Nowadays almost all bodegas are producing one or more types of brandy. Some of the best known brands are Cardenal Mendoza, Terry Centenario, Gran Duque de Alba or Osborne Magno (which gave us the iconic bull image). 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. Every last Thursday of November at midnight, a celebration of Beaujolais Nouveau is widely celebrated. Although the distillation is certainly important, most of the typical character comes afterwards. Maturation is what turns a regular brandy into sherry brandy.

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. Over the years Osborne has accumulated a whole range of sherry brandies. Some of them originated in the firm (like the iconic Veterano and Magno), but many brands were taken over from other bodegas, such as Domecq or Agustín Blazquez.Nowadays their portfolio exists of the younger Veterano and Magno (sometimes Brandy de Jerez, sometimes simple spirit drinks depending on their ABV and age), the lower-end Carlos III and Felipe II ( Brandy Solera Reserva, under 3 years of age) and the more up-market Carlos I, Alma de Magno and Conde de Osborne ( Brandy Solera Gran Reserva, aged for 3 years or more). 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.

All sherry types are used for brandy maturation, but the most common are Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez which have the richest flavours. Often multiple types of casks are used to give the brandy a complex mixture of flavour profiles. 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).INTENSE AND BALANCED. Mahogany coloured with bright amber tones and topaz highlights. Prevailing aromas of caramel, vanilla, dates and toasted hazelnuts. Smooth on the tongue, with an elegant finish featuring touches of toffee and wood