St. Rémy VSOP

So once again I venture into the inexpensive brandy shelf and with the help of friends I came away with a winner. This is an excellent drink and if more brandies were like this I would drink more brandy. In the Glencairn is has a tawny color and it coats the glass nicely. On the nose, it is lightly fruity with white grapes/raisins but not too sweet there is vanilla and a touch of spice. The body is drier than I expected the other brandy I enjoy is E and J XO brandy and it is quite sweet and is better as a dessert. Remy VSOP the body is where this shines to me as the flavors linger with vanilla and spices and a very present oak flavor that is pleasant. Sadly I don't taste the cocoa so many others do but I am trying to expand my palate. The finish is long and lingering with dried fruits and spices. This is an excellent drink for the price and it makes an outstanding Brandy Old Fashioned. As for sipping neat, I have had this several times and it is very enjoyable. I am open to suggestions for other Brandies and Cognacs to try so please share your favorites. Enjoy!

I get a bit of an odd aftertaste that lingers for around 10-15 seconds after drinking neat or on ice and it's not the most flavorful or smooth French brandy I've had. But this genuinely for the money is probably the best mixing brandy on the market and is good enough to sip neat on a budget or in a pinch. I will say the XO should only be 5 or less dollars more, and in my opinion is a substantial jump in quality and if you have the money or opportunity is probably a better decision. Price in my area is $18 USD for a 750ml and $28 for a 1.75l handle, VS Cognac starts at around $27 for a 750ml, and the American brandies top out at around $17-$18 for a 750ml E&J XO.

I would say this is one of the best buys out there for a very good brandy at an affordable price. (Disclaimer my experience is based on dozens, not hundreds, of samples.) The mouth is given a fresh raisin fruitiness enhanced with touches of vanilla and light spiciness. The finish lingers. This is better than some cognacs I have sampled. Don't accuse me of hearsay. Remember, Cognac is brandy from the Cognac region---and they are not all necessarily of excellent quality, for, they are not. (Wine merchants have told me the poorest quality tends to be exported.)

Bottle doesn't claim to be a cognac (including in the Distiller picture), only a brandy, so probably incorrectly classified. Relatively sweet with a balanced body and generally rich, round fruit flavor. Not picking out too many distinct flavors, but some apricot and citrus peel. Not very smooth - strong ethanol with pronounced burn.

Aromas of oak, raisin, orange peel, and baking spice – after you get past the nose full of ethanol. The same notes reappear on the palate. Light mouthfeel, with a short-medium finish. Some more heat on the palate, though not as much as on the nose. 2.00/5.00 – Bad (neat)

Alcohol vapors are the first thing on the nose. After that, a little fig, golden raisin, orange candies. It's smooth enough, raisins, light spice, orange peel, hints of bitter grapefruit, some spice. Finishes with alcohol vapors again.