About the producer:
Christian Brothers VS Brandy is a ubiqitous bottom shelf American brandy. While no longer associated with them, Chrisitian Brothers Brandy was origianlly produced by the relgious order of the same name. The Chrisitain Borthers first produced wine in Martinez, CA in 1882. This first started as sacramental/communion wine but we later sold to support their schools and other charities. In the 1930’s and 40’s the group planted new vineyards in Napa Valley and created the modern Christian Brother’s Brandy. The brandy and wine labels were sold off in the 1980s to Heublein and is now put out by Heaven Hill.
Details:
The bottom shelf Christian Bros VS, which I’m reviewing here, is aged 2-6 year in ex-bourbon barrels and is bottled at 40% abv. In addition to the VS a longer aged VSOP and a bottled in bond variants are also produced.
Nose
Very, very light. Sprite or 7-UP. Smuckers jelly. Smell artifical or chemically. No heat or astringency at least.
Palate
Very sweet. Cherry and grape candies and vanilla. Still tastes articial and a bit two sweet. Not great but I’ve had worse.
Finish
Extremely short, just a bit of grape jelly and vanilla.
Overall
I don’t have a ton more to say about this brandy. Its a poor showing
Rating: 3
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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