Osborne 1866 Solera Gran Reserva Brandy, 1 x 700ml

Product Information

Andorra is not part of the European Union, therefore, the country’s trade policy is not affected by the strict European regulations of the alcohol market. In addition, Andorra today has the lowest VAT rate in Europe, which is fixed for all types of goods (including alcohol) at 4.5%. Andorra has also no excise on alcohol trade, which is actively practiced by the pan-European taxation on alcohol policy. The production of sherry brandy starts with a young, neutral, white base wine. Well, neutral is already a positive description. They are rather course wines with a high acidity, not exactly enjoyable on their own. Indeed, in the IWSC’s top spirits of 2022, you’ll find a strong selection of whiskies, ranging from modern American bourbon to traditional, aged Scotch. There’s also a strong range of gins, with European entries shining brightly at the awards – you’ll find bottles from Estonia and the UK in the list below.

I find it a little strange that a Málaga-based brandy that wasn’t certified to be a Brandy de Jerez can be “transformed” into a premium sherry brandy with certification. Let’s assume they have greatly upgraded the liquid itself too. Mind that this review was written based on the old version (bottled +/- 2016). Lepanto is the only brandy distilled entirely in pot stills and the only one actually distilled in JerezTop rum: Holyrood Distillery, Elizabeth Yard Diamond Distillery 10 YO Ungrogged American Oak Octave Rum the standard Lepanto Solera Gran Reserva which is finished in sweet Oloroso casks (which held Matusalem sherry)

Top single malt scotch 15 YO and under: Chivas Brothers, Ballantine’s The Glenburgie 12 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky Lepanto is the flagship brandy from González Byass. Its solera was established in 1896, although González Byass had been producing brandy since the 1840s. A family in the sign of Taurus. Osborne, the company was founded more than 200 years ago in the southern Spanish town of El Puerto de Santa María. With the success of innovation and expansion Continuous innovation and expansion characterize the success story of the family business: founded in 1772 with a small bodega for sherry, the family, the company expanded gradually from – first the mid-19th Century in the main segment of brandy. Osborne has expanded in leaps and bounds by the spread of Brandy Osborne on the Spanish market.The emblem of Spain embodies the same temperament, expression and character of Osborne products: Of the full-bodied and powerful brandies on the mild yet spicy sherry to the spirited Solaz wines offers Osborne a wide array of individual flavors. The Osborne House has combined the 18th Century tradition with the highest standards. Due to the outstanding quality, timely and exports a far-sighted marketing at times, not even when this concept existed, the Osborne products have gained international recognition. Even after more than 200 years, is now in its sixth generation to run family tradition. Mouth: medium body, fairly sweet and oaky. There’s a vague fruity note (maybe orange or peach candy), light hints of Oloroso (dried fruits, raisins, light nuts) and plenty of caramel and cocoa. Some mintiness from the wood as well.

Maturation in sherry casks

A lot of bodegas also have ultra-premium brandies of very high ages, e.g. El Maestro Sierra Brandy Gran Reserva (40+ yo), Romate Cardenal Mendoza Non Plus Ultra (50+ yo) or Bodegas Tradición Brandy Platinum (50+ yo). Every last Thursday of November at midnight, a celebration of Beaujolais Nouveau is widely celebrated. Nose: rather oaky, with pencil shavings and peppery notes. Hints of vanilla, orange peels and brown sugar. Underneath is an alcoholic note, making it a bit rougher than I’d like. Brandy de Jerez or Sherry Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine, just like cognac, armagnac or grappa. You could say it’s a side product of sherry production as the barrels in which the brandy ages are first seasoned with sherry wine.

In Jerez they make a difference between three types of spirits based on their strength and volatile aromatics: Top single malt scotch 16-25 YO: The GlenDronach Distillery, 16 YO Boynsmill Single Malt Scotch Whisky In 2009 the brands Veterano (from Osborne) and Soberano (from González Byass), once market leaders in the category of Brandy de Jerez, decided to lower their alcohol volume below the required minimum of 36% set by the Consejo Regulador. First to 33% and then as low as 30%. This strategic decision placed them outside of the denomination of origin and meant they could no longer use the name. Instead they are now simply spirit drinks which have totally different rules and therefore a much lower production cost. They’re not necessarily pure wine spirits and they’re much younger than the original Brandy de Jerez.

Bodegas Osborne S.a.u.

Little is known about the product itself, except that it is produced from Airén grapes from La Mancha and aged in a system of criaderas and solera. The spirits are matured for a minimum of 12 years in Fino sherry casks (ex-Tio Pepe) in a traditional solera system. Recent bottles seem to mention the age on the label but on my bottle this wasn’t the case. Keep in mind that there is a version at 36% ABV and another one at 40% ABV. I guess this is specific to the market you’re in and due to legal requirements or commercial strategy (same thing happens with their entry-level brandy Soberano).

Mouth: very smooth, slightly sweeter than expected. Still a light (now slightly syrupy) fruitiness with more pronounced vanilla. Golden raisins, almonds and honey again. Hints of praline and latte in the end. Medium length, raisiny finish. Status: New application awaiting assignment to an examining attorney. See current trademark processing wait times for more information. Just like sherry in general, Brandy de Jerez is matured using the traditional system of Soleras and Criaderas. By periodically topping up casks with slightly younger brandy from the previous row, the bottom row will contain a consistent blend of brandies from different ages. Gonzalez Byass Lepanto uses a double distillation process in copper pot stills, like in the old days. Los servicios de terceros son ajenos al control del editor. Los proveedores pueden modificar en todo momento sus

Brandy 1866 Solera Gran Reserva (40%, Osborne, Brandy)

So a higher alcohol strength means less flavour congeners. To create a Brandy de Jerez you can use all three types of spirits. However the lower strength (less pure) holandas must always represent a minimum of 50% of the final brandy to guarantee enough typical flavours.