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September 2023 - Brandy This month's Spirits feature is Brandy Brandy Reviews All $399 Bhakta Spirits 1973 Single Vintage Armagnac The kind of luxury spirit that is so good and well integrated with aromas and flavors that it leaves you temporarily dumbstruck asking yourself, "What is that delicious memory?" $399 » Read Full Review $579 Bhakta Spirits 1964 Single Vintage Armagnac Upon pop and pour, this could use more fruit to balance the umami, resin-esque quality of the finish; however, with some extended aeration this rich and complex spirit truly opens up to become something special proving there is no faking the luxury and age this exhibits. $579 » Read Full Review $450 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old De Gaulle Barrel No. 29 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac Complex and delicious with the fruit leading and the mildly smoky savory aspect lingering on forever; it has a story to tell and commands a listen. $450 » Read Full Review $450 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Emperor Norton Barrel No. 30 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac Smoky roasted nuts with a dash of honeyed figs; a fascinating flavor excursion that is incredibly layered and nuanced and really subtle for its high proof. $450 » Read Full Review $450 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Rasputin Barrel No. 28 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac Sweet and fruity with savory and meaty notes all swirled together in this umami bomb; tons of smoky goodness that demand cigars and smoking jackets. $450 » Read Full Review $44 Cardenal Mendoza Solera Gran Reserva Brandy A triumphant example of fine Spanish Brandy that brings the aged and tertiary flavors and aromas to the forefront but remains well within balance. $44 » Read Full Review $62 Abecassis 1er Cru VSOP Cognac Outperforms the VSOP category with the elegance, depth, and integration found in the glass; if you enjoy Gran Napoleon or XO Cognac this is a value grab for sure. $62 » Read Full Review $194 Bhakta Spirits 1994 Single Vintage Armagnac Okay Raj, this is fancy, tasty, and better than that Whiskey made down the road; fruit, honey, barrel spicy, tobacco and nuts, this is so so delicious. $194 » Read Full Review $389 Bhakta Spirits 1974 Single Vintage Armagnac Exactly what old Armagnac is supposed to be, capital Yum. $389 » Read Full Review $450 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Pickerell Barrel No. 26 Islay Whisky Cask-Finished Armagnac Some interesting luxury libations alchemy happening in the glass here; quite complex and delicious but also not normal, so let's stay weird with this dram. $450 » Read Full Review $34 BrandyLab Aged Brandy Fruit forward with a well balanced flash of barrel flavors; very well executed and an all around ingratiating sipper. $34 » Read Full Review $44 Merlet VSOP Cognac A quite delightful VSOP that deserves a spot on your back bar whether for classic cocktail applications or for sipping. $44 » Read Full Review $49 Cardenal Mendoza Nebulis Unusually Smoky Cask-Finished Brandy For fans of old, earthy, and smooooth Brandies that want none of the fruity flavors or alcohol bite. $49 » Read Full Review $69 A. De Fussigny VSOP Cognac Grande Champagne Orange, honey, dates, and caramel roasted nuts dance upon the nose giving way to a lush palate and medium long fruity finish. $69 » Read Full Review $299 Bhakta Spirits 1984 Single Vintage Armagnac Sit back and enjoy the ride of layer upon layer upon layer of flavor here. $299 » Read Full Review $349 Camus XO Cognac The nose and the palate are delicious, but this is all about the long, lingering, and ethereal finish that only can be found in finely aged spirits. $349 » Read Full Review $450 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Jackie Barrel No. 27 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac Quite the aromatic and flavor journey to be found within your glass: sweet, fruity, savory, earthy, rancio; liquid history. $450 » Read Full Review $48 Martell Blue Swift VSOP Cognac Wonderful balance of fruit character against the barrel characteristics; would play winningly in a wide range of cocktails as well as being more than good enough to sip on its own. $48 » Read Full Review $120 Martingale Cognac Super clean and unadulterated, this Cognac speaks to a purity of grape flavor reminiscent of what great Brandy was before additives; you can taste grape, still, and oak cleanly. $120 » Read Full Review $210 Ferrand Sélection Des Anges Cognac Complex and well aged with lots of savory sweet barrel character but nice flashes of young red fruit appear here and there as well. $210 » Read Full Review $40 Abecassis 1er Cru VS Cognac A well aged and serious Cognac for being a VS; delightful flavors and aromas with a slightly hot and spicy finish. $40 » Read Full Review $41 Ferrand 1840 VS Cognac The slightly higher proof is nice for cocktail applications with the fruit and wood spice also playing well in the classics. $41 » Read Full Review $120 Reviseur Single Estate Platinum XO Cognac A very charming XO that seems like a fine Champagne blend aimed at Whiskey drinkers. $120 » Read Full Review $19 Best Buy Pisco Capel Reservado Clean and pleasantly fruity, this is a nice and mild introduction to the Pisco category. $19 Best Buy » Read Full Review $20 Best Buy Aldeia Velha Vínica Brandy Sweet candied fruit with a heady perfume make this a fun but specific use mixer. $20 Best Buy » Read Full Review $23 Pisco Capel Alto Del Carmen Pisco Reservado Very pleasing with approachable aromas and flavors of vanilla candied fruit. $23 » Read Full Review $28 Nyak Cinnamon Fiyah Brandy Cinnamon and a barrel-aged base that will Christmas up some coffee real good. $28 » Read Full Review $29 Driftless Glen Distillery 5 Year Reserve Brandy A nice interplay of fruit and barrel that grows on the palate and leaves you with a long finish of warm gingerbread. $29 » Read Full Review $36 Cardenal Mendoza Angelus Flavored Brandy A solid orange Liqueur for all cocktail applications, and on its own it comes through as slightly floral; covers the bases. $36 » Read Full Review $49 Reviseur Single Estate VS Cognac A beautifully dark and rich VS with lots of oak character; this is an after dinner Cognac for a Speyside Whisky drinker. $49 » Read Full Review $58 Ferrand 10 Générations VSOP Cognac A good sipper but the touch of extra ABV and spice on the finish makes this seem like it was made for cocktail applications. $58 » Read Full Review $28 Nyak Peach Brandy A fun and vibrantly peachy Brandy that will be great as a cocktail modifier; your great Aunt will go nuts for this. $28 » Read Full Review $66 Reviseur Single Estate VSOP Cognac Rich red fruit balanced with a nice interplay of vanilla and cocoa from the oak; exactly what you want from a VSOP Cognac. $66 » Read Full Review Shortcut: https://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Spirits/Review-2023-09-01-Brandy.aspx