Affordable Brandys for Christmas Time

[Ironman06]

I'm very interested in creating a nice spiced holiday brandy for close friends and family this Christmas. As I'm wanting to make a small batch for several families, the volumn can become large pretty quickly.

What brandy would you fine gentlemen suggest I start with? My wife did me a favor and brought home a big "bottle" of E&J VS... but it sounds like that's probably not the ingrediant I should use. I expected to pay more, so don't get caught-up thinking I want to stay in the E&J price range, but I also don't want to pay a high price for something to be spiced with ginger, juniper, orange and other loud flavors.

In fact, after I'm done, I'll post the recipe and give my opinion on it's flavor. It's supposed to age a minimum of 3 weeks before drinking so this is a bit of rush. I'll probably start mixing tonight (Saturday, 12/5).

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Torcams]

I think you're on the right track with E&J or Korbel for creating a heavily spiced drink as you mention.

 

[ratcheer]

Try Christian Bros. Amber VSOP. I think it is a very nice brandy at a very reasonable price.

Tim

 

[Miles]

Yep, Christian Brothers brandy is my go-to for mixed drinks with brandy. It's inexpensive and works fine in cocktails.

I bet you could hit up a bar and ask for a shot of the stuff in case you want to test drive it before you make a purchase.

 

[otherstar]

Here's yet another recommendation of Christian Brothers. Decent, affordable, brandy!

 

[Ironman06]

Thanks for the thoughts so far. I've been busier than expected but I think I'll be able to get this done tomorrow evening (Mon).

 

[Ironman06]

Ok, I got it all mixed yesterday (Wed). Gotta say, I actually tried both E&J and Christian Brothers straight and neither one was really my taste. I'm sort-of a believer in the whole "don't cook with what you wouldn't drink" saying. So, hopefully the spices change things a little. The finishing step is to mix in a simple-syrup which will certainly sweeten things up.

As promised, the recipe I'm using is basically tuned per the 1 jar size. I halved things to fit the smaller jars I owned... still holds quite a bit of brandy. If you're using the full quart sized jar, just double everything!

1 cup of brandy... next time I'll go ahead and spring for the Paul Masson.
2 cinnimon sticks (broken into pieces)
Zest from about 1/3rd of a tangerine (avoiding the white pith)
2 whole cloves
2 whole all spice
2 pepper corns
1 tbls of grated fresh ginger (I omitted this in some jars as I don't care for ginger)
A (small?) amount of fresh shaved nutmeg. My recipe wasn't specific but it was my first time using whole nutmeg in a cheese grater!

Add everything to a tight sealing jar and store for 2 weeks in a cool dark place, shaking the jar daily.

After two weeks, prepare a simple syrup (sugar and water) by combining sugar and water in a saucepan on medium heat. For my smaller jars the amount per jar would be only 1/4 cup of sugar and a 1/4 cup of water. Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool, covered to room temp.

While the syrup cools, use a chees-cloth lined colander or a fine mesh sieve to strain the brandy of the spice/solids. Transfer the strained liqueur liquid to a clean jar that can be used to furhter age/store the liqueur.

When the syrup is cooled, pour it into the jar with the liqueur liquid. Tightly fix the lid and shake to combine. Return to the cool, dark storage for an additional seven days to mellow. This supposely improves with age, but is technically ready to serve at this point.

If anyone gives this a try, let me know your final impressions. I'll do the same.

GOOD LUCK.

PS. I found this recipe on FoodieWithFamily.com. Some very interesting items on there... including a very interesting Egg Nog. That's the next thing I'll try. Hopefully this week, as it too is supposed to be aged for a couple of weeks.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Here's yet another recommendation of Christian Brothers. Decent, affordable, brandy!

I drank an entire bottle of this last winter. It honestly tasted just fine neat, no mixing. Great stuff and the bottle (750ml) was $9 at Bevmo!

 

[ofelas]

Check out Asbach Uralt; it's tastier than almost all French brandies.