About the Producer
Branchwater Farms is a fantastic farm distillery located in Redhook, NY in the Hudson Valley region. If you are ever in the area I strongly advise you go visit, the owners are very personable and their products are excellent. The farm is very big on regenerative farming, making that a core part of their mission.
The farm and distillery were founded Robin Touchet and Kevin Pike, a husband a wife team who both have quite a bit of experience in the wine industry. Most interestingly they have worked with / been mentored by Hans Reisetbauer, a well renowned brandy producer out of Austria.
In addition to the bottle being reviewed today, they have a whole range of eau-de-vies including some unique choices like black currants or beets as well as gins and aged rye and wheat spirits (can’t be called whiskey because they are distilled to a higher proof than allowed)
Details
- Made 100% from English Morello Cherries grown at Fix Borhter Farm in NYS.
- ~10 lbs of cherries per 375ml bottle
- Bottled at 41% abv
- Rested in stainless steel for at least 1 yr.
- Batch 2024
- Bottle 421
- $100 for 375ml
Nose
Powerful nose despite the 41% abv. It’s an absolutely superb mix of almond cookies and sweet cherries. I have no idea how they got so much almond in there but it’s awesome. Fairly sweet and very refined and luxurious. My favorite nose out of any brandy I’ve ever had, 10/10.
Palate
Again just fantastic. A bit of a down grade from the nose but still superb. Still almond cookies and sweet cherries. Full bodied and flavored despite the low proof. It’s sweet and has a silky texture.
Finish
Medium with sour cherries, fairly dry.
Rating: 9
Overall
Wow, a top 5 brandy for me for sure. Than nose is so good. Absolutely worth the high cost. I love the almond cookie flavor. It’s just so delicious. I can’t send enough superlatives it’s way.
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