Brandy
Brandy is a wine spirit i.e it is produced by distilling wine. The term ‘brandy’ comes from a Dutch word ‘brandewijn’ (meaning burned wine). It stands for the ‘liquor distilled from pomace, fruit mash or wine. Eau de vie is another term for the products obtained from the process. Eau de vie means ‘Water of Life’. It is an after dinner drink, usually enjoyed as an digestif around the world. The alcohol content in brandy varies between 35% – 60%.
As believed, the distillation of wine was started by a Dutch merchant in order to make it easier to transport. Also, there is a theory that believes wine was distilled in order to lessen the tax which was implied as per the volume. The purpose behind the practice was to add the water before the consumption. The distilled product was stored in wooden cask, giving a better beverage. So yes, it is safe to say that brandy has Dutch origins.
During the 15th century, in the triangle trades the guards were paid Portuguese Wines. Up until the 16th century, when brandy replaced the wines as the exchange spirit, only to be replaced by rum in the late 17th century.

There are various types of brandies available in the world. Some brandies are aged in wooden cask, some are added with caramel colouring to make it look like it’s been aged and some are mixed with both (aged and coloured brandies). But as other distilled liquors, brandy does not improve after bottling. Though there are many variants of brandy, but some of the most recognised brandies in the world would be Cognac, Armagnac, Metaxa and Pisco.
Armagnac
The name armagnac is given to the brandies produced in Gascony area of France. It is distilled and then aged in Oak casks. Armagnac was also the first distilled liquor in France. It is required to maintain the traditional method of producing the armagnac brandy. The significant thing about armagnac is that they have vintage traits to offer.
Cognac
For cognac, it is said that ‘all cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are cognac”. Cognac is considered to be the best brandy of all. The name cognac for this brandy comes from the region in France, Cognac. Only a brandy produced in Cognac can be referred to as cognac brandy. Any other identical brandy, produced elsewhere can not be termed as cognac. Cognac is produced from the double distillation of wine. Cognac too is required to be prepared by the traditional techniques only.
Metaxa
Metaxa is a Greek Brandy produced by diluting the aged cask brandy. It was first introduced in the year 1888 by Spyros Metaxa. Spyros Metaxa along with his brothers Elias and Alexander established their first distillery in 1888 in the Port of Athens.
Pisco
Pisco is basically a distillation of Peru wines and produced in Peru and Chile only. The name pisco was given to it after a port in Peru of the same name. Chile and Peru are always in spat for the rights to produce and sell pisco.
Armagnac and Cognac comes in different grades such as XO, VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Original Pale), Napoléon and Hors d’âge.
I didn’t knew anyone can be so intrigued to research so vastly on brandy. Or should I say, spirits.
Such info about brandy is gem and this website is a treasure of liquor facts.
I love cognac.
I’m a cheap drunk so brandy might probably be too much for me lol
I have always admired brandy, but just enjoyed it, never researched on it so much. 😛
Interesting read, always an intriguing article if it’s related to something significant, something from the history. Branddyyy!
I have a collection of Metaxa and Cognac of my own. They are my gems.
Brandy is a classic drink, of elegance.
I am not really brandy person, more of a bourbon guy but this post was very intriguing.
Surely brandy is a grown man’s drink. Aged, strong and flavourful. Grown with time, and palatable.
I have never been a brandy drinker, and I still don’t know why. But, after reading your post, I might just give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
Got shooked on this article and now I miss alcohol esp. with this lockdown, nice one and thanks for sharing here 🙂
Wow well-written article about brandy, I really like your blog
I actually love cognac but I never knew sooooooooo many details about it. Well researched Sherlock!
I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever had brandy. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try I just have never bitten the bullet and gotten any. I seriously need to though. This is a great guide though, I wasn’t aware there was so many different types
I don’t drink brandy or any kind of wine but honestly this is a great review I’ve learn something to this post!
Brandy is really amazing and i love the taste.. But not yet tried so many brands but after your review i would love to check out.
Never tried brandy before. Interesting to learn so much about a drink 🙂
Even though I am not a brandy person, I have tried Cognac and I have liked it.
It is good information about brandy.
“during the 15th century, in the triangle trades the guards were paid Portuguese Wines”.
Great Info
I didn’t know Brandy was a distilled wine – neither did my husband. That may be the reason I really don’t like it – I am not a wine fan.
That cannot be the reason, as the taste is very different. Brandy gets its most flavours from the reactions in oak barrels used to age it. And every aged spirit is different from the other, try any permutation, even if the concentration is same and were barrelled side by side.
Plus wines are pretty smooth and brandy is very strong.
Wow, I never knew the history of brandy, so cool. I would definitely accept payment in wine. 😉
This is really informative. I am really into Cognac but still, I learnt something new today 🙂
I’ve never heard of Pisco or Metaxa before! Thanks for the information,
Liiisten, this article just gave us LIFE!! Actually let hubby read it too, great insights. It’s great reading about the origins. Hubby learned a thing or two about his favorite brands.
I learned so much of Brandy that I never knew before. I am not big on drinking but this was interesting!
I have never tried Brandy. I’ve just never been a fan of dark liquor.
I’ve always admired brandy, but I enjoyed it, I never did that much research. (Y)
Brandy is a classic drink, of elegance.
I don’t drink so I always feel left out from parties! But now I have something to talk about from this information! It’s so detailed