Where’s the fire water?
Yes, brandy is just dandy with Coke, but with the calibre we’re crafting locally, it’d be a sin not to let the spirit move you in its unadulterated state. (Okay, maybe you can add some eish…)
The styles
POTSTILL: By law, SA brandies labelled potstill contain 100% potstill distillate matured in oak barrels for at least three years.
VINTAGE: These blends are made up of a minimum of 30% potstill brandy and up to 60% neutral wine spirit, both matured in oak for at least eight years.
BLENDED: Also known as standard brandy, this consists of a minimum of 30% potstill brandy, oak-matured for at least three years, blended with unmatured neutral wine spirit.
Did you know?
- In SA, the base wine distilled during brandy-making is mainly made from Chenin Blanc and Colombar grapes.
- For every litre of brandy, about five litres of base wine are needed.
- South African brandy must be aged in oak casks no larger than 340 litres for at least three years, according to legislation.
- Big Bertha in Grabouw is the largest copper still in South Africa.
Get sipping: Brandy and coke slushie
Combine 2 cups Coke, 2 tots brandy and the juice of 2 limes in a freezable container. Freeze overnight (the alcohol content means that the mixture won’t freeze solid). Just before serving, fluff the frozen mixture using a fork and serve immediately, on its own or with an extra splash of Coke, garnished with sliced lime. Serves 2.
Cheers!
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