![]() ![]() ![]() St-Rémy is a classic French gateway brandy. This is starting to get into workhorse brandy territory with applications in cocktails, highballs, and on the rocks working well with this expression. Cigar smoke, oily espresso beans, and freshly ground allspice round out the sip before it reaches a dry finish. There’s a matrix of spices at play, with cloves out front. Notes of fatty hazelnuts and dry Champagne grapes lead the way. That addition of the real-deal stuff from France sets this brandy above the rest of the pack. This expression is the blend of Paul Masson’s Grand Amber (above) and imported Cognac. This is one of the better brandies you’ll find for under $20 in the U.S. We can’t go on without hitting on Paul Masson’s VSOP. Paul Masson Grande Amber VSOP Brandy Paul Masson Still, give it shot on the rocks or in a highball with some fizzy water to cool it down. We’re still squarely in the mixing category with this one. The end is bold and long-lasting with a return of the warming spice alongside a little bit of oak. Cream soda dominates the palate with a wisp of bourbon vanilla, maple syrup, and plummy sherry. Wet brown sugar mingles with baking spices and a note of sunny meadows. Pour some of this over a sponge cake or ice cream and you’ve got a nice boozy bump to that dessert. ![]() You can drink this stuff in a highball or cocktail. The juice is aged for two years before bottling, making it pretty versatile at this price point. Use it for that! It also works really well with cola (especially Coke).Į&J VSOP hails from the iconic Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery in Modesto, California. There’s a slight minerality with a clear note of vinous grapes on the warming finish. The oak comes through with a hint of spice. There’s a clear sense of caramel that leans towards a butterscotch sweetness. This Sonoma brandy actually gains a lot of depth over its two years in the barrel. As with all the brandies on this list, that also makes it the perfect candidate for a hot toddy. Korbel is a must-have for whipping up Wisconsin’s favorite drink, the brandy old fashioned. Brandy old fashioned, eggnog, mulled wine, and the aforementioned hot toddy are all viable candidates. This is solidly in the “mixing” category. That light spice carries on to a thin, sweet finish. Light touches of bitterness and black pepper spice mingle with the caramel sweetness. According to the label, this brandy spends three years aging in oak before going into the bottle.Ī distant note of grape juice underpins clear bourbon caramel and vanilla flavors. The grapes are grown in California and the brandy is aged and bottled in Kentucky. This American brandy is a blend of California winemaking and Kentucky bourbon ingenuity. Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy Paul Masson Regardless, the info and the bottles here should get you started on your brandy journey, just in time for the beginning of the holiday season. often use the French designations with zero respect for the age regulations they’re meant for, which adds a confusing wrinkle. ![]() Of course, there are different words for each of these terms if the brandy is from, say, Spain. And, lastly, there’s “Hors d’âge” which means the brandy is aged for up to ten years or longer. “XO” means “extra old” and is a blend of at least six-year-old brandies (sometimes this is called “Napoléon” as well). “VSOP” means “very superior old pale” and is a blend of at least four-year-old brandies. A quick note on deciphering brandy labels before we begin: In general, you’ll see VS, VSOP, and XO on bottles, like “Hennessey VSOP.” “VS” means “very special” and is a blend of at least two-year-old brandies. Perfect if you’re whipping up a batch of hot toddies to fight the cold winter nights. The 15 bottles below are our picks for the best cheap bottles of brandy to buy right now. Any of these bottles would make a great bottle to bring to Thanksgiving dinner or gift for the dark spirits lover in your life. So while our parameter here is “under $30,” we’re not talking about swill. There’s a lot of quality juice at affordable price points - due to the fact that a fair amount of it is made here in the U.S. It’s always a good time for tasty, cheap brandy. ![]()
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