Listed here are the brandies and Cognacs that GSN recommends this vacation season. Replenish for present giving or having readily available for cocktails.
Sazerac de Forge & Fils “Best Unique” Cognac – Energetic, fruity, and considerably natural, with notes of fragrant flowers on the nostril. The flavour is wealthy, full and has a deep and considerably rustic character that brings out the grape character expressively. Fairly not like the standard cognacs accessible in North America, this one has a singular character that may solely be described as intriguingly terroir pushed. To completely respect this spirit, let it breathe a bit earlier than imbibing. A very particular launch that recreates a taste that was till lately, unavailable to all however a fortunate few. GSN Score: A++
HINE Cigar Reserve XO Cognac – A darkish, wealthy, grape spirit infused with oak, perky spice excessive notes and heat nutty low notes. The breadth of flavors works excpetionally nicely with a top quality cigar. Including a bookended impact between the tannic, dry tobacco leaf, and the candy, woody cognac. The end is excpetionally lengthy, ending with a heat vanilla observe that has a familial relationship to a brand new cigar. Even if you happen to don’t smoke, that is an distinctive taste expertise. GSN Score: A+
St. George Pear Brandy – A beautiful freshly minimize pear aroma greets the nostril. Very fruit ahead taste with a spherical and considerably creamy mouthfeel. The pear character comes via loud and clear. This is without doubt one of the greatest tree fruit brandies we’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. Clearly, they know what they’re doing at St. George. We do like this as a digestif, but additionally it’s wonderful in a wide range of brandy based mostly cocktails. GSN Score: A+
Yebiga Rakija Serbian Plum Brandy – A real fruit brandy in that there’s nothing however the distilled expression within the bottle. The plum taste carries via with a lightweight stonefruit sweetness. Barely musky, considerably darkish and with a semi-creamy mouthfeel, it is a spirit begging to be utilized in a cocktail. Though, we did get pleasure from it neat as an after dinner aperitif. Effectively crafted, easy and filled with terroir, we advocate including Yebiga to your again bar. GSN Score: A
Humboldt Natural Apple Brandy – A beautiful apple nostril reminscent of contemporary pressed cider. The flavour is heat, with a mellow sweetness that retains the flavour of the fruit, whereas including a spherical and easy physique. The end is medium lengthy, with a dry and semi-tannic ending. This can be a nice spirit for sipping neat whereas having fun with creamy cheeses corresponding to Brie or Tallegio, with roasted pork loin, or alongside an apple tart for dessert. An exquisite addition to the Humboldt portfolio, and one which we’d welcome 12 months spherical. GSN Score: A-
Revanche Cognac – Usually, with a Cognac, there are specific ranges of high quality starting from VS, VSOP and XO. With Revanche, these are all blended collectively, which makes for a singular taste expertise. A lightweight, but wealthy Cognac with loads of caramel, vanilla, and grape notes. That is a simple ingesting and easy spirit, that has the tough edges smoothed out. Tremendous to sip by itself, we additionally advocate this for the classics corresponding to a Sidecar, Between the Sheets, Vieux Carre or in a Milk Punch. Very good. GSN Score: A-
