# Learn me some brandy

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-me-some-brandy/436610>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [February 6, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-me-some-brandy/436610 "2008-02-06T23:59:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-me-some-brandy/436610/1 "2008-02-06T23:59:51Z")

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I went to a Bobby Burns party the other week, and, in preparation for getting up to belt out “A Scotch Drink,” I poured about four fingers from a decanter of what I assumed was a very deep amber scotch over a few ice cubes.

Well, it was the best damn tasting scotch I’ve ever had in my life. Except is wasn’t scotch - it was brandy, as I learned from the host several minutes later.

I only have the vaguest notion about what I like in terms of liquor - mostly Tullamore Dew and vodka martinis. But that brandy was _goooood_. Peppery yet smooth. Once the ice started to melt, it went down like candy.

I’d like to get some more. Maybe start by buying a middle of the fifth.

So, any recommendations?

Other suggestions?

Am I a complete barbarian for thinking that it tastes good on the rocks with a twist?

Cheers.

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**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-me-some-brandy/436610/2 "2008-02-07T01:08:08Z")

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To answer your last question first: Yes.

Any clue what brandy you drank? Because there’s only a million of them out there. They range from some divine cognacs to even-diviner armagnacs to you name it. Personally, I’d start off with Presidente, a Mexican brandy that is one of the world’s best sellers. Then try E&J Gallo’s XO, which is my prefered house brandy. Then, your wallet is your limit.

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**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-me-some-brandy/436610/3 "2008-02-07T01:45:50Z")

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Brandy is distilled from grapes, so, like wine, the variety of flavor is pretty wide. My personal favorite is Gran Duque de Alba, from Spain. It has a hint of sweetness that I love, especially while enjoying a cigar. It is expensive however (about $45 for a 750 ml bottle,) so I drink it sparingly.

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**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-me-some-brandy/436610/4 "2008-02-07T02:24:58Z")

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Avoid grappa.