Whether you’re adding them to sangria or sipping them neat, the best brandies consistently deliver smooth and sweet character. And what is brandy exactly, you might ask? It’s any spirit distilled from fermented fruit juice, most commonly grapes. However, there’s also cherry brandy, fruit brandy, apple brandy, pear brandy, and other variants, many of which hail from assorted regions around the world.
When it comes to the best brandies from the best brands, grapes do tend to dominate. As for the resulting taste–which might be described as falling somewhere between whisky and wine—factors like region, maturation, production methods, and type of grape all play a respective role. In turn, any list of the best brandies will cover a broad spectrum of flavours, colours, and aromas.
Now, let’s move on to the best brandy brands and their finest expressions. Some come from places like France or the USA, while many hail from right here in Australia. Prepare for some smooth sipping.
23rd St Distillery
A once-legendary distillery came back with a proverbial vengeance in 2016, making deft use of old copper pot stills and South Australia’s fertile Riverland. Among the label’s slate of award-winning spirits are two new school brandies. That includes Prime 5, a luscious and layered blend of mature parcels. On the palate comes a brilliant interplay between dried fruit, vanilla, oak, and spice. There’s also Not Your Nanna’s Brandy, which lives up to its name by way of fruity aroma and bright flavour. If you want to try some of the best that Australia has to offer, 23rd St Distillery is a perfect place to start.
Bardinet
French spirits group Bardinet has been in the game since 1934, though its true origins go all the way back to 1857. Needless to say, these folks certainly know how to craft a quality brandy. To that end, the label’s flagship VSOP is both affordable and reliable, though best used in brandy cocktails or sangria. At the higher end of the spectrum is Bardinet XO Grand Cru Cask Wine Finish, which delivers balanced aroma, rich colour, and seriously deep flavour.
St Agnes
Handcrafted since 1925, St Agnes brandy is easily some of the finest Australia has to offer. Plus, it’s made right here in the country, meaning no hefty mark-ups. The XO 15-Year-Old is like something out of your wildest dreams, with bold and balanced notes of fruit and oak. Want to take things up a notch (to the tune of about $200)? Then the St Agnes XO Imperial 20-Year-Old is worth your while. If only the topmost shelf will suffice, drop $750 for the XO Grand Reserve 40-Year-Old. This brand definitely does Australia proud.
Paul Masson
America’s Paul Masson won’t be the best brandy you ever try, but it will deliver plenty of bang for your buck. Both the VS and VSOP statements are low in cost and high in quality. The VSOP blend, in particular, is impressively affordable given its four-year maturation. Meanwhile, the VS probably works best as the main ingredient in your next brandy cocktail. This label also offers a solid array of flavoured brandies, such as Apple, Mango, Peach, and others.
Chateau Tanunda
These days, Chateau Tanunda is best known as an award-winning winery, but its namesake brandy is the stuff of legend, nonetheless. For over 100 years, this brandy has been a perennial favourite among savvy locals, who relish its consistency and dependability. Made from premium grapes, the spirit boasts a golden hue and well-rounded taste, among other things. While not necessarily the best brandy for sipping, it will add the perfect punch to your sangria or cocktail.
St-Rémy
A subsidiary of Rémy Martin, St-Rémy comes preceded by over a century of history and craftsmanship. The brand’s three flagship statements are quintessentially French and, therefore, truly classic. Use the VSOP in a brandy cocktail or sangria, but save the Cask Finish Collection for your sifter. As for the award-winning and versatile XO—enjoy that one as you see fit.
Chatelle
Looking for a delicious mid-range brandy of the traditional variety? Then head over to Jim Murphy’s and order the Chatelle Napoleon VSOP, which has been pleasing palates since 1828. A rich nose of honey, oak, and nuts gives way to a full-bodied taste and smooth finish. It all makes for the perfect digestif.
Sullivan’s Cove
Odds are you’ve sipped on some unforgettable single malt whiskies from Sullivan’s Cove, but have you tasted its equally incredible brandies? If not, pick up a bottle of the XO Double Cask or XO Single Cask post haste. Both represent a collaboration between the Tasmanian distillery and Australia’s thriving wine industry. What’s more, they’re some of the best brandies you’ll ever try. Prepare to fall in love with this brand all over again.
Laird and Company
Most of the best brandies come from fermented grapes, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room to branch out. Enter Laird and Company, makers of a beloved applejack brandy. Is the standard Laird’s Applejack one of the best brandies? Probably not, though it is quite good (despite its relative ubiquity). The label’s 7 1/2 Year Old Apple Brandy, however, is indeed a veritable sipper. Like a mix of apple pastry and woody cedar, it flows in on a wave of toasty tartness.
Germain-Robin
Produced in California in very small quantities, Germain-Robin brandy is widely considered one of the best in the world. The price per bottle is exceptionally high, but you definitely get what you pay for. Should you ever have the chance to try Germain-Robin Select Barrel XO, in particular, consider yourself among the privileged few, as it’s basically liquid gold.