Top 10 brandies for Christmas 2024
These are our picks for the top 10 brandies for Christmas 2024!
A glass of brandy for Christmas is traditional. An elegant way to celebrate the big day, a good drop of Cognac or otherwise can refine even the most gluttonous, raucous of festivities.
If you’re looking for a brandy to give someone as a Christmas present, or you simply want to find a new favourite for yourself to drink after Christmas dinner then you’re in the right place. Here’s our top 10 brandies for Christmas 2024.
Top 10 brandies for Christmas 2024
Bache Gabrielsen American Oak
Bache Gabrielsen American Oak is lovely in its own right, but also handy for converting whisky fans into the beautiful world of brandy. This French Cognac was finished in new American Tennessee oak barrels for six months to add familiar notes of creamy coconut and oaky vanilla to an already tasty array of flavours like oily toasted nuts, chocolate-coated raisins and tropical fruit.
Delord 15 Year Old Bas Armagnac
Old vintage Armagnac might just be the best value spirit there is. This 15-year-old Bas Armagnac from Delord is actually on the younger side compared to its typical releases, but that means it has this sublime vibrancy that gives a bright, sweeter profile that should appeal to all brandy fans.
Cognac Brugerolle 19 Year Old 1993 (Master of Malt)
We don’t just bottle whisky you know. Yours truly snapped up this 19-year-old expression from Brugerolle but there were only 289 bottles from that single French oak barrel so get it while it’s hot.
Lepanto Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez
As this Gran Reserva proves, Gonzalez Byass’ Lepanto range is an often underrated source of outstanding brandy. It was produced exclusively using Palomino grapes and then aged for years in Fino casks within a Solera system which forged a rich, unctuous profile that ripples with ripe berries, baking spices and indulgent oak.
St Remy Signature Brandy
A smooth, oaky, roasty-toasty treat of a brandy from St-Rémy made following an exploration into new production methods. Namely a double maturation process that began in new Quercus Petraea oak casks with a fine grain, which were toasted using medium and high heat. These casks impart spicy, vibrant tannins. The second maturation occurs in more traditional European oak casks (with a large grain), toasted using high heat only. These casks are more balanced and sweet, helping to mellow the bolder first barrel. Together, they make a beautifully contrasting pair.
Château du Breuil Fine Calvados
You will love these apples. Calvados deserves more spotlight and what better time than Christmas to find a new favourite? If you’re going to explore the world of apple brandy, then taste this serial award-winner from Château du Breuil and you’ll instantly be converted.
Burnt Faith Brandy Batch 001
Burnt Faith presents brandy from Britain. The Walthamstow-based distillery took eaux-de-vie distilled in France and aged it in England in a fascinating mix of casks: Spanish brandy, bourbon, Pineau des Charentes and cherry liqueur. You won’t taste many brandies like this, just check out those reviews!
Pierre Ferrand Ten Générations
Pierre Ferrand’s Grande Champagne Cognac honours ten generations of the Ferrand family members behind the great Cognac house. What better time than Christmas to celebrate our loved ones? Ten Générations gets an extra sweet kick as 20% of the spirit was matured in casks that previously held Sauternes wine.
While sold out (back soon!), you could try the delicious Pierre Ferrand Ambre instead.
Torres 30 Jaime I Brandy
The Torres 30 Jaime I is a showstopper Spanish brandy, the kind you unwrap and everybody stops to take notice. Made from a remarkable blend of old stocks, including spirit from 1972, this is the gift you get if you want to really spoil someone.
St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy (2020 Edition)
St. George Spirits are genuine maverick distillers, creating some of the most innovative products on the market. The spirit of exploration has taken them into apple brandy territory several times, using different apple varieties grown locally on the family-owned farm in Mendocino County. It’s aged in American whiskey and American and French oak wine casks before bottling.
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