Currency and Delivery Country

We're just loading our login box for you, hang on!

Brandy

The word brandy comes from a Dutch word, brandewijn, meaning burnt wine. Brandy usually refers to distilled wine just as whisky is essentially distilled ale. Initially brandy would have been what we would think of as an eaux-de-vie, an unaged spirit, but it was noted how long storage in oak could create something special. Nowadays the word ‘brandy’ usually refers to an aged spirit. The most famous varieties of brandy both come from France: Cognac to the north of the city of Bordeaux, and Armagnac in the south west of the country. The other notable brandy superpowers are Spain, most notably with Brandy de Jerez from the sherry region, and South Africa. You will also find fine brandies from Armenia, Italy, Georgia, Germany, America, and Greece in the form of Metaxa which is flavoured with wine and herbs. Wherever wine is made, you will find brandy.

In addition to grape brandies, there are also fruit brandies, the most notable of which is Calvados which is made from apples in Normandy. Many so-called fruit brandies, however, are made from a mixture of fruit, sugar and neutral alcohol rather than distilled from fruit so are labelled as liqueurs.

Whichever fruit is used to make the brandy, producers will crush and ferment it to create a wine or cider. Distillation usually takes place in a two-stage batch process as in Cognac but in some regions such as Armagnac a short column is more traditional. Ageing usually takes place in a mixture of old and new barrels so that the wood flavour doesn’t become too strong. Traditionally European oak would be used but some producers are experimenting with American or even Japanese oak as well as cask finishes. Most will be diluted and sometimes sweetened before bottling.

Cognac Park 1978 Vintage Fins Bois

70cl, 43%
Distillerie Tessendier & Fils

A very impressive vintage release from Coganc Park, produced back in 1978 entirely from ugni blanc grapes from the Fins Bois region before being rested in French oak. Presented in a gold wax-sealed…  More info

Cognac Park 1978 Vintage Fins Bois
£279.99

Cognac Park 1977 Vintage Fins Bois

70cl, 40%
Distillerie Tessendier & Fils

A vintage Cognac from Park, a brand that belongs to Distillerie Tessendier & Fils, a family-owned Cognac house that dates back to the 1880s. This comes only from Fins Bois vineyards and is made from…  More info

Cognac Park 1977 Vintage Fins Bois
£294.99

Château de Léberon 1988

50cl, 44.9%
Château de Léberon

Single vintage Armagnac from the experts at Château de Léberon! But which vintage, you ask? 1988 was the year that this expression was distilled, back when people wore pyjamas and lived life slow.…  More info

Château de Léberon 1988
£145

Darroze 57 Year Old 1935 Des Chais De Francis - Unique Collection

70cl, 40%
Darroze

Another incredibly impressive Bas Armagnac from the Darroze Unique Collection! This one has has seen over a whopping half a century of ageing after it was distilled all the way back in 1935. It was…  More info

Darroze 57 Year Old 1935 Des Chais De Francis - Unique Collection
£1,798.52

Hermitage 1967 Petite Champagne Cognac

70cl, 41%
Hermitage

An incredibly well-aged and impressive 1967 vintage Petite Champagne Cognac from Hermitage. It was crafted using Ugni Blanc and possibly Folle Blanche grapes, then double distilled and matured in…  More info

Hermitage 1967 Petite Champagne Cognac
£466.68

Héritage René Riviére Grand Hommage (cask 13)

70cl, 40%
Heritage René Riviére

A Borderies Cognac here from the Héritage René Riviére, drawn from a single barrique - barrique #13, if you were wondering.  More info

Héritage René Riviére Grand Hommage (cask 13)
£1,425.06

Villa Zarri 25 Anniversary

70cl, 45%
Villa Zarri

A celebratory brandy from Italy's Villa Zarri, made using a selection of well-aged brandies. This is the sort of tipple you enjoy on special occasions, raising a glass and saying a toast and all…  More info

Villa Zarri 25 Anniversary
£140.95

Hermitage Paradis 1890 Grande Champagne Cognac

70cl, 42%
Hermitage

A remarkable bottling here from the equally remarkable folks at Hermitage. We didn't mistype here, the vintage of this Grande Champagne Cognac really is 1890, which is rather astonishing! Having…  More info

Hermitage Paradis 1890 Grande Champagne Cognac
£5,820

Clés des Ducs Millésimé 1960

70cl, 40%
Clés des Ducs

This is a single vintage Armagnac from Clés des Ducs and its Millésimé range. The series spans an array of decades, reaching back into the past to bring us some incredible expressions - like this…  More info

Clés des Ducs Millésimé 1960
£802.64

Clés des Ducs Millésimé 1950

70cl, 40%
Clés des Ducs

The Clés des Ducs Millésimé range is home to an impressive selection of single vintage Armagnacs spanning many decades - like this one, for example. This expression was distilled all the way back in…  More info

Clés des Ducs Millésimé 1950
£1,760.28

Clés des Ducs Millésimé 1940

70cl, 40%
Clés des Ducs

A long ol' time ago, before mobile phones even had polyphonic ringtones, this single vintage Armagnac from Clés des Ducs was distilled. Specifically, it was distilled in 1940! Another fantastic…  More info

Clés des Ducs Millésimé 1940
£2,479.68

Clés des Ducs Millésimé 1930

70cl, 40%
Clés des Ducs

A 1930 vintage Armagnac from Clés des Ducs! Yes, you read that correctly, this expression was distilled all the way back in 1930, long before people even thought about using the Internet to find out…  More info

Clés des Ducs Millésimé 1930
£1,950

Remi Landier Heritage Coupe N°2

70cl, 45%
Remi Landier

A rather excellent Fins Bois Cognac from Remi Landier, presented as part of their Heritage series. Hugely expressive...  More info

Remi Landier Heritage Coupe N°2
£395.95

Château de Léberon 1980

50cl, 47.9%
Château de Léberon

This Château de Léberon single vintage Armagnac was distilled in 1980 - when the world suddenly decided that denim jackets, massive collars and keytars were cool.  More info

Château de Léberon 1980
£220.75

Bisquit Interlude (cask 79)

70cl, 40%
Bisquit Dubouché et Cie

A particularly decadent expression from Bisquit, made using rare, long-aged stocks from their extensive cellars. It comes from a collection formed of 20 barrel - each year, just two of the barrels…  More info

Bisquit Interlude (cask 79)
£600

Hermitage 1947 Grande Champagne Cognac

70cl, 41.5%
Hermitage

A superbly balanced brandy from an exceedingly rare vintage, this 1947 Grande Champagne Cognac is a real showstopper. It was distilled over 70 years ago using traditional Charentaise distillation…  More info

Hermitage 1947 Grande Champagne Cognac
£900.95

Château de Léberon 1962

50cl, 40.1%
Château de Léberon

Very well-aged Armagnac from Château de Léberon, distilled all the way back in 1962. Château de Léberon only release Armagnac as single vintage expressions, and they make marvellous gifts for the…  More info

Château de Léberon 1962
£460

Hermitage 1944 Grande Champagne Cognac

70cl, 43%
Hermitage

Another stunning Cognac from Hermitage, an outstanding independent bottler of brandy. The recipient of a Gold Outstanding Award at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2018, this 1944 Grande…  More info

Hermitage 1944 Grande Champagne Cognac
£922

Hermitage 1923 Grande Champagne Cognac

70cl, 43%
Hermitage

Yet another astounding bottling from Hermitage - this Grande Champagne Cognac was distilled all the way back in 1923! It was made from Ugni Blanc grapes and distilled in wood-fired stills before…  More info

Hermitage 1923 Grande Champagne Cognac
£1,175

Hine VSOP Gift Pack with 2x Glasses - 1980s

68cl, 40%
Hine

This collectible bottle of Hine VSOP Fine Champagne Coganc is from the 1980s, and comes with two very round brandy glasses. You can still find the brand today, and though the label is different, the…  More info

Hine VSOP Gift Pack with 2x Glasses - 1980s
£180

Hermitage 1938 Grande Champagne Cognac

70cl, 40.5%
Hermitage

Sophisticated, rare and extremely old, this Grande Champagne Cognac was crafted from Ugni Blanc from the 1938 harvest. It was distilled in a 25-hectolitre traditional Charentais Alembic still with an…  More info

Hermitage 1938 Grande Champagne Cognac
£990

Hermitage 65 Year Old Petite Champagne Cognac

70cl, 48%
Hermitage

Hermitage has bottled a host of incredible brandies, but this 65 Year Old Petite Champagne Cognac is a definite stand out. This exceptional bottling was made with Ugni Blanc grapes from Reaux in the…  More info

Hermitage 65 Year Old Petite Champagne Cognac
£711

Hermitage 1893 Paradis Grande Champagne Cognac

70cl, 41.3%
Hermitage

The folks at Hermitage have a history of getting their hands on some incredibly hard to find Cognacs, and they've done it again. This astonishing bottling is a Cognac from the Grande Champagne region…  More info

Hermitage 1893 Paradis Grande Champagne Cognac
£4,513.14

Hermitage Marie Louise

100cl, 43%
Hermitage

Hermitage are the folks to thank for this extraordinary 60 year old Cognac. The independent bottlers sourced it from one of the region's finest artisan producers, who crafted the Cognac from Ugni…  More info

Hermitage Marie Louise
£1,850

Hermitage 1950 Grande Champagne Cognac

70cl, 41.5%
Hermitage

An outstanding Grande Champagne Cognac from independent brandy bottler Hermitage, distilled all the way back in 1950! Heavy on the rancio notes, with a zesty kick of orange peel balancing it out.…  More info

Hermitage 1950 Grande Champagne Cognac
£722.95

Recently viewed