Starting off on Brandy

El Siglo

I'd like to try and get into brandy, but I'm lost at to what brandy I should start off with? I've drank some Hennessy vs and that but when it comes to spirits I mainly stick to paddy etc... but I never really got into brandy and I would like to now. Any suggestions on a brandy for a beginner?

Carawaystick

My tip - try it after a meal, when you've had some wine. leave it warm up by cradling the snifter.

It is a digestive aid - it cuts through a rich meal
but It's strong - the wine ( or other lower alcohol drink) takes the sharpness of the 40% spirit off and allows (me anyway) enjoy the taste easier than stone cold sober.

Obviously the dearer the nicer - like almost all aged spirits. I had XO for 11euros a glass before twas like nectar - even mrs Carawaystick thought it was gorgeous and she only drinks whiskey with coca cola...

Spanish brandy is an exception - they are allowed determine the age by the oldest brandy in the mix, not the youngest like most other spirits.....

I like Armangnac - It's from the south of France and it's a bit coarser than cognac but has more flavour. and there's more variety. but that's me.

I suppose you could get martell and hennessey in most pubs - then upmarket places might have more types but you could taste test the 2 types for a tenner and see what you think.

Brandy and Ginger ale is my all time hangover cure for when nothing else works...

El Siglo

Thank's a million Carawaystick, I really appreciate that advice!

Carawaystick

If you can drink and enjoy a sip of neat whiskey, then brandy should be ok.

I had some hundred year old spanish brandy on my Honeymoon. Waiteress opened the seal on the bottle and poured about a quarter pint into a huge snifter. I though it'd be smoother than a baby's bum but 'twas harsh enough, but tasty - especially towards the end....
Torres is the main Spanish brand. They have 5 and 10 year old I've seen about in bars here.
It's sweeter than most brandy's though.

There's Courvoisier and Remy Martin are common brands of cognac ( a type of french brandy) widely available in most pubs too.

A bottle'd set you back between 25 and 30 euros here - so make sure you like the taste before buying a bottle that is only used to light the Christmas Pudding....

El Siglo

Excellent advice Carawaystick thanks a million again, I really do appreciate all that advice. Would you add water to your brandy or just leave it as it is, I know some people who add 7 up and baileys, are these mixers ill adviced or what way should one proceed in this regard?

Carawaystick

I'd never add anything other than ginger to brandy and only then if I was hanging....

straight, no ice.

El Siglo

Excellent, straight no ice, got ya!;) Thanks again! I know I keep saying thanks but this info is gold for someone starting off, and I don't want to make a balls of it and be put off of brandy.