in

17 Best Brandy Bottles To Try

The most memorable occasion calls for the best spirits. Brandy is arguably the most prestigious among the basic distilleries, including tequila, gin, rum, vodka, and whisky.

glass of brandy in the cellar with old barrels stacked

Whether having a get-together with friends or closing a business deal, an excellent brandy bottle will make your event one you won’t forget in a hurry!

However, numerous brandy bottle brands flood the market. It’s often the most challenging task to look for a brandy suitable for the most special occasions and milestones.

This article takes a deep dive into the spirit world – putting bottles under the microscope to deliver you the 17 best brandy bottles to try for all occasions.

Brandy remains the most favored spirit because of its smoky undertone and subtle sweetness. It has a depth of flavor most liquors cannot match and is often more expensive.

Let’s check out the best brandies without further ado.


Hennessy

Discussing the best brandy bottles to try without Hennessy in the conversation is impossible.

The brand is a cognac leader and famous worldwide. 1794 witnessed the arrival of Hennessy on American shores, and it has since exercised a stranglehold on the American liquor market.

Interestingly, Hennessy is one of the famous cognac brands, which is a brandy crafted strictly from grapes in Cognac – a French region.

The Hennessy V.S Cognac remains my most favored brandy and the brand’s most iconic flagship boasting an impressive 40% alcohol content. 

I especially like the smoky sweetness and floral notes in this brandy bottle. Besides, the brand has more than ten brandies in its collection, ensuring something for everyone. 


Asbach

Brandy is a liquor synonymous with France, but the Asbach is one of the finest German brandies I ever came across.

Hugo Asbach founded the Asbach distillery in 1892, and the liquor is currently enjoyed across 50 countries all over the globe. 

The vintage is available in 3 to 21 years, and the use of limousin oak barrels gives this brandy an extra dimension in flavor. 

The youngest vintage has a mild sweetness on the palate, while the oldest has a subtle coffee note with a toffee hint that’s hard to resist.

The Asbach 15-year-old is my preferred brandy in the Asberch collection because of its blend of maturity and vanilla notes.


Germain Robin

Germain Robin isn’t the most famous brandy because this liquor is distilled in California.

This brandy breaks away from cognac traditions while using cognac methods. 

This brandy experiments with different grapes, including California Pinot Noir, Viognier, Palomino, Gamay, and Colombard.

The coming together of Hubert Germain-Robin and Ansley Coale Jr was the perfect storm that ushered in the creation of the Freedom Brandy

This honey-colored brandy has a floral aroma with notes of nectarines, dried apricots, plums, and starfruits.

In my opinion, the fruity aroma isn’t as pronounced on the tongue. Nonetheless, it still has a full-bodied texture reminiscent of Cognac.  


Bertoux

Bertoux is a proudly American brandy crafted in San Francisco. The brandy is relatively young, with the oldest vintage only seven years old. 

American and French oak barrels are used to age this brandy, and it’s specially designed to be a mixer.

This brandy tries to keep things simple with the astringent notes of young brandy on the nose. 

See also  13 Christmas Cocktails to Make at Home

However, it’s smoother on the palate, and I’m amazed by the different flavors of brioche, dark chocolate, and raisins which work in harmony.

I prefer Bertoux to age further for more refinement, but it punches above its weight as a cocktail brandy.  


Martell

This brandy is one of the more prestigious cognac brands with over 300 years of tradition and history. Martell is a premium cognac favored by Hollywood celebrities and royals.

The brand uses Cognac-grown grapes in its distillation process. Martell brandies have different colors, determined by the fermentation length. 

The darker, richer colors age for longer and take the flavors of the cask’s wood. Moreover, older Martells age for twenty to seventy years before entering the liquor market – one reason for the high price. 

Martell VS Cognac is the more popular bottle that has a sweet, mellowly grape flavor with a hint of wood on the tail. 


Camus

Cognac is one of the most luxurious French liquor, and the Camus brand represents one of the most recognized French brands worldwide.

Camus Cognac is double distilled, blended with care, and allowed to age in small oak casks. 

The brandy maintains its roundness thanks to the light tannins on the barrels that preserve its aromatic features.

Camus Cognacs are highly prized, and the Camus Extra Cognac represents the flagship of this most prestigious brand. 

Camus Extra consists of the most delicate blend of the rarest Eaux-de-vie chiefly from Grand Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Borderies. The grapes are carefully selected for their superb flavors and aging potential.  


Giffard

Giffard is a cherry brandy that traces its origins to the Loire Valley in France. The product leans toward liqueurs and infuses two cherry varieties and raspberries too. 

It has a 25% alcohol volume, and the ruby-red color makes it the perfect brandy for an ice-cold cherry cola.

I prefer this brandy in a cocktail as it has a rather sickly-sweet taste when taken on its own. Menthe Pastille is the company’s signature liqueur with an ABV of 24%. 

This product has a crystal-clear color with aromas that include vanilla, dark chocolate, and cool peppermint. The texture is rich with a tingling feel and a dry finish. 


Courvoisier

Courvoisier is a multiple-time award-winning cognac located in the Jarnac region.

This brandy uses a double distillation process to ferment Fins Bois grapes in barrels over 200 years old. 

More importantly, it’s the only Cognac in the entire production chain of its brandy, from grape to glass.

It’s one of the more expensive brandies with intricate fruity notes and a unique flavor profile courtesy of its blend of cognacs. 

The Courvoisier VS Cognac provides a complexity of flavor that is hard to match by any VS worldwide. I enjoy this brandy after dinner, preferably with dessert. 


Darroze 40 Year Les Grand Assemblages

I feel like this is one of the more delicate brandies with a highly complex flavor—Darroze 40-Year Grand Assemblages hints of clementines, orange peel, and vanilla notes. 

The finishing is sandalwood with spice and dark chocolate with an undertone of black tea.

I like the slight acidity of this brandy which is expressed in the citrus flavors. 

The only drawback to this brandy is the price which is more expensive than most brands for the same bottle size.

See also  12 Portland Rooftop Bars with Skyline Views

It is the ideal gift for any brandy enthusiast and an authentic Armagnac that is earthy, rich, and flavorful. 


Remy Martin

Remy Martin is another famous cognac established almost 300 years ago.

This brandy has a signature amber color characterized by Grande and Petite Champagne Eaux-de-vie.

The Remy Martins XO remains the signature blend of this iconic Cognac. However, the Remy Martin VSOP is the more popular brand. The VSOP gives off a sweet cereal and berry fruit aroma on the nose. 

And when I take a little sip, I can about detect the touch of vanilla, dried figs, and manuka honey at the tip of my tongue.

The honey and truffle notes gives this brandy a smooth finish that can be made even softer with a little more time in the cask.  


Torres

Miguel and Jamie Torrres founded Torres. This brandy uses oak barrels to age the most premium Penedes wines.

The destruction of the winery in 1939 halted production but quickly took off in 1940. 

The Torres 20 has consistently been named Best Brandy in the World, winning this award in 1997, 2006, and 2019.

The Torres 30 is one of its more popular blends featuring Parellada grapes – used in the famous Torres 10. 

The oak notes mellow the fruity flavor, and the sweetness is reminiscent of dessert brandy.

It’s an exceptional Spanish brandy and well-deserved recipient of the World’s Best Brandy 2015.


Cognac Park VSOP

Cognac Park VSOP is a limited-edition brandy crafted with Ugni blanc.

These grapes are sourced from Grand Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Fins Bois crus. 

The brand new French Limousin barrels are lightly toasted to enhance the oak flavor, allowing the brandy to mature for eight months. 

Subsequently, this brandy is stored in older oak casks for up to 12 years for a smoother, richer texture. I enjoy the hint of vine peaches and bananas on the nose. 

Moreover, the brandy has several layers of flavors, including jasmine, apple, and orange, giving this drink a rich aftertaste. 


Philbert

The Philbert Brothers take a radical approach to cognac creation by using rare sherry casks in their aging and distillation process.

Look no further than the Philbert Sherry Finish if you want rich Cognac. 

The aroma is a blend of almonds, red berries, and toasted walnuts. This blend combines the Oloroso casks’ flavor with Premier Cru to produce this sun-drenched brandy with a rich and full taste. 

Philbert Sherry Finish is the singular star and doesn’t share the spotlight like mixer brandies.

I think the brandy shines brightest when drunk neat and is best enjoyed with juice or over ice. 


Hine Homage

Only a few cognac makers emphasize the blend age, listing the exact vintage blend, and Hine is one of them.

Moreover, the blend is often transported to the United Kingdom to age, giving the liquor a more floral and fruity character. 

Hine Homage is the brainchild of Eric Fouget. The Cellar Master crafted this blend in honor of the brand’s founder, exemplifying the distinctive style and coming together of UK-aged and France-aged cognacs merged. 

See also  7 Essential Pimm’s Cocktails to Try

Homage is floral on the nose with a hint of orange and clover honey. It has a rounded mouth feel with an undertone of ginger spice.

My palate is often crispy and calm after a small tipple, and the finish reminds me of oak. 

However, Homage – like other premium cognacs, is on the high side. That said, it’s still an excellent introduction for an enthusiast who requires a proper lesson in the subject of the finest cognac blends across the globe. 


Singani 63

Singani 63 is a brandy from Bolivia that uses only the finest muscat of Alexandria.

While this liquor can be described as brandy, it’s apt to call it an eau-de-vie. It’s a smooth, clean brandy with a sweet, fragrant smell and a slightly acidic taste. 

Interestingly, this brandy is the Bolivian national drink but is only now getting the recognition it deserves, thanks to film director Stephen Soderberg.

It’s an elegant, sweet-scented spirit with a smooth floral finish. 

I especially enjoy this brandy with a bit of water to draw out the intense mountain meadow flavor of the muscat Andes. 


Osocalis Apple Brandy

Osocalis is a brandy in Northern California that embodies French traditions.

It’s a flavored brandy that uses apples for its blend. The apple-only brandy gives Osocalis a deep, dark color and a slightly savory taste. 

Dan Faber is the master distiller and owner, having set up shop in California after mastering the art of brandy production in France.

The brandy uses over ten different apple varieties, giving it a mix of low and high notes. 

In my opinion, the walnut aftertaste gives it a pleasant woody finish that’s soothing and soft.

Osocalis is a highly sought-after brandy produced in small quantities and is an absolute treasure for the brandy connoisseur. 


23rd Street Distillery Not You Nanna’s Brandy

Not Your Nanna’s is an Australian brandy matured in old chardonnay casks to give this elixir its smooth and rich color.

The brandy is first double distilled to take on the characteristics of apricot, honey, and vanilla. 

However, it takes this distillation process further by using a copper pot distiller to give the brandy an extra oomph.

The vanilla smoothness on the palate makes way for apricot mixed with honey with an oaky finish. 

The brandy works well alone but is designed as a mixer for cocktails, so you can’t go wrong.

Not Your Nanna’s is a multiple-time award-winning brandy, clinching Double Gold at the SIP Awards in 2020 and 2nd place at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards in 2018. 


Brandy has a purpose for all occasions, whether you need a brandy as a daily staple, a special moment, or a cocktail mixer. Cognacs are best enjoyed neat, while Armagnacs are designed to give your cocktail that extra dimension. 

It’s worth pointing out that brandy becomes more mellow with age. When it sits in wood, the cask infuses its unique flavors making the liquor subtle and nuanced. Moreover, brandy has a different taste based on its region of production. 

The more expensive Cognac like Remy Martin passes through a regulated process hence the more refined flavors. However, Bolivian brandy like the Singani 63 offers a fruitier taste that is a product of its heritage.

Learn about other alcoholic beverages on our blog, like our favorite sweet red wines or cocktails you can make with sake.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.