2023 | Whisk(e)y Apostle: Proselytizing the way of the malt

Germain-Robin XO California Alambic Brandy

January 10, 2023 / Gary / Other Spirits, Review / Stands Out

Germain-Robin XO California Alambic Brandy

40% ABV
$130
Website

What the Distillery Says

Germain-Robin XO is an icon of California Brandy. Distilled exclusively in Pruhlo Charentais Pot Stills and aged in Limousin Oak Barrels, XO highlights the unique flavor and characteristics of California Pinot Noir grapes.

DISTILLER’S NOTES:
The high-quality California wine grapes in Germain-Robin XO showcase unique flavors and layered textures. The signature grape, Pinot Noir, provides a dark cherry character and a rich silky mouthfeel. Colombard distillate adds a fresh apple character while Sémillon provides richness with peach and apricot notes. The balance of both fruit and oak flavors is unique to Germain-Robin XO. The vanilla and toast flavors from the French oak complement the fruit which creates layers of complexity that only can be found from sourcing great fruit. The fermentation and distillation is driven with the goal of emphasizing fruit and mouthfeel and then paired with aging in select Limousin Oak Barrels. Texturally, the brandy is extremely smooth and has an incredibly long finish.

SIGNATURE FLAVORS:
Cherry, Vanilla, Oak

What Gary Says

DISCLAIMER: I’m a whisk(e)y enthusiast, and not familiar with Brandy (so read at your own risk!)
Nose: Grapes, apples, sherried fruit, sandalwood incense, floral, hint of green tea with subtle mulling spices.
Palate: Bright, floral with apples, cherries, and pepper spice (tad astringent).
Finish: Short to moderate in length, dry with unsweetened grape juice and apples.
Comments: I haven’t had a lot of brandy, but I enjoyed this one. The nose is delightful and complex, although the palate left me wanting what the nose was advertising. Seemed like the nuance and subtle notes from the nose just got lost along the way to my tongue! This isn’t my area of expertise, so that may be typical – and as such, not knocking down my rating.

Rating: Stands Out

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Barrell Whiskey Private Release Blend AH08

59.49% ABV
$100
Website

What the Blender Says

The Barrell Private Release Series is a project in detailed blending on a scale small enough to allow extreme precision.

The Private Release Series lets us exercise our blending expertise while maintaining a single barrel-like scale controlled entirely by hand and by palate. Our goal is always to maximize the best attributes of each component. Every ounce of every ingredient changes the overall character of these blends, as does the barrel that each one is aged in. For that reason, these barrels take months to polish and perfect. While we may be able to replicate the recipe for these releases, the unique nature of each ingredient and the barrel they are married in makes every bottling singularly special.

Each release of our Private Release Whiskey is a unique blend of whiskeys. Once created, these blends are married in single casks, many of which were previously used for other spirits and/or wines. Each Private Release Whiskey series has slightly different base whiskey and is entered into a finishing cask at a different time.

AH08 is a blend of KY Whiskeys, the largest component being 18-year-old KY whiskey, finished in a Malmsey Madeira barrel.

What Gary Says

Nose: Fruit salad steeped in wine, apricots, berries, vanilla, brown sugar, honey and cedar.
Palate: Chocolate covered cherries, vanilla, honey, tangerines, cinnamon, bit of ginger, pepper, nutmeg and a hint of anise.
Finish: Long, thick with ginger and orange marmalade.
Comments: Very fruity, sweet but with a ginger-spicy edge. Interesting and unique to be sure. A bit of water brings out a note of grapefruit on the nose, and thickens the palate while bringing more citrus to the party.