When it comes to brandy, producers are upping their game with premium variants and innovative production methods. We present our pick of the best value-for-money brands on the market.

SB present the best value-for-money brandies on the market

The Spirits Business held its annual Brandy Masters last month, where an experienced panel of judges recognised the best bottlings in the business.

Looking across multiple categories, from fruit brandies and pot still releases to blended expressions, a wide range of brandies were awarded the top accolades of Master and Gold medals for their quality.

The individual scores of each entrant have not been revealed, however these are five of the highest rated medalists in the competition, in no particular order.

While some expressions are not standard priced, our judges have given each brandy listed here the seal of approval for offering excellent quality within their respective price categories.

Click through to the following pages to view the five best value-for-money brandies of 2019.

Klipdrift Premium Brandy

Price: £35.38 (US$46.16)

In the South African blended brandy round, Klipdrift Premium Brandy was awarded a Master medal. The expression impressed the judges with its “honey blossom” aroma and “floral violet” palate.

Produced by South African drinks group Distell, Klipdrift Premium Brandy been distilled using copper pot stills, matured in French oak barrels and bottled at 43% abv.

Ableforth’s Cherry Brandy

Price: £34.95 (US$45.59)

Gold medallist Ableforth’s Cherry Brandy scored highly for its “remarkable balance of sweetness and acidity” in the Fruit Brandies round.

One judge said: “With this brandy I get kirsch and a touch of smoke on the palate. Its finish is super long, but it carries it nicely. It’s a lovely product and delivers what you expect.”

The 27.8% abv expression is made with sweet and sour cherry varieties “to give optimal sour­-cherry flavour”, and VSOP and XO Cognacs.

Joseph Barry VS Cape Brandy

Price: £28 (US$36.53)

A Gold medal was bestowed upon the “balanced, tropical” Ladismith Cape Brandy in the South African ­Pot Still Aged 3-9 Years flight.

Produced by Oude Molen, the brandy is made at the Barrydale distillery in South Africa.

The expression is named after English entrepreneur Joseph Barry, who arrived in the Cape Colony in 1817.

Van Ryns Single Pot Still Brandy 10 Year Old

Price: £34.84 (US$45.46)

Master medal-winning Van Ryns Single Pot Still Brandy 10 Year Old was praised for its “well balanced acidity” and “amazing integration” of wood.

“This was a really elegant brandy and a complete joy to taste,” said one judge.

Produced by Distell, the brandy is distilled from Chenin Blanc and Colombard grapes and bottled at 38% abv.

Singani Rujero Colección Privada

Price: £9.50 (US$12.40)

In the rest of the world round, Bolivian brandy Singani Rujero Colección Privada, made using only Muscat of Alexandria grapes, was awarded a Gold medal.

“The nose on this brandy was so inviting,” one judge noted. “It has a wonderful balance – with sweetness on the nose and a herbaceous thyme finish.”

Another member of the panel identified notes of Sauvignon Blanc, elderflower and gooseberry, and said the spirit would be “great in a cocktail”.