Something different today. A potstill KWV brandy, the KWV 12 year old brandy. A few Saturdays ago, it was cold. The coldest night in 2022, and we turned on the fireplace. I needed something to warm me up from the inside, and John was not in the mood for whisky.
So I grabbed a bottle of Hennessy VSOP cognac and warmed the glass next to the flames for a bit before drinking. I posted it on Twitter, and quite a few friends responded to remind me that South Africa makes stunning brandy that will also warm me up.
I have written about SA whisky, gin and even rum, but never brandy. South African brandy is well known for its excellent quality, and they deserve some space on my blog. So I went out and found the KWV 12 year old Barrel Select brandy to try.
KWV is one of the best-known wine producers in South Africa. They were founded in 1918 and played a significant role in uniting wine producers during the industry’s starting years.
Some of my favourite wine brands are part of their portfolio. You will often see Roodeberg wines feature on my social media. The Cruxland gin, Ponchos tequila and Wild Africa Cream is also part of their portfolio.
But what is South African brandy?
To be called South African, the brandy must be produced from locally produced wine made from domestic grapes and distilled, matured and bottled in South Africa.
Colombard and Chenin Blanc grapes are mostly used. However, there are also brandies from other varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage and Muscat. All brandies in South Africa have to be double distilled in copper pots.
All the wines used for brandy are specially grown for brandy, not just wine that can’t be used in other ways. All brandies have to be matured in oak vates no bigger than 340l for a minimum of 3 years. Similarly to whisky, the age statement refers to the youngest component in the blend. If the bottle has no age statement, it is likely 3 years old.
The KWV 12 year old Barrel Select brandy is an aged 100% pot still brandy. It fits between the KWV 10 year old vintage and the smooth KWV 15 year old brandy. To be considered pot-still brandies, they require 100% of the brandy to have been distilled in a copper pot still and aged for a minimum of 3 years.
Also Read: Rum vs Whiskey
KWV 12 year old Brandy Review
ABV: 40%
COLOUR: Rich gold
NOSE: Dried peaches and fresh apricots with soft wood and sweetness. Elegant and lovely.
PALATE: A fruit salad of sweetness with honey and oak. Warming oak with bits of cinnamon dried and orchid fruit. Smooth and easy drinking, it is especially lovely with a few drops of water.
RATING: EXCELLENT
What a lovely brandy. The KWV 12 year old brandy reminds me a bit of a very fruity Speyside whisky. We have had a glass before dinner nearly every day this week. It warms you up on a cold winter evening and is delicious. It is readily available and affordable at R430.
Also Read: Rhumarie de Saint Aubin
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