Sip On Something Better Than Hennessy And Pour Yourself A South African Brandy

This article is for all the die hard Hennessy fans who believe the mass-produced cognac, made by the world’s largest liquor producer, is the be-all and end-all spirit of the world. All cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac. You know this, right? You don’t? Oh, dear! Read this first and then decide if you are ready to push the bottle of same-old foreign cognac aside and try something new, something local, something…dare I say, better?

Brandy is South Africa’s overlooked world champion and it’s a shame. The wine routes of South Africa seem to get all the attention and rightfully so. Wineries have been working hard to improve cellar door service and experiences over the past 10 years and most of us who fancy a glass of vino, have made a mission to visit at least one of the country’s premium wine estates. Almost all brandy makers in South Africa also produce wines, so you’ve probably been to a brandy estate without realising it.

Random question: did you know South Africa has a dedicated brandy route? Well, now you do! Life waits for no one, so without further a due, here are 15 better alternatives to Hennessy from the winelands of South Africa. Keep it local, keep it real. Sip local and support the small producers of South Africa.

Boplaas  20 year old Potstill Brandy

Where in the world can you find a family estate 20-year-old Potsill Brandy for a mere R1800? Nowhere!…but South Africa. That is where you can buy a 20-year-old potstill brandy for roughly $120. Boplaas in Calitzdorp released this fine eau-de-brandy in 2010. Distilled in a 100-year-old Santagans copper still, double distilled to 70% and matured for 20 years in old Limousin casks. Bottled at 38%. The Nel’s of Boplaas can trace their brandy crafting lineage back to 1880 with their first export to the UK and claim as South Africa’s first Estate Brandy producer. The last time I checked, there were only 3 bottles in stock at whiskybrother.com. Better be fast! If the 20-year old brandy is a bit too “old” for you or your pocket, then there’s always the 12-year-old brandy from Boplaas, available directly from the estate in Calitzdorp and the Boplaas online shop.

Avontuur Private Collection Potstill Brandy 10 years

Meet the real super-stud of Avontuur Estate and thoroughbred stud farm near Stellenbosch. Selling for R1100 ($75) on the wine and horse farm’s website, the 10 old brandy is packaged in a stylish bottle that can be upcycled and reused after you’ve polished all the delish drops of brandy on the inside.

TOKARA XO Potstill Brandy

Distilled in a copper Pruhlo Alambic potstill, the traditional cognac double distillation process is followed in the making of TOKARA XO. Pure magic in a bottle, with rich notes of butterscotch and caramel. Retail for around R900 ($60) at fine liquor merchants such as Roeland Liquors in Cape Town.

Ladismith Klein Karoo 8 Year Cape Brandy

Double distilled using custom-designed hand-built copper pot stills, this 8-year-old Cape Brandy is one exceptional tipple to ponder over on a cold and stormy evening. Only 1000 bottles of the brandy are produced at the Ladismith Distillery in the Klein Karoo and retail for around R650 ($45) at various online shops.

Boschendal 10 year Potstill Brandy

Crafted from a base wine comprising colombard and chenin grapes, Boschendal Potstill brandy is twice distilled in copper pot stills. Super-smooth and truly elegant, Boschendal 10-year-old is a liquor to keep and savour at your next milestone moment. A bottle costs around R700 ($50).