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Copper & Kings unveils Bi-Continental brandy blend
Kentucky-based spirits producer Copper & Kings has launched its latest expression – a blend of pot-distilled brandies from the US and South Africa.
Geography Bi-Continental Brandy is a blend of US and South African brandies
Geography Bi-Continental Brandy is a marriage of the two brandy styles that has then been aged for an additional two years in Kentucky Bourbon barrels.
The concept will “explore pot-distilled brandy blends combining American brandy with those from other countries from around the world”.
The blend is comprised of 51% American brandy and 49% South African brandy.
Master distiller Brandon O’Daniel describes the expression as “beautifully viscous, and balanced with a delicious luminosity”.
He added: “At 108 proof [54% abv] it has velvety power, but lovely drinkability, and this contrasts with a typical South African pot still brandy bottle proof of 38% abv / 76 proof.
“The Bourbon barrels add warm honey and caramel and don’t overpower the grape varietal nuance. And we don’t compromise the mouthfeel, or flavour intensity, with chill-filtration, or adulterate post-distillation with boisé or caramel colour.”
Bottled at 54% abv, Copper & Kings Geography Bi-Continental Brandy is priced at US$50 per 750ml. It is available to buy from the distillery and through a limited number of select fine retailers.
Copper & Kings founder Joe Heron, said: “The USA and South Africa share a common brandy thread as former Dutch colonies, and the origin of the word brandy is Dutch – ‘brandewijn’ or ‘burned wine’ in English.
“The first documented spirits distillation in America in 1640 was that of brandy by William Hendricks on Staten Island within the New Netherlands colony.
“The first distillation of South African brandy was in 1672, by the assistant cook on board the Dutch ship, De Pijl, lying at anchor in Table Bay off Cape Town. So new world brandy is pretty old school. As a South African American, there’s also a very nice personal synchronicity.”