minimum of 2 years in local Gascon oak, and exclusively in a dry attic cellar, earning it the name “Dry Cellar.” The delicate aromas of vanilla, prune, and peaches, and the palate is very intense and concentrated, with marked notes of spice on the finish. Perfectbase in any co*cktail,particularly well mixed with tonic in a Highball, with Prosecco in a Spritz or as the base in a Negroni.
Argonaut Fat Thumb Brandy
American brandy has long been a thing.Butit wasn’t always appreciated. Thankfully, Argonaut out in California reminds us how American brandy is now a competitive member in the brandy world. This distillery admirably does everything ‘in-house,’ growing its own fruit all the way to aging its final distilled brandies.
Of Argonaut’sthreeexpressions, the Fat Thumb stands out as a dynamic mixing partner. It is a complex blend ofsevendifferent Alembic Pot and Coffey distilled brandies, all aged from 4 to 16 years. The result is a rich and luscious brandy with sinful spice notes. It is a friend to bold tiki co*cktails or anything with a bitter edge.
Sempé 15 Year Armagnac
Smooth and spicy,Sempéis an ode to the history of Armagnac. Its craftsmanship is clear from its color to its aromas to its graceful palatability. With a beautiful golden hue and lingering fragrance of cocoa and candied fruits, you’ll be already crafting ways to incorporate this Armagnac into your winter co*cktail recipes.
BertouxBrandy
If this is a brandy created by a bartender thenBertouxmust have some wizardly mixology science behind it, right?
Well, that’s just it. This newcomer in the American brandy game is a perfect mixing agent at an incredible price. Bertoux is a very aromatic and refreshing brandy, with stone fruit, honey, and floral aromas. These elements make Bertoux a flawless pairing for light and easy drinks. Don’t overlook adding this brandy into your repertoire of fruity or bubbly co*cktails, all year round.
Cognac Du Peyrat Organic Selection
A blend of young and lively cognacs; fresh and surprisingly round due to a special, fatty distillation process. Aromas are redolent of ripe juicy apricots with hints of tropical fruits. Rich and sweet in the mouth, flavors are pristine and focused with stone fruit, white tea, and fresh flowers. Smooth and balanced. Organic Selection is a great choice to drink on its own, but also shines as a base for co*cktails.
H by Hine VSOP Cognac
A friend of soda or a co*cktail, H by Hine is a youthful addition to this Hine’s impressive Cognac lineup.
The vitality of this VSOP is what makes it an amazing mixing brandy. It isn’t asking for sophistication, but more to be played with. You’ll notice this immediately once you get a whiff of its youthful aromas of caramel, vanilla, and orange zest.
To get a little better grasp of H by Hine’s character, Hine gives an excellent analogy for its new and vibrant cognacon their site: “H by Hine is whimsical. If it were a young man, it would have the keen eye of Dick Diver in Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night…”
Chateau D’Arton Armagnac Fine Blanche
Blanche Armagnac is one brandy that you need to be mixing with.And,ChateauD’Artonisthe O.G.when it comes to this style of Armagnac.Before Blanche Armagnac was allowed in the Armagnac appellation, ChateauD’Artoncreated their own, calling it ‘Fine Blanche.’ This white brandy is made of the same grapes asD’Arton’smatured Armagnac, which are all grown in the mineral-driven soils of the Haut-Armagnac.
Fast-forward to today, this unaged, unmatured Armagnac has shown how it is the ultimate substitute for your usual clear spirits. Mix it with tonic or make it a French Mule—you’ll love how blissfully this Blanche Armagnac suits any spritz-y drinks.
Lustau Solera Reserva Brandy
We can’t talk about brandy without mentioning Brandy de Jerez. In Spain, this brandy has long been enjoyed mixed with soda or juice.
What makes the Lustau SoleraReservaa must add to your bar is its complex flavor, coming from the aging in a solera system, traditionally used for sherry. This blending approach lendsthis brandy nutty and candied fruit aromasthat make it just irresistible when incorporated into an amaro-based co*cktail.
Never Sink Spirits Apple Brandy
Clean and crisp just like the apples that made it, Never Sink Spirits Apple Brandy is a unique addition to any bar. Sourcing their fruits only from local organic and sustainable orchards in N.Y. state, Never Sink presents us with a white brandy with fascinating character. It is fresh, green, and earthy, a zesty complement to a punch or spritz.
Cognac Monnet VS
Monnet VS cognac is masterfully blended from floral eaux-de-vie and slowly aged in Limousin oak casks for a minimum of two years. Sparkling gold in color, Monnet VS exudes aromas of fresh flowers and delicate spices with a soft touch of vanilla. On the palate, it reveals freshness and finesse, followed by a long, warm finish. Try it for a fresh and floral riff on classics.
Delord Blanche Armagnac
Blancheisa new A.O.C. (Appellation d’OrigineControlée)approvedin 2005. Itrepresentsa renaissance oftraditionalArmagnac eau-de-vierekindledby theproducers. Coming from the same Armagnac terroir, it is the result of a thousand-year-old savoir-faire of distillation.Delord’sBlanche is rich and fruity, strong, and round, and therefore can be consumed in a variety of ways: Pure, at room temperature, chilled or with an ice cube, just so you can appreciate the true beautiful flavors and roundness. With caviar, smokedfishand numerous desserts such as lemon tart, key lime pie, tart Tatin and lemon sabayon. In a variety of co*cktails: it marries well with citrus flavors, red berries, kiwi, and chocolate. UseDelordBlanche as a replacement for vodka in any co*cktail to add a depth of flavor.
