‘A Taste of Heaven: The History and Making of Brandy.’
Brandy—a heavenly spirit with a most distinguished taste. Its sweet aroma, smooth taste and the warmth of the alcohol make it not just the ideal accompaniment to a cold winter evening, but a must-have in any home or bar. You may be curious to learn more about the amazing history and production of this popular spirit—from its humble beginnings as a Medieval/Renaissance medicinal drink to where it stands in our modern drinking culture. In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the remarkable journey of Brandy.
While it is widely known that Brandy has been around for centuries, many people may not be aware of the fascinating origins of this versatile and timeless spirit. In fact, the history of Brandy dates all the way back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, when it was widely used as a medicinal drink throughout Europe. For example, a popular remedy for digestive problems in the 15th century was to drink a glass of Brandy with added spices and herbs. The same practise was known to take place in the 19th century, where Brandy and Benedictine liqueur, which was first produced in the 1600s, were often prescribed by doctors to help heal ailments such as sore throats and headaches.
Brandy is distilled from a fermented fruit mash, and can be made from grapes, apples, pears and other fruits. The distillation process is what makes Brandy unique. Distillation is done by heating up the alcoholic content of a particular type of liquid to get rid of it’s impurities, such as water. Once the alcoholic content is removed, the pure alcohol vapour is cooled down and condensed back into a liquid. This final product is what we know as Brandy.
In its early days, Brandy was made solely from grapes, and was shipped in a variety of barrels and containers. The most popular containers were made of wood, such as the traditional French oak barrels. These barrels allowed the Brandy to breathe and develop unique aromas and flavours as it aged. As the years passed and new distillation practices developed, Brandy began to be made from different fruits, such as apples and pears. While grapes were still the most common type of fruit used, these other fruity variants made Brandy even more popular in Europe and beyond.
In the modern era, Brandy is an incredibly popular spirit, found in bars and homes around the world. Largely due to humans innate curiosity and desire to explore new flavours and aromas, the production of Brandy today is quite diverse. Aside from the traditional grape and other fruit varieties, producers have started exploring new flavours, such as cinnamon and honey, to create unique and innovative blends. This makes it easier than ever to enjoy the unique taste of Brandy, no matter what kind of taste you are looking for.
No matter if you’re a fan of the classic grape Brandy or trying something a bit more modern and innovative, there’s no doubt that Brandy is a must-have for any home or bar. From its years as a medicinal remedy to where it stands today as one of the world’s most beloved spirits, it’s certainly a drink that has stood the test of time.