Bardinet Brandy Review: VSOP, XO & Price Guide

It may have all begun in 1857, but Bardinet is a French brandy brand that’s very much not stuck in the past. This Bordeaux-made spirit is a favorite of mine for its delicate aroma, its smooth character, and the fact that it delivers a genuinely lovely brandy experience without the price tag of the big Cognac houses.

Bardinet French Brandy has been expertly distilled and matured in oak casks in its own cellars for over 100 years. The brand was founded by Paul Bardinet, a young French entrepreneur with a passion for creating exceptional spirits, and using traditional methods passed down through the generations, that heritage is evident in every sip.

Over the years, Bardinet has become one of the world’s top 10 internationally sold brandies, and the third biggest selling French made brandy. It has picked up real hardware along the way too, including two gold medals for its VSOP and XO at The Spirits Business Brandy Masters, a silver medal at the IWSC, and a bronze at the New York International Spirit Competition.

What is Bardinet Brandy

Bardinet brandy is crafted using traditional techniques at the Domaine de Fleurenne estate, near Bordeaux in southwest France. It’s worth noting this is brandy, not Cognac, since Cognac can only carry that name if it comes from the specific Cognac appellation further north. Bardinet follows its own path, and does it beautifully.

The brandy is made using high quality grapes selected for their flavor and aroma, fermented into a wine, then distilled using copper pot stills that help retain those lovely fruity notes. After distillation, it’s aged in charred oak casks for a minimum of two years, developing character and complexity as it absorbs flavor from the barrels. Once aged, it’s carefully blended to hit that signature Bardinet flavor profile, then bottled up and ready for you.

Bardinet Brandy Varieties

Bardinet has a few different expressions, and honestly, there’s a reason to love each one.

Bardinet VSOP

This is where I’d point a first timer. Bardinet VSOP is the brand’s core, most accessible expression, and it’s an absolute joy of a brandy. It has a bright amber color and a fruity nose with scents of peach and fig. On the palate it’s well balanced and delicate, with notes of autumn fruits, and the finish is long and oaky with sweet raisin notes. Bardinet VSOP has an ABV of 36% and is perfect neat, on ice, or in a long drink.

Bardinet XO

Ready to treat yourself? Bardinet XO is the more luxurious step up, aged 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’s smooth and complex, with flavors of vanilla, honey, and toasted oak, and a long, warming finish with notes of dark chocolate. Bardinet XO has an ABV of 40% and is best enjoyed neat or on ice, so you can really sit with it.

Bardinet Coffee

The newest addition to the family, Bardinet Coffee combines premium brandy with coffee for something genuinely delicious. It has a rich, dark color, with aromas of freshly brewed coffee and a mellow vanilla and caramel taste. On the palate it’s smooth and velvety, with flavors of roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate, and a long, sweet finish with notes of toffee and vanilla. Bardinet Coffee has an ABV of 25% and is perfect for sipping after dinner, or stirring into a cocktail.

How Much Does Bardinet Brandy Cost

Bardinet VSOP is a genuine steal in the US, typically running $12 to $14 for a 700ml bottle. Bardinet XO sits higher at around $24, which is still wonderful value for a brandy aged a minimum of 10 years. Bardinet Coffee is trickier to find stateside since it’s more widely distributed in Europe, so check your local specialty spirits shop for availability. Prices vary by retailer and state, so it’s always worth a quick compare before you buy.

How to enjoy Bardinet Brandy

Neat

Bardinet VSOP can be enjoyed neat, served at room temperature in a brandy snifter glass. This lets you appreciate the brandy’s aroma and taste without any mixers or ice getting in the way.

With Ice

If you prefer your brandy chilled, Bardinet VSOP is lovely served with ice, which can mellow the flavor and make it that bit more refreshing on a warm evening.

In Cocktails

Bardinet VSOP also shines in cocktails, adding rich, complex flavor to the drink. It’s a fantastic stand in for Cognac in classics like the Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, Vieux Carré, or a Brandy Smash, and it’s just as happy with a simple ginger ale.

Here are a few cocktails I created specially for Bardinet: Coco, Josephine, and Zelda. You can find the full recipes for each linked below.

Bardinet vs Other French Brandies

If you’re used to reaching for Courvoisier, Rémy Martin, or Martell, Bardinet is well worth a look. Those are Cognac houses, working within the strict rules of the Cognac appellation, while Bardinet is a Bordeaux brandy free to do its own thing. What that means for you is a beautifully rounded, fruit forward spirit at a genuinely friendly price point, without sacrificing the smoothness or complexity you’d expect from a much pricier bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bardinet brandy any good?
Yes, genuinely. It has picked up gold medals at the Brandy Masters and medals at the IWSC and New York International Spirit Competition, and it’s one of the top 10 best selling brandies in the world. For the price, it’s a wonderful bottle.

Where is Bardinet brandy made?
Bardinet is made in France, at the Domaine de Fleurenne estate near Bordeaux.

How much does Bardinet brandy cost?
In the US, Bardinet VSOP typically runs $12 to $14 for a 700ml bottle, and Bardinet XO around $24. Bardinet Coffee is harder to find stateside, so check your local specialty spirits shop. Prices vary by retailer and state.

Why Lush Life Loves It

Bardinet is fabulous in cocktails. I was asked to create cocktails with Bardinet a few years ago, and they were not only fun to make, they tasted wonderful and were a total hit. Try it and you’ll get a genuinely fabulous experience every time.

Here are a few cocktails I created specially for Bardinet!