Brandy lovers thread

[morkhans]

Nice collection. Would love to see better pictures. Those older Joseph Barry bottlings were good.

My advice is don't wait to start opening things. Life happens and then you miss out. Find good reasons to open a bottle and share with friends and family.

 

[CommonSense]

Nice collection. Would love to see better pictures. Those older Joseph Barry bottlings were good.

My advice is don't wait to start opening things. Life happens and then you miss out. Find good reasons to open a bottle and share with friends and family.

You are absolutely correct that it should be enjoyed before one misses out.

I am a bit sentimental as some of these have memories of people I lost over the years and it was meant to be shared with them. Since I can't share it with them, it feels as if I shouldn't even taste it.

The other major reason I have this (and many others still in boxes as the cabinet is way to crowded as it is), is because my dad was a full blown alcoholic. Thus I keep this as a reminder of how one can have grown up in certain circumstances but can use that to become stronger to show that the bottle will not rule your world.

That said, I do enjoy the odd drink, but I have definite limit which I just don't feel like crossing. If I had enough then no goading by anyone can get me to continue. In fact I have such deep feelings about "friends" trying to get one to drink more than you should that I "let go of that friendship balloon". I really don't need that in my life and they are not real friends then in any case. But enough of the deep introspection.

Here are (I hope) some better photos of each shelve.
Also, I just like the shape of some of the bottles. It is cool to see.
These are mostly Brandy and Cognac, but there are the odd sneaky "other" in there too. You know. For company.

 

[CommonSense]

The fourth shelve, since you can only attach 10 photos per post.

 

[morkhans]

Very nice collection. That paarl rock decanter must be seriously old. I've got one of their ceramic bottlings. Hadn't seen that one before. The laborie lambic is also a favorite of mine.

 

[dualmeister]

 

[david1977]

Hi All is KWV 15 worth the extra money over the KWV 12? i have had the 12 and it was good, what do you guys think?

 

[dualmeister]

The shortage of Hennessy means award-winning local brandies could gain a bigger share of global markets.

An article in the Financial Mail described an opportunity for SA brandy to make a play for Cognac’s title.

Source

 

[dualmeister]

 

[rh1]

Hi All is KWV 15 worth the extra money over the KWV 12? i have had the 12 and it was good, what do you guys think?

If I recall, 15 was better than 12years, however 12 was not much better than 10 years. Disclaimer only drank one bottle of 15 year and one bottle of 12 a while back and not at the same time. So not accurate.

 

[dualmeister]

Delivered

 

[CommonSense]

Delivered

View attachment 1392101

Thanks for the Reminder.
I nearly forgot about this. Ordered.

Hope you enjoy it.
I wonder how this would compare to the Rene Single Cask.

 

[rh1]

The fourth shelve, since you can only attach 10 photos per post.

Nice collection.

 

[dualmeister]

I wonder how this would compare to the Rene Single Cask.

 

[Snyper564]

Love a good brandy.

Floating around Serbia at the moment and popped into one of their distilleries in Belgrade yesterday. Had a tasting of Quince, Williams pear, Plum, Apple rakija.

Picked up a bottle of their 8 year old barrel aged Branko plum one to bring back - really beautiful drink. My understanding is it's their own oak used to make the barrels.

I do think this somewhat belongs here instead of creating a new thread.

 

[Jhercules]

There is a small chance that they might still have. Will look when I go that way.

View attachment 1269728

Finally found some of these at clearance price as well. Had to promise to pass on some of the bottles to FIL, but he's just gonna mix it with a ton of sugar water anyway.

So @dualmeister would you mind advising best ones I should keep for my own sipping?

- Oude Molen XO – 14yr (Elgin Valley, WP) – 15 awards
- Sugarbird Cape Fynbos XO – 14 yr (Elfindale, WP) - Newcomer
- Truffle Potstill – De Mas – 5yr (Kakamas, NC) – 12 awards
- Joseph Barry XO – 12 yr (Barrydale, WP) – 17 awards
- Ladismith – 8 yr (Ladismith, WP) – 21 awards
- Rooibos and Umondi – Incendo Distillery – 3 yr (Hartbeespoort, NW) - Newcomer
- Groot Constantia VSOP – 8 yr (Constantia, WP)
- Carel Nel – Boplaas – 5 yr (Calitzdorp, WP)
- Boereraad – De Vry – 3 yr (Oranjeville, FS) - Newcomer
- Cape Alchemist – Hew Harbour – 3 yr (Somerset West, WP) - Newcomer
- Sydney Back – Backsberg – 15yr (Paarl, WP) – 3 awards
- Joker Brandy – 5 yr (Elfindale, WP) - Newcomer

 

[rh1]

Finally found some of these at clearance price as well. Had to promise to pass on some of the bottles to FIL, but he's just gonna mix it with a ton of sugar water anyway.

So @dualmeister would you mind advising best ones I should keep for my own sipping?

- Oude Molen XO – 14yr (Elgin Valley, WP) – 15 awards
- Sugarbird Cape Fynbos XO – 14 yr (Elfindale, WP) - Newcomer
- Truffle Potstill – De Mas – 5yr (Kakamas, NC) – 12 awards
- Joseph Barry XO – 12 yr (Barrydale, WP) – 17 awards
- Ladismith – 8 yr (Ladismith, WP) – 21 awards
- Rooibos and Umondi – Incendo Distillery – 3 yr (Hartbeespoort, NW) - Newcomer
- Groot Constantia VSOP – 8 yr (Constantia, WP)
- Carel Nel – Boplaas – 5 yr (Calitzdorp, WP)
- Boereraad – De Vry – 3 yr (Oranjeville, FS) - Newcomer
- Cape Alchemist – Hew Harbour – 3 yr (Somerset West, WP) - Newcomer
- Sydney Back – Backsberg – 15yr (Paarl, WP) – 3 awards
- Joker Brandy – 5 yr (Elfindale, WP) - Newcomer

I would give the youngest away. Generally, not always, the older the year, the better the brandy. Since he is going to be diluting it anyway, you dont want to waste it like that, the 3 yr olds are a better sacrifice.

 

[dualmeister]

Finally found some of these at clearance price as well. Had to promise to pass on some of the bottles to FIL, but he's just gonna mix it with a ton of sugar water anyway.

So @dualmeister would you mind advising best ones I should keep for my own sipping?

- Oude Molen XO – 14yr (Elgin Valley, WP) – 15 awards
- Sugarbird Cape Fynbos XO – 14 yr (Elfindale, WP) - Newcomer
- Truffle Potstill – De Mas – 5yr (Kakamas, NC) – 12 awards
- Joseph Barry XO – 12 yr (Barrydale, WP) – 17 awards
- Ladismith – 8 yr (Ladismith, WP) – 21 awards
- Rooibos and Umondi – Incendo Distillery – 3 yr (Hartbeespoort, NW) - Newcomer
- Groot Constantia VSOP – 8 yr (Constantia, WP)
- Carel Nel – Boplaas – 5 yr (Calitzdorp, WP)
- Boereraad – De Vry – 3 yr (Oranjeville, FS) - Newcomer
- Cape Alchemist – Hew Harbour – 3 yr (Somerset West, WP) - Newcomer
- Sydney Back – Backsberg – 15yr (Paarl, WP) – 3 awards
- Joker Brandy – 5 yr (Elfindale, WP) - Newcomer

My personal ratings in order:

1.) Groot Constantia VSOP – 8 yr (Constantia, WP)
2.) Ladismith – 8 yr (Ladismith, WP) – 21 awards
3.) Oude Molen XO – 14yr (Elgin Valley, WP) – 15 awards
4.) Joseph Barry XO – 12 yr (Barrydale, WP) – 17 awards
5.) Sydney Back – Backsberg – 15yr (Paarl, WP) – 3 awards
6.) Truffle Potstill – De Mas – 5yr (Kakamas, NC) – 12 awards

The rest you can throw away or use as stocking fillers

 

[dualmeister]

Finally found some of these at clearance price as well.

Yes. My PnP is selling them for R150 again.

 

[CommonSense]

I'm so sad that the pictures at the start of this thread is not visible anymore.

See excited comments about things which doesn't have a picture anymore. Makes me dream of wonderful things.

I guess I like to live vicariously through others.

 

[rh1]

I cannot afford, but would die for list

Van Ryn's 15 year old
KVW 20 year old

Based on your recent posts this has probably changed since 2011.