About the Producer
This brandy was special blend from Marian Farms distillery in Fresno, CA for K&L, a porminant liqour store chain out of CA.. Marian Farms is certified biodynamic and organic farm and distillery. Truth be told, I don’t really know what biodynamic means but hopefully it produces good grapes for brandy. In addition to this single cask monster I’ve also reviewed today a blend of casks for Bar Agricole.
Details
- Biodynamic and organic
- Blend of 15, 12 and 10 year old brandies
- Distilled in a Carl pot still.
- 80% abv!
- Got for $105.
NOTE: This brandy is obviously very hot at 80% so I tried it both at 80 and watered down to 50%. This review includes notes at both proofs.
Nose
Wow, very intense even at 50% abv. Orange, lemon pledge and black licorice. The Licorice is overpowering. No subtly at all just brute force even at 50% and overbiously more at 80%.
Palate
Less punch you in the face than the nose. Oranges and black licorice again but this time includes some creme brulee, Dr. Pepper and some hot chili peppers. It’s still very full flavored and full bodied. Texture is mostly syrupy but with a slight astringency to it. Lightly sweet. This is interesting, I quite like the taste a lot more that the nose.
Finish
Long and spicy.
Rating: 6
Overall
A roller coaster of a brandy. It hits hard and doesn’t relent with no subtly at all. It’s very good but ultimately I prefer the Bar Agricole CA brandy from Marian farms over this.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect