The diverse and exquisite world of fruit spirits is situated at the delicate intersection of sophistication and indulgence. The category can transport both eager newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs through stories of terroir, craftsmanship, and centuries of heritage. Navigating the world of brandy can be a journey to taste some dramatic distillates and discover uniquely nuanced notes.
While one article could never encompass the broad scope of brandies, below is a selection of fun, approachable, under-the-radar brandies, spanning the spectrum from robust and powerful to delicately sweet and aromatic. From historic distilleries to innovative newcomers, each selection offers a glimpse into this underappreciated and often misunderstood spirit category. If you prefer the warming intensity of a strong eau de vie or the smooth decadence of a sweetie delight, there's a perfect bottle for your desired experience.
STRAWBAR ORIGIN
Starting strong. Eau de vie are fruit brandies that are usually unaged and can taste very hot or harsh when enjoyed neat. Strawbar Origin is a strawberry eau de vie made from 100% fermented strawberries. Traditionally fruit eau de vie is made through macerating a less sugary fruit in spirit for the flavour. But Strawbar uses only a special variety of wild strawberry from the Florina region in Northern Greece. This strawberry, known as Alpine strawberries - or more formally, Fragaria vesca - are a varietal known for their delicious, aromatic taste. They are small, flavourful, and luxurious. Unlike their larger grocery-store counterparts, alpine and woodland berries haven’t been bred for size. These are then hand harvested and handled delicately by analytical and organic chemists to create Strawbar’s signature pillars of flavour: strawberry, caramel, compote, & smoke. While somewhat intense on its own, it is magical in many cocktails that use clear spirits.
Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.00
DAMPFWERK BARRELED GRAPE IMMATURE BRANDY (aka “Ivey”)
For US brandy enthusiasts, a special selection is this Minnesota-based distillery owned by a German family dedicated to quality products. Grape brandy produced in the United States is typically made from the distillation of fermented grape juice or wine similar to production of the Piscos of Chile and Peru. The Dampfwerk Barreled Grape Immature Brandy is distilled from a skin-on-fermentation using whole fruit imparting additional flavour and texture to the resulting product. It’s then distilled in a copper pot still with four plates. The makers describe the process as “expensive, arduous, and messy, but it provides a full-bodied fruit brandy that we are proud to sip eau de vie style, or barrel aged.” Strong in ABV but packs a punch in deliciousness as well.
Size: 375ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: $38 (around £30)
G.E. MASSENEZ POIRE WILLIAMS
G.E. Massenez Poire Williams is well-renowned as a masterpiece of French distillation. This pear brandy captures the essence of bright, ripe pears in every drop. Its unparalleled smoothness and delicate fruit expression make it a standout choice for anyone in search of a refined and unforgettable drinking experience. Traditionally enjoyed neat as a digestif, gifted to a pal in need of escape, or used to elevate cocktails and desserts, G.E. Massenez Poire Williams never fails to impress with its impeccable balance and lingering, peary finish. This spirit has the ability to transport the drinker to the orchards of Alsace with each sip of this extraordinary brandy. A perfect middle ground for this scale.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.99
PÉRE MAGLOIRE FINE VS CALVADOS
Pére Magloire Fine VS Calvados is crafted using traditional methods of apple brandy production. It begins with the fermentation of apple cider, which is then distilled to create a clear apple spirit. The spirit is made from single continuous distillation in copper stills to concentrate the apple aromas. The flavour is then blended with the fruitiest cuvées and aged in barrels made of century-old oak. This Calvados offers a taste of the rich apple-growing traditions of Normandy, showcasing the unique terroir and craftsmanship as the flagship of the extensive Pére Magloire collection of apple expressions. A beginner’s guide to smooth and fruity flavours, it’s a great brandy to get someone into brandy.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £33.24
BARDINET COFFEE
Finishing off sweet and easy. Winning Gold at the World Brandy Awards, Bardinet Coffee is a brandy-based coffee liqueur produced by Bardinet, a renowned French spirits company with a strong heritage dating back to 1857. Bardinet Coffee is a premium coffee liqueur and is lauded for quality and richness. After Arabica beans are roasted to specification, they are distilled to extract the essence of the coffee, resulting in a concentrated coffee distillate. This liqueur mixes the coffee distillate and the Bardinet brandy with a balance of the right amount of sweetness and complexity. Its velvety texture and good solid coffee flavour make it delicious over ice, added to any coffee beverage morning or night, and a sweetened delight in any coffee liqueur cocktail.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 28%
Find here: £13.02
By Zach Sapato
