Gran Duque d'Alba Solera Gran Reserva

I seldom feel the need to quibble with the official Distiller reviews in my own tasting notes, but this time, it's necessary as a score of 78 here (which I would reserve for something really unimpressive) is a gross injustice. Why such strong words? Because this is a damn fine brandy that I would hope anyone interested in exploring the world of spirits would try when given a chance. The biggest complaints lifted up in the official review here seem to be a weak nose and a hot, unbalanced palate. Pish posh on both counts. The nose is clear and bright - orange (zest and juice, and of a variety of sorts...think of it like a citrus salad), pineapple, ricotta cookies, thyme, brown sugar, book leather. The palate is anything but overly hot and imbalanced - it's a bit like a frosted orange cookie with almond slivers, sweet, nutty, and citrusy, with a bit of pleasant warmth to be found. In conclusion, while I'm willing to grant a certain amount of "different strokes for different folks" range, and acknowledge that I'm a fairly high grader (remind to tell you the one about the Irish figure skating judge...), this feels like I'm drinking an entirely different brandy than the one reviewed. And...who knows? Maybe there are inconsistencies between bottlings; stranger things have happened than that. But, what I have in my glass right now is NOT a C grade brandy, but instead is a real pleasure to drink.

First off, I’m not a brandy drinker. I have very limited experience save for an occasional celebratory glass of Hennessy with a Hamlet cigar at faculty balls, graduation ceremonies and such like during my college years. Oh, how we thought we represented the very definition of cultured sophistication despite our poor facial hair and ill-fitting, rented tuxes. While in Spain I picked up a sample of this Brandy de Jerez, as I had seen it recommended by @The_Rev. With apologies to that knowledgeable gentleman I could not find within my glass the array of pleasures he chanced upon. The nose was very amiable: prunes, raspberry, musty leather and oak. Initially, I found the taste smooth with little heat at all. Then, as I continued to sip, it became cloying with sickly syrupy flavours of brown sugar, prunes, soaked raisins (like for a Christmas cake), sticky toffee pudding and an off-putting hint of anise (a personal aversion). Altogether it was overly sweet. I wouldn't rule out whiskey based on one dram so I’m not writing off brandy just yet. I just need to get more acquainted and I'll happily take any brandy recommendations for the whisk(e)y lover....

Am I an easy grader who loves everything or is Stephanie Moreno a tough grader. This stuff is very good with notes of vanilla, caramel, raisins, and spices. I think before a distiller rating gets posted, at least 3-5 people should need to try it at a meeting and come up with a consensus review.

Väldigt bra och prisvärd.