Brandy in the simplest sense is distilled wine. This is a spirit worth taking some extra time with. When you try it, let the spirit settle for a bit in the glass, give it a swirl and enjoy the aroma before you ever taste it.
Grapes are the catalyst for the robust and smooth flavor. All French brandies made in the Cognac region earn the distinction of being called a Cognac brandy. Most Cognac’s are only made with one specific type of grape and tend to have a lighter taste of orange or apricot. All Cognac must be double distilled in a copper pot still. Once the Cognac is put into oak barrels, the taste will begin to take on barrel characteristics. All other brandies made in the world use this same process but can never use Cognac in their name. There are three main levels of Brandy:
VS (Very Special) | This is a brandy aged in oak barrels for at least two years.
VSOP (Very Special Old Pale) | The youngest brandy in the blend is four years.
XO (Extra Old) | The youngest brandy in this blend is six years, which is largely made of older brandy, upwards of 20 years.
2 oz. brandy
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz. grenadine
1 egg white
scotch, to rinse
Rinse a glass with the scotch and set aside. Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Fine-strain into the prepared glass.