Spanish cognac: types, photos, reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Of course, Spanish cognac is a phrase that should not exist, since cognac is a brandy from the French province of the same name and, by definition, cannot be produced in Italy. So this alcohol should be called "brandy".

Spanish cognac is made exclusively in the Jerez region, and aged in barrels of strong white wine of the same name.

Production process

Brandy in Spain is produced in the same way as in France. For its production, Palomino and Airen grape varieties are taken here. In this region, distillation is carried out in two ways:

1. The wine is distilled through a continuous cycle column (distillate).
2. They use copper alambicas, which are melted with holm oak (olands).

In the first variant, the drink turns out to be mediocre, it does not have a bright bouquet. Its strength is up to 95%. If Spanish cognac is made in the second way, then a drink with an incredible aroma and a strength of 40-70 degrees is obtained.

Two times a distillate in Spain almost neverdistilled. The masters of this country believe that each subsequent procedure "steals" the aroma. And this is one of the main distinguishing features of Spanish brandy.

After distillation, the drink is considered semi-finished, and then it is sent for aging using the Solera system. This means that young alcohol is added to aged alcohol at some point.

Requirements for "sherry brandy"

This name belongs to the category of controlled origin, and therefore the Spanish cognac, the photo of which is in the article, must meet certain requirements:

• Brandy is produced in the Jerez region.
• Ageing takes place in American oak barrels, in which sherry was previously aged.
• The solera and criadera systems are used to age the drink.

The taste of a strong drink for the most part depends not so much on the production technology or aging, but on the barrel and the type of wine previously contained in it.

As Spanish cognac ages, its strength decreases. Usually the drink after aging has 36-45% alcohol content. If the strength is higher at the exit, the drink is diluted with water.

History of Spanish brandy

This strong spirit can only be produced in the "Jerez Triangle", which is located in Andalusia. A very long time ago, this area was inhabited by the Moors, who did not drink wine due to a religious ban.

But the idea to distill fermented juice belonged to them. They used the distillate exclusively inthe benefit of medicine. But there is still no exact answer to the question of who thought of aging grape alcohol.

But there is confirmed information that already in 1580 brandy was produced so zealously that the government decided to impose an additional tax on it.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries, the production of Spanish strong alcohol was commercial. It was exported to Western and Northern Europe. The largest buyer was the Netherlands, and already representatives of this country distributed Spanish cognac around the world. Hence the second name of brandy - holandas.

Types of Spanish cognac

Classification of brandy is based on aging and content of volatile substances (aroma intensity depends on their concentration):

• Solera is kept for at least six months, and the concentration of volatile substances is 2 g/l. Most often, the composition of such a drink includes 50% distillate and 50% olands.
• Solera Reserva is a brandy that has been aged for at least three years. Volatile substances - 2.5 g / l. This drink contains only 25% distillate, everything else is olands.
• Grand Reserve is aged eight to ten years. Volatile substances – 3 g/l.

Judging by the reviews of Spanish cognac, it is very soft and incredibly fragrant, but at the same time much cheaper than French drinks. That is why sherry brandy has more and more fans every year.

Top brandy brands

The first place is occupied by the Spanish cognac "Torres". This isCatalan brand, which has a rich centuries-old history. The company was founded in 1870, but the production of strong alcohol was opened here only in 1928. This manufacturer has in its assortment not only high-class brandy, but also a wide range of wines. This brand has received many international awards.

The next stamp is "Soberano". This brand is one of the oldest. Brandy has been produced here since 1896. The main grape variety for production is Airen. This drink has a balanced bouquet, the main notes of which will be citrus oils, vanilla, dark chocolate and figs.

Gonzales Byass is considered another worthy competitor for Torres. This brand has won the title of "Spanish Manufacturer of the Year" several times.

"Cardinal Mendoza" - a brandy with a hundred years of history. Strong drinks have been produced here since 1887.

Sanchez Romate is the favorite brandy of the Spanish royal family and all the nobility. This drink is preferred even in the Vatican.

The most famous brandy from Spain

Spanish cognac "Torres" is in the top 20 best brandies in the world. In the Torres family, they are still faithful to the centuries-old traditions of production. Drinks of this brand will surprise you with their incredible aroma and rich taste. Alcohol of this brand has admirers in every country of the world. Below are the main types of this brand.

Five-year-old Torres

The blend of this drink includes three grape varieties: Parellada, Charello and Macabeo.

UThis brandy has a light, fresh taste with notes of silk and vanilla, walnuts and fruits are heard in the background. Its strength is 38%.

In order for the aroma and taste to fully open, it is better to use it at room temperature. According to reviews, it goes well with coffee and meat dishes. This drink is also included in cocktails.

Ten-year-old Torres

This drink has the golden color of topaz. It has a soft, pleasant aroma that is impossible to forget. It differs from the five-year-old in a mature taste, in which oak notes, prunes and spices are clearly audible. It is this taste that appears after aging for 10 years. Spanish cognac "Torres" ten years old has a strength of 38-40%.

Of course, you can serve brandy at any time of the day, but it works best as a digestif. That is, it is worth drinking a drink after a hearty dinner. Alcohol should be at room temperature.

Fifteen-year-old Torres

This brandy is made only from berries picked in our own vineyards. Only American oak is used for aging. Such a container fills its taste with special notes. Consumers say that the drink has a beautiful color of dark topaz and an aroma rich in spices. A long aftertaste leaves no one indifferent. The strength of the brandy is 40%.

Interesting fact: the fifteen-year-old Torres was created for cocktails. But it can also be served as a digestif. Serving temperature - 18-23degrees.

Twenty-year-old Torres

For the manufacture of this drink, a special grape is used - Parellada. These berries, with the exception of Catalonia, practically do not grow anywhere. The recipe for making twenty-year-old brandy is kept secret. But there are a few well-known facts:

1. Aged in Limousin oak.
2. The first six months of aging takes place in fresh barrels, saturating the drink with a unique aroma.
3. This brandy is double distilled.

According to reviews, the drink has a noble dark amber color, deep, warm aroma of dried fruits. It has a velvety, long aftertaste with fruity tones and hints of spices.

This line of Spanish cognacs really deserves attention. It is with her that you should start your acquaintance with strong alcohol in Spain.