It may have all begun in 1857 when Bardinet Brandy was born, but this French institution is definitely not stuck in the past. Sipped alone or with cocktails, Bardinet is a favorite for its delicate aroma and great taste!
Bardinet French Brandy VSOP Brandy has been expertly distilled and matured in oak casks in its own cellars for over 100 years! The brand was founded in 1857 by Paul Bardinet, a French entrepreneur who had a passion for creating exceptional spirits. Using traditional methods that have been passed down through the generations, Bardinet’s French heritage is evident.
Over the years, Bardinet has become one of the world’s top 10 internationally-sold brandies, and the 3rd biggest-selling French-made brandy. They were awarded two gold medals for its VSOP and XO at The Spirits Business 2020 Brandy Masters, as well as a silver medal at the IWSC and the bronze medal at The New York International Spirit Competition.
What is Bardinet Brandy
Bardinet brandy is crafted using traditional techniques in heart of the Domaine de Fleurenne estate, in the region of Bordeaux. The brandy is made using high-quality grapes that are selected for their flavor and aroma. The grapes are then fermented to create a wine that is then distilled to create the brandy.
The distillation process is critical to the quality of the brandy. Bardinet uses copper pot stills to distill the wine, which helps to retain the those aforementioned flavors and aromas! After distillation, the brandy is aged in charred oak casks for a minimum of two years. The aging process allows the brandy to develop its character and complexity, as it absorbs flavors from the oak barrels.
Once the brandy has been aged, it is carefully blended to achieve the desired flavor profile that makes it Bardinet. The brandy is then bottled!
Overall, Bardinet brandy is crafted with care and attention to detail, using traditional techniques that have been perfected over centuries. The result is a smooth, flavorful brandy that is perfect for sipping on its own or mixing into cocktails.
Bardinet Brandy Varieties
Bardinet has a few different expressions!
Bardinet VSOP
Bardinet VSOP is has a bright amber color and a fruity nose with scents of peach and fig. On the palate, it is well-balanced and delicate, with notes of autumn fruits. The finish is long and oaky with notes of sweet raisins. Bardinet VSOP has an ABV of 36% and is perfect for enjoying neat, on ice, or in a long drink.
Bardinet XO
Bardinet XO is their more luxurious brandy that has been aged for a minimum of 10 years in oak casks. It has a deep amber color with rich hints of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. On the palate, it is smooth and complex with flavors of vanilla, honey, and toasted oak. The finish is long and warming with notes of dark chocolate. Bardinet XO has an ABV of 40% and is best enjoyed neat or on ice.
Bardinet Coffee
Bardinet Coffee is the newest blend combining premium brandy and coffee. It has a rich, dark color with aromas of freshly brewed coffee and mellow taste of vanilla and caramel. On the palate, it is smooth and velvety with flavors of roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate. The finish is long and sweet with notes of toffee and vanilla. Bardinet Coffee has an ABV of 25% and is perfect for sipping after dinner.
Where you can buy Bardinet Brandy
UK: VSOP: You can find at Amazon.
Coffee: You can find at Master of Malt
USA: Check your local liquor store!
How to enjoy Bardinet Brandy
Neat
Bardinet VSOP Brandy can be enjoyed neat, which means it is served at room temperature in a brandy snifter glass. This allows the drinker to appreciate the brandy’s aroma and taste without any added mixers or ice.
With Ice
For those who prefer their brandy chilled, Bardinet VSOP Brandy can be served with ice. The ice can be added directly to the brandy snifter glass or served in a separate glass to be added as desired. The addition of ice can mellow the flavor of the brandy and make it more refreshing.
In Cocktails
Bardinet VSOP Brandy can also be used in cocktails, adding a rich and complex flavor to the drink. Some popular cocktails that use brandy include the Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, Vieux Carré, and even just with ginger ale.
Here are a few cocktails I created specially for Bardinet!
Why Lush Life loves it
Bardinet is fabulous in cocktails! I was asked to create cocktails a few years ago with Bardinet and they were no only fun to make but tasted great! and they were a hit! Try it anyway and you will always get a fabulous experience!
More Lush Guides to Liquor!
Want to know more about the spirits that go into your cocktails? Check out my Lush Guides to Liquor!
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- Lush Guide to Starward Left-Field Whisky – Australia’s whisky that is fantastic in cocktails
- Lush Guide to Jägermeister – more than just J-bombs!
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