Brandy de Jerez is a type of Spanish brandy that is made in the sherry triangle. It has to be aged using the traditional solera system, and the maturation has to take place in the barrels that were previously used for sherry production.
Airén is the most common grape variety used in the production of Jerez brandy. Despite some differences that are mainly dependent on the age and the barrel, brandy de Jerez usually varies from golden brown to mahogany. On the nose, it displays spicy, roasty, and woody notes.
The latter will be more prominent in older brandies, while the younger get more character from the base alcohol. Youthful styles will be lighter with hints of salinity, and older brandies will have a fuller and smoother body with a subtly sweet flavor. Read more
Brandy bodegas in Jerez have to use the solera system of fractional blending. The system is organized so that the finished brandy is a mixture of different ages. The brandy is kept in rows of barrels. The lowest, called the solera, contains the oldest brandy, and when some amount of this matured brandy is taken out, it is topped with the brandy from the next row above (criaderas).
These are then topped from the casks in the row above and so on. The top barrels are filled with the most recently distilled spirits. Usually, the barrels will be lined into three or four rows. Instead of stacking them, the producers can label the barrels.
It is not known when did the distilling tradition in Jerez started, but the first written mention dates to the 16th century. The first distillates were unaged, and allegedly it was a lucky accident that showed how the distillate significantly improved when it was left to age in sherry casks.
In Jerez, the top sherry producers also tend to produce high-quality brandy. According to age, this brandy is divided into three categories: the youngest, fruity Solera (minimum average age of six months), Reserva (minimum average age of one year), and the oldest Gran Reserva, which has a minimum average age of three years.
Brandy de Jerez is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, but it can also be used in cocktails and mixed drinks. It would work well with cola, ginger ale, fruit juice, or tonic water. This brandy can pair well with cheese and chocolate. Jerez brandy does not have to be distilled in the designated region, but it has to be aged in the sherry triangle, including the municipalities of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Types of Brandy de Jerez
