About the Producer
This product is put out by O’Neil Vintners and Distillers and is distilled at their massive distillery in Parlier, CA. It addition to their giant wine operations they contract distill brandy or neutral spirits for other brands, the most prominent being Christian Bros and Coronet. As far as I am aware this is the first brandy put out directly by O’Neil; I hope this is just the first step in a larger plan since we need more higher end American brandies out there.
Details
• 40% abv
• Double distilled in pot and column stills.
• 5-10yrs old
• Aged ina combination of American oak, French oak and ex-sherry casks.
• Made from a blend of California grapes
Nose
Sweet and fruit forward. Raisins and apricots. Strong vanilla. Medium intensity and a hair refined. Not too complex but a good nose overall.
Palate
Like the nose, sweet and fruity. Dried apricots, peaches and raisins. Good amount of caramel. Only traces of oak and spice. Light body. Texture is only okay. Reasonably tasty but would be better with more intensity and weight. Tastes a little refined.
Finish
short-to-medium and sweet with dried fruits
Rating: 5
Overall
A solid tasty brandy. Has some good flavors and a little bit of finesse; the only thing preventing a higher score is the light weight and low intensity of the palette. Would be better at a higher proof.
The only thing I would say is this is kind of a bad value versus some of it’s competitors. For ~$25 cheaper you could get Sacred Bond from the same distillery for a similar brandy of higher quality. Alternately for the same price you get get Argonaut Fat Thumb which I also prefer. Ultimately I’m glad I tried this but won’t get a second bottle.
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
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