About the Producer
Christian Brothers is one of the oldest names in American wine and brandy. The Christian Brothers, also known as the De La Salle Brothers is a lay Catholic organization dedicated to education. They currently have over 1000 education centers in close to 80 countries all over the world with over a million students. The Christian Bros got into wine making when the planted their first vineyard in Martinez, CA in 1882 in order to make table wine and sacramental wine for the members and they started producing brandy shortly thereafter. In 1932 the vineyards were moved to the Napa Valley, one of the first in the region. In the 80s the Christian Brothers sold off their wine and brandy businesses to corporate interests.
Eventually Christian Bros brandies ended up being owned by Heaven Hill, a big name in American whiskey production. The current brand is mostly bottom shelf rot gut but Sacred Bond is a higher end, although still reasonably priced, expression. This is a bottled in bond expression, common in bourbon and rye but a rarity in the brandy world.
Details
- Contract distilled by O’Neill Vinters and Distillers in Parlier, Ca
- Unaged distillate is barreled, aged and bottled by Heaven Hill in Bardstown, KY.
- Double pot distilled.
- Aged 4 years in ex-bourbon barrels. Presumably from Heaven Hill.
- Bottled in Bond.
- 50% abv.
- Bought for $27
Nose
Toffee and red table grapes. Powerful bourbony flavors. Coconut and vanilla. Very sweet, heavy and rich.
Palate
Sweet with a metric ton of caramel. Fruity with red grapes, red berries and grape jelly. Some oak. Full bodied and full flavored. Viscous syrupy texture. Not complex or refined by damn tasty.
Finish
Medium and sweet with caramel and grape jelly.
Rating: 6
Overall
So I really like this, possibly irrationally. It’s not complex, challenging or refined at all but it just tastes so damn good. It’s very sweet and syrupy and just really hits the spot. Recommend if you are interested in American brandy and it’s a hell of a value.
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
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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