Category Archives: brandy
New Video: Chasing spirits in Germany’s Black Forest
When most of us hear the word “schnaps,” we think of those artificially sweetened liqueurs designed for folks who think they like to drink, but really don’t. True, schnaps, however, is an unaged brandy distilled from any number of fruits in German-speaking countries. The schnaps-making capital of the world is Germany’s Black Forest region, home to some 14,000—yes, those three zeroes belong there—farm distilleries. If you want to drink close to the source, you don’t need to go to local bars. You just need to seek out a few of the area’s Schnapsbrunnen (literally, “schnaps fountains”), small, unattended kiosks with fresh-off-the-stills bottles of the spirit, drinking cups or glasses and slotted lockboxes where drinkers can insert a euro or two for the privilege. It’s all on the honor system, but no cheating! You want the distillers to be able to continue to make the stuff, don’t you?
Enjoy the latest episode, which invites you on my schnaps-soaked odyssey through the Black Forest!
Republic Restoratives releases Washington, D.C.’s first apple brandy
The fourth product release from Republic Restoratives, Washington D.C.’s community-funded and community-driven craft distillery, is rooted in one of America’s oldest spirits-making traditions.
WSWA: Blend including 150-year-old Cognac in artistic masterpiece of a bottle
If you like Cognac and you’ve got $8,500 burning a hole in your pocket, you might want to buy one of only 300 of these gorgeous, horn-like bottles from Chapters of Ampersand. (No, they didn’t let me try any at the WSWA Convention).
WSWA: Get to know Kalikia, a brandy that’s Armenia’s answer to Cognac
I chat with Henrik Sargsyan of Prowood Wine & Spirits, importer of the Armenian Cognac-like brandy, Kalikia, at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention in Orlando.
New video: Some rye observations on whisky-making in Tasmania
Tasmania has become the epicenter of the Australian craft distilling renaissance. Tasmanian rye whiskey- and brandy-making legend Peter Bignell gives us a peek inside his farmhouse operation, Belgrove Distillery.
