Carlos I Brandy De Jerez Solera Gran Reserva (700mL)

Nothing coincidental about this premium Spanish Brandy, aged for more than 20 years in ex-Amontillado and ex-Oloroso casks.

The story of Osborne distillery dates back over 200 years ago when in 1772, Thomas Osborne arrived in the Cádiz region and acquired bodegas in the Andalusian town of El Puerto de Santa María. In 2008, Osborne bought Carlos I, another very old Spanish brand (Old is good, kids!) with a mysterious backstory. So, apparently a cellar-master stumbled upon a handful of lost casks in 1889. (Why doesn't that happen in our cellar, we wonder...) No one knew when the casks had been filled or who had filled them. But the Brandy inside was absolutely exquisite, and it was named after the famous Spanish conqueror Carlos the First. ('cuz this Brandy would conquer the world, get it?)

Carlos I Brandy is made from grapes from the best Airén grapevines. Its mellow taste, velvety texture and aromatic complexity come from the wind (the Atlantic ocean, the east and the west winds do their thing), the bodega (also called cathedrals due to their structure, it's where Wines are safely stored), the wood (more than 20 years in American oak casks will leave a mark) and the grape (the best, as said).

The artisanal process for the production of this premium Spanish Brandy has been passed down for generations. After distillation in Moorish pot stills, brought by the Arabs in the 7th century, the Spirit is aged in American oak barrels: ex-Amontillado and ex-Oloroso - where, thanks to the methods of Criaderas and Soleras, young Spirits are mixed with more mature ones. The casks are never really emptied completely and as older Spirit is drawn out, new Spirit is added. This is where Carlos I Brandy De Jerez Solera Gran Reserva gets its complexity and incredible depth.