Brandy is potentially one of the most underrated spirits around. While it may not be as flashy as champagne or as popular at celebrations as tequila, there's something incredibly unique about this fruity spirit.
Brandy is by no means an unpopular spirit, but it can easily fade into the background if you're not familiar with what it is. Luckily, we're all about introducing you to what different spirits have to offer—and brandy is no exception.
In this guide, we'll explain what brandy is, how it's made, and the types and varieties you can enjoy the next time you're looking for something to sip.
What Is Brandy?
Brandy is a type of spirit that is made from fermented fruit. While grapes are the most commonly used, brandy can also be made from pears, apples, apricots, and peaches.
Since the production process starts with the fruits being fermented into a wine, it's easy to mistake brandy and wine for the same type of drink, but the difference comes with the distillation process. You can even think of brandy as a distilled wine since it's essentially taking wine and turning it into a distilled spirit.
Another reason that many people confuse brandy with wine is its name. The word 'brandy' comes from the Dutch word 'brandewijn'. This translates to 'burnt wine' and refers to the process where the wine is heated to distill the alcohol.
Because of this distillation, brandy is a much stronger and more potent alcohol than wine. In fact, most brandies have an alcohol content between 40% and 50% ABV (alcohol by volume), with the majority of them falling in the proof range of 80 to 100.
How Brandy Is Made
The brandy production process has multiple steps to turn grapes and other fermented fruit juices into a smooth and delicious spirit. Typically, it starts with fermentation before going through the rest of the process, which sets it apart from grape wine.
Here's how it comes together:
1. Fermentation
The first step is usually fermenting the fruit—the base for the brandy. This can range from grapes (the most common) to more distinct flavors like apple brandy, peach brandy, and other fruit brandies.
For this part of the process, the fruit is crushed to create a mash. Then, yeast is added to turn the natural fruit sugars into alcohol. This creates the wine-like base that is then distilled to refine it into a spirit.
2. Distillation
After fermenting the fruits, the wine is distilled to concentrate the alcohol. This can be done in either copper pot stills or continuous column stills.
Copper pot stills are considered more traditional and produce stronger brandy with more complex flavors. On the other hand, continuous column stills are used to distill larger quantities of brandy more effectively, which can lead to a lighter flavor profile than copper pots.
3. Aging
Now, the brandy needs to age to develop not only a deeper flavor but its unique color, too! Generally, brandy is aged in oak casks that give the spirit those woody notes that are part of its charm. This process also changes the drink's appearance into a much richer amber color.
In some cases, brandies can be aged in stainless steel or clay jars. While this keeps the flavors and colors lighter and cleaner, it isn't the most authentic way to age brandy.
4. Blending
With bigger distilleries, most brandies are blended. This is done by mixing brandies from different barrels to create a more balanced flavor profile. It's also done specifically to create more consistency so that every bottle tastes the same.
Types Of Brandy
Brandy is an incredibly versatile drink that comes in tons of different varieties, with unique subcategories constantly being added to the list! For example, Stella Rosa offers a butter toffee-flavored brandy that puts a fun twist on the typical fruity varieties you'll find on the market.
The most well-known and common types of brandy include:
Cognac
Cognac brandy comes from the Cognac region of France and is one of the most sought-after types in the world. So it's no wonder that Hennessy Cognac is such a popular brand! But why?
Well, Cognac is made under incredibly strict regulations that cover every factor of its production—right down to the varieties of grapes that can be used. These varieties include ugni blanc, folle blanche, and colombard, which must be distilled in copper pot stills for the spirit to be considered an authentic Cognac. And that's not all!
In addition to these regulations, Cognac must be aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of two years. The aging process is further classified into certain categories:
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VS (Very Special): This is the youngest brandy and aged for at least two years.
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VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): These Cognacs are aged for around four years (or more).
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XO (Extra Old): These are the oldest Cognacs, aged for 10 years or longer.
Since so much effort is put into producing brandy of this caliber, Cognac is considered one of the best types of brandy for collectors and connoisseurs.
Armagnac
Another French brandy that has become extremely popular among aficionados is Armagnac, which comes from the Gascony region of southwestern France and is generally considered a more earthy counterpart to Cognac.
Unlike Cognac (which goes through double distillation in copper pot stills), Armagnac is only distilled once using a continuous column still. The regulations for this brandy are also a little looser, allowing for up to 10 different grape varieties to be used for its production.
Armagnac shares some similarities with Cognac, though. For instance, the aging categories are also classified into VS, VSOP, and XO. However, in this case, VS refers to young brandies that are aged for at least one year.
Pisco
Pisco is a South American variety of brandy, mainly produced in Chile and Peru—but these two countries produce very different styles of Pisco!
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Peruvian Pisco is generally unaged, which gives it a clear color and rustic taste with notes of florals, spices, and herbs.
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Chilean Pisco is aged, making it much smoother with richer flavors.
While Cognac and Armagnac are sipping brandies, Pisco is best used in cocktails (like the iconic Pisco Sour!). This is because its strong floral notes make it a better mixing spirit than darker brandies with smokier flavors.
Other types of brandy
Although the most common types of brandy are Cognac, Armagnac, and Pisco, there are plenty of other brandies on the market. In fact, some other types are just as popular in certain countries and include:
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Grappa: This is a traditional, unaged Italian brandy, made from the pomace of grapes.
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Brandy de Jerez: This brandy comes from Spain's Jerez region, and it's aged using the solera system.
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Eau-de-vie: Eau-de-vie is another French brandy made from a variety of different fruits. The brandy is typically unaged and uses apples, pears, peaches, and apricots to develop unique, crisp flavors.
Of course, you can find just about any kind of brandy you can imagine since the market for this spirit is constantly growing. And, if you want to try a few different types for yourself, we'd highly recommend sampling the Stella Rosa Brandy Trio.
How To Drink Brandy
If you want to relax and unwind or sip on something delicious the next time you're celebrating, brandy is a great choice. Its versatility and range of flavors make it the ideal drink to enjoy in almost any way you'd like, and it can suit just about any palate.
Some of the most common ways to enjoy your brandy are by sipping it neat or on the rocks or adding it to your favorite cocktails. But you can always get creative with the way that you enjoy this unique spirit.
Neat
Want to truly enjoy the complex flavors and depth that brandy has to offer? Then you may want to try sipping it neat: pouring it directly from the bottle with no ice or additives.
Ideally, you'll want to sip on room-temperature brandy to really let the aromas and the flavor profile shine. And, if you're enjoying a premium Cognac or Armagnac, you may also want to pour it into a snifter. This is a glass with a wider bottom and narrow top, so you can swirl it around and savor the bouquet before you take a sip.
On the rocks
For some brandy lovers, a strong brandy served neat is all they're after. However, if you want to mellow the flavors out (or you just enjoy a chilled drink), you can always serve it on the rocks. This means adding some ice to your drink to cool it down and dilute it slightly to allow the flavors to open up a little more.
To chill your drink without diluting it too much, you can use bigger ice cubes to slow the process down. Alternatively, serve your brandy in a chilled glass for a similar effect (although it won't last as long).
Cocktails
Although it may not seem like the type of drink you'd want to mix into a cocktail, this fruity spirit actually makes for the perfect addition to certain cocktails. For example, you can't go wrong with adding a splash of brandy to your punch or a refreshing Sangria. But our favorite brandy-based cocktails include:
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Sidecar: You can make this zesty drink by mixing brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
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Brandy Alexander: If you're after something a little creamier for an after-dinner treat, a Brandy Alexander is just the thing. For this drink, mix brandy, cream, and creme de cacao for a little bit of extra indulgence.
As a digestif
Brandy is traditionally served neat after dinner. This is because the fruity flavors pair perfectly with most desserts, but it can also be savored as the ideal nightcap to round off your evening.
FAQs
What is the difference between Cognac and brandy?
Although Cognac is a type of brandy, not all brandy is a Cognac. Instead, Cognac comes from the Cognac region of France and is made according to strict rules and regulations, which include using specific varieties of grapes, specific aging times, and a strict distillation process.
When it comes to brandy, though, it can be made almost anywhere in the world using a variety of different fermented fruits.
Is brandy stronger than vodka?
Brandy and vodka usually have a similar alcohol content of around 40% ABV. Still, there are some brandy varieties that can be much stronger than this (up to 50% ABV) and have higher proofs.
Is brandy always made from grapes?
No, brandy isn't always made from grapes. While certain types of brandy (like Cognac and Armagnac) are exclusively made from grapes, other varieties use different types of fruits to give the brandy a unique flavor profile and smelling notes. For instance, you can find anything from apple brandy to apricot brandy, with some brands making more exotic flavors from tropical fruits!
Is Hennessy brandy?
Yes, Hennessy is a brandy. But, more specifically, it's a type of Cognac. Hennessy Cognac is actually one of the most popular Cognacs in the world and is considered a premium brandy among brandy aficionados.
Final Thoughts
Although brandy may seem like a simple spirit from the outside, it's much more complex than you may think. This delicious drink has plenty of unique flavor varieties for you to enjoy in just about any way you'd like. So, if you're excited to get your hands on a bottle of the best brandy on the market, be sure to check out our brandy collections to find your new favorite drink.
