Let’s go with the “ingredients” for a good Gin Tonic

Glass

A balloon cup is essential. We must discard the tube glasses! In a balloon glass, the gin aromas stand out with the tonic and are perceived much better. The thinner the glass, the more it will highlight the palate and the view.

Tonic

Premium tonic waters are usually the ones that best complement gin. Of course, they’re usually more expensive too. The point of these tonic waters is that they do not “kill” the gin, but that they are able to enhance the best attributes of each one. Obviously, there are some tonics that combine better with certain gins, but that will require another post to talk exclusively about it.

Some of the premium tonics: Indian Fever Tree, Fentimans Tonic Water, Q Tonic, Boylan Tonic.

Gin

There is a wide range of Gins, but let’s highlight some of different countries:

• Citadelle from France, with 4 distillations that take up the formula of the oldest gin in France, made in 1771 in the city of Dunkirk.
• Hendrick’s from England, which is made with a subtle infusion of high quality wheat alcohol and 8 botanical plants. Many say it’s the Rolls of gin.
• Imagin from Sweden, bluish blue in colour, flavoured with 13 botanical plants and stylish packaging.
• Blackwood’s Strong from Scotland, whose ingredients are harvested by handcrafted farmers from a sustainable agriculture program designed by the prestigious Orkney Agronomy College.
• Gin Mare from Spain, created with selected botanical ingredients in Mediterranean areas of the highest quality.
• Topfergeist Peket from Belgium, of great freshness and finesse and that has the peculiarity that the bottle is of mud.
• Doornkaat from Germany, which reflects the German style of making gin with delicate and subtle flavors.
• Zuidam from Holland, the country that invented gin. It is an exceptionally pure gin, with 5 distillations for the basic brandy and then each of the aromatics is distilled separately before final blending.
• Blue Vintage from Austria, little known but of good quality.
• Junipero from the United States, which owes its name to the fact that the predominant flavor and aroma of a modern gin always comes from juniper (Juniperus communis).

Citrus and botanicals

Careful! Add only the citrus peel that you will use (preferably lime, although lemon can be used). Besides, this should be as fresh as it gets.

Botanicals are optional, and will not always go well with all the gins and their tonics. As a general rule, each gin will have its favorite botanicals that will enhance the flavor of it. But this topic requires an individual post for each gin that we deal with.

Elaboration

• Serve 5 or 6 ice cubes very cold (seems redundant!) in the glass and move them to cool it.
• Then serve the gin, about 1/4 part, at a certain distance from the glass to oxygenate ir.
• Then cut a large slice of the citrus peel and squeeze gently over the ice. Discard this piece and cut another to add it in the glass.
• Stir gently so that the gin is impregnated with the perfume and with the peel we have added.
• Next, serve the tonic water very slowly on the ice to avoid losing the bubble, that is, you have to tilt the glass a little when the tonic is served.
• And we already have our Gin & Tonic perfectly prepared!

Tips

• It is essential that both gin and tonic are very cold, so the tonic should be in the fridge, and most experts recommend that the gin be stored in the freezer, so that when it is taken, the ice does not melt so easily and gin-tonic retains its qualities.
• Never add squeezed lemon as it kills the carbonic gas in the tonic water and, of course, never wear out the tonic before serving it.

Don’t forget that you can buy all these gins and many more at INVINIC.

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What is Gin Mare?

OK, let’s establish a few basics. Gin Mare is a premium Spanish gin, produced in Vilanova, a little fishing village not far from Barcelona. It is the creation of the Ribot family, whose ancestors had been in the booze business since 1835. It is produced in a custom-made pot still from premium barley, infused with botanicals ranging from the tradition to the esoteric.

Gin Mare is very much a product of its environment. The botanicals used here include many regional specialities, some grown on the Ribot family’s own land. The key ingredient is the Arbequina olive, and it’s supported by a range of citrus including sweet Seville oranges, bitter Valencia oranges and Lleida lemons. This is Mediterranean through and through.

Botanicals grown by the Ribots include basil, thyme, rosemary and juniper.

Tasting Gin Mare

Neutral, this is not. Far from it, in fact. Gin Mare is a highly distinctive gin, full of local character and proudly representing the lands from whence it has come.

Aromatically, Gin Mare shows some olive character, though perhaps slightly less than you might expect. The Arbequina olive is exceptionally low-yielding when juiced, so even when large quantities are used, other botanicals can become more prominent. In this case, the nose is predominantly herbal, with juniper, thyme and basil coming to the fore.

On the palate, Gin Mare shows that herbaceousness, a little Mediterranean olive and a largely savoury character.

How to drink Gin Mare

Gin Mare Gin & Tonic

A classic, and with good reason. There really is nothing quite like a good G&T, and it all comes down to the ingredients. Get yourself a quality tonic water, like Fever Tree Indian, and you really can’t go wrong.

Ingredients:

• One part Gin Mare
• Two parts tonic water
• Lime or cucumber
• Ice cubes

What to do:

• Fill a glass with ice cubes
• Add one part Gin Mare to two parts tonic water
• Garnish with a wedge of lime or cucumber
• Enjoy

Gin Mare & Honey

Sounds simple, because it is. This one is all about contrasts. Gin Mare has that savoury thing going on, and this one plays to that with a counterbalance of natural sweetness from the honey. Source yourself the best honey you can and thank yourself later.

Ingredients:

• 10 parts Gin Mare
• 2 parts honey
• 1 part water
• Ice cubes

What to do:

• Stir the honey and water together to make a syrup
• Pour this into a cocktail shaker and add the gin and ice cubes
• Shake well and pour through a strainer into a cocktail glass
• Enjoy that sweet and savoury contrast!

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Buy now.

My Day Drinking Snow Queen Vodka Cocktails:

12.01 p.m.

Screwdriver:

It wouldn’t do to drink before noon. It just wouldn’t do at all, as that sort of thing is frowned upon, you know, but one minute after noon is entirely respectable. I kicked the session off with a Screwdriver. It’s simple enough to make:

• One part Snow Queen Vodka;
• Two parts orange juice;
• Slice of orange to garnish;
• Twist orange peel over the glass to release some essential oils.

You just plop the ice into the glass. Then add the ingredients one by one, and stir. The result is actually rather yummy, with the vodka bringing out bitter elements from the oranges in a pleasant way for a confirmed sugar lover. The ice does a good job of stopping the vodka from becoming too bitter. That’s because cold temperatures kill off your ability to taste things, leaving only a satisfying warm glow from slurping down the Screwdriver. This stuff’s 40% you know.

13.10 pm

Mars Attacks:

After a Screwdriver, this cocktail seemed like a good idea. Note to self: never make important decisions while drinking. I read about it in a dusty old cocktail book I bought online, and as it is incredibly easy to make, I just had to give it a go. You’ll need:

• A Mars bar;
• One measure Snow Queen Vodka;
• And a Microwave.

Chop up the Mars bar into tiny slivers. Put those little pieces of deliciousness into a microwaveable dish, and slosh over it a measure of Snow Queen Vodka. Microwave it for 30 seconds. Thoroughly stir it all together, so it’s no longer…gloopy…and leave it to cool down. The verdict: not altogether bad. The vodka is strong alcohol, and so has a mighty hint of eucalyptus about it – which is the defining flavour of high alcohol. Yet the taste of sweet, creamy, melted chocolate overtakes that after a few seconds. It won’t win any awards, but on reflection, it is actually rather fun.

14.03

Shrouded Martini:

After plumbing the depths with the last cocktail, I took things up a notch, and tried one of the cocktails which Snow Queen Vodka’s website actually recommends. To make this, you’ll need:

• 6 Nocellara Olives, muddled (although I just used green, mid strength olives from a jar, as my local supermarket isn’t classy enough for Nocellara Olives);
• 70 ml of Snow Queen Vodka;
• 5 ml of Dry Vermouth;
• 5 ml of freshly squeezed organic lemon juice. (If you use non-organic lemon juice, I won’t tell anyone. Between you and me, I didn’t either).

I had to sit down to drink this one. Of course, by now, standing up wasn’t much of an option, but this is a serious drink indeed. And a tasty one. It has some of the zestiness of a vodka sour, but with less lemon juice, your tongue won’t feel like you’ve licked a hydrochloric lollypop. The olives add a pleasing savouriness to the drink too, and the vermouth gives some interesting herby notes, like I’ve had my martini seasoned in an Italian restaurant.

More Cocktails!

Drinking these cocktails is not an approved way of getting your ‘5 a day’ of fruit and vegetables. However if you like the sound of these cocktails, you may want to read ‘Europe through its Cocktails’.

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That’s where Xoriguer gin comes in!

What is Xoriguer gin?

This Spanish gin is not new, and makes no claim to be a craft gin or artisanal gin. No, this is comes from Mahon in Menorca, and it has something of a cult following. Known for its distinctively old-fashioned bottle, Xoriguer is a firm favourite amongst gin lovers throughout the world. What makes Xoriguer gin so special? Let’s take a look.

The history of Xoriguer gin

Understanding the appeal of Xoriguer gin involves a little history lesson. Back in the 18th century, the island of Menorca was owned by Great Britain. British sailors would routinely land in Menorca and visit local taverns. As gin was their drink of choice back home, they looked for gin in Menorca. Invariably, there was none to be found. 

The enterprising locals decided to answer this new demand by producing gin in Menorca, and Xoriguer was one of the original brands to emerge.

Making Xoriguer gin

Xoriguer gin is today produced to the same secret recipe as it has been since the beginning. It’s seriously old-fashioned stuff, and makes for a quality gin. It belongs to the Gin de Mahón geographical indication (GI). This is a legally protected designation of origin, which represents the unique place from which it comes and must follow strict protocols to ensure quality and tradition are respected. Geographical indications of this kind are more often found in the world of wine than spirits.

The base spirit is wine distilled in traditional copper stills, fuelled by burning wood. Its botanicals include juniper berries and herbs, sourced from the rich mountains nearby. The botanicals give the gin a distinctive aroma, though precisely which herbs are used is a closely-guarded secret.

Tasting Xoriguer gin: What to expect?

The aromatics are complex, but juniper is undoubtedly the star of the show. There is a lot of strong juniper action on the nose, but behind it you’ve also got some citrus fruits, herbal notes and pine resin. On the palate, Xoriguer is a thick, dense and smooth gin with an almost creamy mouthfeel, and some notes of pine and herb. It’s very dry and has a nice, lingering finish.

How to drink Xoriguer gin?

Its smooth flavour mean that you can easily drink Xoriguer gin by itself, no problem. Its distinctive aromatics make it an ideal addition to many cocktails, and most self-respecting mixologists will have Xoriguer or another Gin de Mahón in their toolkit.

The simplest and most enjoyable cocktail is an old fashioned gin and tonic. Grab your favourite tonic water, a healthy amount of Xoriguer gin, and enjoy!

Buy Xoriguer gin here.

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What is Six O’Clock Gin?

Six O’Clock Gin is an award-winning English gin produced by Bramley & Gage in Gloucestershire. The gin hit the market in 2010, though its origins go further back. The Six O’Clock Gin recipe is in fact adapted from an old recipe developed by the company’s Master Distiller, Edward Kain. Since 2010, Six O’Clock Gin has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the UK’s top gins.

How is Six O’Clock Gin made?

Naturally, exact recipes and methods are kept under wraps in the competitive craft gin industry. We do know that Six O’Clock Gin is produced using a customised copper still with a double sphere head. The gin uses a mixture of botanicals, with juniper the most prominent. Besides juniper, you’ve also got coriander, orange peel and elderflower, among others.

What does Six O’Clock Gin taste like?

In a word: Smooth! This is a seriously smooth and elegant gin, with a very clean flavour profile. The botanicals contribute to the flavour, with juniper coming to the forefront, though it in a very subtle and refined way. Neither the botanicals nor the 43% alcohol overpower the tasting experience. Gin lovers will find a lot to like here, and even Gin newbies will appreciate the accessible, easy-drinking style.

How should you drink Six O’Clock Gin?

As with anything when it comes to booze, that’s up to you. If you want to drink your Six O’Clock Gin straight, go right ahead. If ice is your thing, throw a few cubes in there. Make whatever cocktails you like. We won’t stop you.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, though…

The Six O’Clock Gin & Tonic

There’s nothing quite like a G&T. It’s a classic, simple and timeless drink, but it all comes down to the quality of your ingredients. Six O’Clock Gin is a great gin, so there’s no sense in serving with any old tonic water. Luckily, you don’t have to. The team at Bramley & Gage are just as enthusiastic about tonic as they are about gin, so they’ve got us covered.

• Six O’Clock Tonic Water is made from natural ingredients including quinine and lemon and lime extracts. You won’t find any artificial ingredients or sweeteners in here. It’s all natural.

It should be no surprise that Six O’Clock Tonic Water is the perfect match with Six O’Clock Gin – they’re quite literally made for each other! For a perfect G&T, these are the only two ingredients you’ll need. Cheers!

Buy Six O’Clock Gin here.

Buy Six O’Clock Tonic Water here.

Want to find out more about gin? Download our free ebook, The Gin Guide!

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The Botanicals in Mombasa Gin:

All gins are flavoured with a mixture of herbs, spices and fruit. What makes each gin different is its particular blend, and Mombasa Gin contains:

• Juniper berries
• Clove
• Cassia bark
• Cumin
• Coriander seeds
• Angelica root

Of course, the dominant flavour is juniper berries, as with all gin. Yet this is a spicy blend, with some citrus aromas and a peppery taste. Like all the best gins, this bottle bears the legend ‘Distilled in London’. That means that it is not ‘cold compressed’, but instead the botanicals are well infused into the base spirit. The drink has length.

The History of the Mombasa Club

Zanzibar had been ruled by the Portuguese, Arabians and later, the British. As a sign of growing influence in the area, the Mombasa Club was founded in 1885. That means gin invaded Eastern Africa a full five years before the British officially turned up with their warships and declared Zanzibar a Protectorate.
The city was a trading post. That meant the East India Company was inevitably involved in the area, and its agents had to live there. With so much money flowing around, the club members were able to have their own gin blended for their taste. It was distilled in London, and diluted to drinking strength in Spain, as the ships sailed round the world to the colony.

How to Make a Good G&T with Mombasa Gin

There’s a good formula for making the perfect G&T. The greater the alcohol, the more tonic you need to add. As Mombasa Gin is 41.5% ABV, 50ml of the stuff needs 98ml of tonic. Remember to serve with lots of ice and a slice of lemon, with the tonic refrigerated . Keeping the drink cool means the bubbles last longer, and the bubbles are what delivers so much of the aroma, with is actually where most of a gin’s flavour comes from. For an expert’s guide on making a really great G&T, read ‘The 5 Most Common Mistakes When Making a Gin and Tonic’.

What Else to Serve at Cocktail o’Clock:

While the classic cocktail for gin is the G&T, there are several others you might want to try with this blend. Remember that most cocktails were developed in the 1920s to hide the foul taste of strong, badly made alcohol, and while that doesn’t apply to Mombasa Gin, not everyone in your circle will appreciate its bitter taste. Here’s a few ideas for changing the flavour profile if you’re entertaining guests with a different palette:

• Gimlet. The classic Gimlet is half gin and half sweetened lime juice, with a slice of lime to garnish. Sweet and fruity, it hits the spot every time.
• Singapore Sling. Not only is this refreshingly sweet, it’s also the perfect name for slurring. The Singapore Sling is a seriously strong drink, which is very hard to say after you’ve had one, but it is fruity. Just don’t tell your doctor that this is how you get your ‘5 a Day’ of fruit and veg.
• Pink Gin. Allegedly, the United Kingdom’s Queen Mother loved a pink gin. It’s very simple to make, with a just a dash of Angostura bitters, this is for bitter flavour lovers who want something a little more out of the ordinary.

Further Drinking:

The great thing about gin is that it feels like a really tasty home science project. You can endlessly experiment with different tonics, botanicals, base spirits, garnishes and even glasses. Learn how different botanicals result in differently flavoured gin in ‘Botanicals Complete Our Gin and Tonic’. Or you can check out the exciting developments in the world of premium tonics in ‘Premium Tonic Water Touches the Spots Other Brands Cannot’.

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Carlos 1 Brandy: What do you need to know?

Brandy from Spain usually comes from one of two regions: Jerez and Penedès. Carlos 1 hails from Jerez and is an XO style brandy.

• Did you know?

  The term XO Brandy, short for “extra old”, refers to a Brandy where the youngest spirit in the blend has been stored for at least six years in cask.

Produced by Pedro Domecq, this is a 38% alcohol grape Brandy that has been aged in a solera system, best known as the maturation system used for Sherry wines.

What does Carlos 1 Brandy taste like?

To look at, it’s got a beautiful colour, dark amber with hints of brilliant gold. Stick your nose in and take a sniff, and you’ll be treated with pleasant vanilla and wood. Take a sip, and the first thing you’ll note is just how smooth it is. Forget any preconceived notions you may have about Brandy here, there’s nothing rough here. The palate is smooth, subtly fruity, and the finish is pleasant and persistent.

How to serve Carlos 1 Brandy

Carlos 1 Brandy is a versatile drink, and you have a few options when it comes to how to serve and enjoy it. Let’s look at our top three ways to serve this Spanish delight!

1. Serving Carlos 1 Brandy neat

Serving Brandy neat is just about as classic as it gets. A high-quality bottle like Carlos 1 truly doesn’t need any accompaniment: The Brandy can and will speak for itself. While some cheaper brown spirits can be rough or unpleasant when served neat, Carlos 1 Brandy is nicely in balance. The alcohol is strong, though never overpowering. 

Pour yourself a measure into a Brandy snifter (or wine tasting glass if you’re stuck), sit back by the fire and enjoy the aromas and flavours. It’s not really advisable to serve your Brandy on the rocks, unless you find the alcohol (or flavours) too strong. Adding ice will effectively water down your drink and dull its character, so do so with caution!

2. Carlos 1 Brandy Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail. Traditionally made with Cognac, it’s perfectly acceptable to use a Spanish Brandy instead, and Carlos 1 is our favourite. The ingredients are simple, it’s easy to put together, and it’s delicious!

Ingredients

• 5cl Carlos 1 Brandy
• 2cl orange liqueur
• 2cl lemon juice

Method

• Mix all three ingredients together in a cocktail shaker, and add crushed ice.
• Give it a good, strong shake and strain your mixture into a cocktail glass.
• Serve as is, without adding ice – enjoy!

3. Carlos 1 Brandy Stinger

The Stinger is another cocktail bar staple, and again we recommend using Carlos 1 in place of Cognac. This one is perhaps even simpler than the Sidecar, though no less potent – or delicious!

Ingredients

• 5cl Carlos 1 Brandy
• 2cl crème de menthe

Method

• Mix the Brandy and crème de menthe together with ice.
• Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.
• Optional: Serve on the rocks by adding ice!

Where to buy Carlos 1 Brandy

Crash course complete, you might be thirsty right about now. Reading is all well and good, but when it comes to wines and spirits, it’s all about learning by tasting!carlo

Buy Carlos 1 Brandy here and put our cocktail recipes and tips to the test!

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Why is Hennessy Ellipse so expensive?

Yep, you read that correctly. Hennessy Ellipse costs €25,000. That’s more expensive than many cars, family holidays, college courses and even ultra-expensive Bordeaux wines – you could nearly get six bottles of legendary Pomerol wine Château Le Pin 2006 for just one bottle of Hennessy Ellipse! This is not an everyday bottle of booze, and is only for those with seriously deep pockets. If that’s you, be our guest and go ahead and pick up a bottle below. We’ll wait!

• Buy Hennessy Ellipse 700ml here!

For those of you that may not yet be quite sold in parting with that sort of cash for a bottle of Cognac, let’s consider why this particular bottle costs quite so much!

The 2 things that make Hennessy Ellipse so special (and yes, so expensive!)

1. The bottle itself is a work of art – literally. Designed by Thomas Bastide, the bottle is made from Baccarat crystal. The Hennessy Ellipse design is an update of an earlier design, Hennessy Timeless. This is a collector’s item, even when empty! It’s super-rare, having been released in tiny quantities.

2. There is some serious stuff in the bottle. Hennessy is known for its mastery of the art of blending. All Cognac is made by blending eaux-de-vie, and the blend for Hennessy Ellipse is the result of seven generations’ worth of know-how and expertise – what the French call “savoir-faire”. Hennessy Ellipse is a blend of seven ultra-special eaux-de-vie, each having been handpicked by one of the seven master blenders that have overseen production at Hennessy since 1800. This one is made from eaux-de-vie derived from a seriously impressive list of back vintages – 1830, 1848, 1875, 1932, 1947, 1972 and 1995!

That’s two very good reasons to buy, but this is still several thousand euros outside of most people’s Cognac budget. What should Cognac lovers try instead, then?

What to buy instead of Hennessy Ellipse

If Hennessy Ellipse is a little out of your price range, worry not. We’ve got just the thing for you to try to get a whole lot of that Hennessy quality at a tiny fraction of the price.

• Buy Hennessy V.S. Cognac here!

Hennessy V.S. Cognac may be entry-level by Hennessy standards, but it’s no slouch. This is a quality Cognac, though it comes from considerably younger wine than the Hennessy Ellipse. You won’t find any eaux-de-vie from the 1800s here, though – the youngest eaux-de-vie in the Hennessy VS blend will be between two-and-a-half and five years of age. Nonetheless, this is a beautiful Cognac, and is enjoyed throughout the world. It has a strong golden colour, aromas of spice and oak with some fruit, and a woody spicy flavour profile. Serve this neat or as part of a cocktail, particularly with ginger ale or soda!

Would you pay €25,000 for a bottle of Cognac like Hennessy Ellipse? What is the most expensive bottle of booze you’ve ever bought? Let us know in the comments below!

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One great way to get more out of a bottle of vodka is to make cocktails! Making your own vodka cocktails is a great way to save some cash, as the vodka lasts longer and you are not paying cocktail bar prices. All you need is a bottle of Grey Goose and a trip to the grocery store!

First things first, though: the vodka!

Which is the cheapest Grey Goose vodka?

When it comes to picking your vodka, you’ve got choices. Cellarmaster Francois Thibaut and his team produce a range of vodkas that get very high-end, very quickly. You’ve got flavoured variants like Grey Goose L’Orange, and specially engraved bottles and even large formats. The cheapest Grey Goose vodka is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the standard Grey Goose. We’ve based our cocktail recipes on this one, so it’s best to avoid the flavoured versions.

• Buy Grey Goose 1L here

Now, it’s cocktail time. As even the cheapest Grey Goose vodka is on the pricey side, we’ve picked out some seriously budget ingredients for the cocktail recipes – feel free to trade up a little if you like!

3 of the cheapest Grey Goose vodka cocktails

Vodka is great for cocktails because it is incredibly flexible. Its neutral taste and clear appearance mean that you can mix and match different flavours and ingredients without the vodka itself overpowering anything. Grey Goose is high-quality stuff, too, so there will be no rough flavours or alcohol burn that you might find with cheaper vodkas. Here are three of our favourite Grey Goose vodka cocktails: Do try this at home!

1. Grey Goose Screwdriver

This one is as simple as it is delicious. Quick, easy and probably the cheapest Grey Goose vodka cocktail you’ll ever make!

You’ll need:

• Grey Goose vodka

• Orange juice

• Ice

• Orange slice

What you’ll need to do:

• Take one part vodka to two parts orange juice

• Mix together with ice in a highball glass

• Garnish with orange slice, and serve

2. Grey Goose Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a little trickier than the Screwdriver, but it’s a classic and is really worth knowing how to make.

You’ll need:

• Grey Goose vodka

• Lime juice

• Ginger beer

• Lime slice or wedge

• Ice

What you’ll need to do:

• Mix 4.5cl of vodka with 12cl of ginger beer in a highball glass with ice

• Add 0.5cl of lime juice and stir gently

• Garnish with lime slice, and serve

3. Grey Goose Vodka Martini

Last but not least, we’ve got the Grey Goose take on the classic vodka Martini. This is a favourite of James Bond’s, but thankfully the recipe is no secret!

You’ll need:

• Grey Goose vodka

• Dry vermouth

• Ice

• Olive or lemon, to garnish

What you’ll need to do:

• Mix six parts vodka to one part vermouth with ice in a cocktail shaker

• Strain into a Martini glass

• Garnish with olive or lemon, and serve

What do you think of our Grey Goose vodka cocktails? Do you have any recipes of your own? Share them with us in the comments!

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Soberano Brandy and Cognac: How do they stack up?

First, let’s be clear: Not all Brandy is created equal. Some Brandy is intended to be unfussy and of entry-level quality. Others are prestigious and among the finest alcoholic drinks in the world, intended to be sipped and savoured much like a fine wine. Soberano Brandy belongs to the first category, while most Cognac will fall into the second. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to line them up and compare, to see how and why a quality Cognac is considered the superior drink. As we’ve got Spain’s most famous Brandy, let’s compare it with France’s most famous Cognac: Hennessy V.S.

Comparing Soberano Brandy with Hennessy V.S. Cognac

The difference in price alone will probably suggest that we’re dealing in two different leagues here, but let’s at least identify the players:

• Soberano Brandy
• Hennessy V.S. Cognac

Let’s compare these two Brandies on a different aspects, and try to see if there are any surprises!

Origin

Soberano Brandy is Spanish, and is produced by the well-known Gonzalez Byass in Jerez. This region is, of course, best known for producing Sherry, though they make Brandy here too. Hennessy, on the other hand, is French. It is the best known producer in Cognac, which lies to the north of Bordeaux. Hennessy is a world-famous Cognac house, and is owned by the international luxury goods group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. In terms of prestige, Hennessy beats Soberano Brandy here for sure.

Taste

Cognac is considered to be one of the finest beverages known to man. There is very little bad Cognac, and the best examples are up there with single malt Scotch whisky in terms of complexity. Hennessy V.S. is not the top Cognac in the Hennessy portfolio, though it is the flagship product. Virtually every liquor or spirits store in the world sells it, and for many it is the only Hennessy product they’ll ever taste, so it’s gotta be good! Thankfully, it is. Hennessy V.S. is intense and full-bodied, with flavours ranging from citrus, oak, apple and grapes. How does Soberano Brandy compare?

Compared to Hennessy, Soberano Brandy can feel a little thin. It has aromas of toffee and vanilla, and is quite smooth on the palate. However, it is simply nowhere near as complex as the Cognac. Soberano Brandy is lighter, less complex and less refined than its pricier equivalent. Speaking of price…

Price

Price is an important consideration for many, and why not? Hennessy – and any other Cognac, for that matter – simply cannot compete on price with Soberano Brandy. If you are looking for something cheap and cheerful, the Spanish bottle is your best bet – particularly due to its one-litre capacity. Those with a more discerning palate, however, may want to forget about Soberano Brandy altogether and opt instead for the finer, more balanced and luxurious option that is Hennessy V.S.

What is your favourite Brandy? Have you tried Spanish Brandy and French Cognac? Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!

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La entrada Soberano Brandy: How does it compare with Cognac? se publicó primero en Blog INVINIC.