Top pours: The Brandy Masters 2026 results
Countries all over the globe are making interesting brandies that captivated the judges in our annual taste test.
“Every year it feels like brandy is going to have its moment because it’s got the potential. It blows my mind that brandy isn’t just one of the most revered spirits on earth,” Joel Fraser, co-founder of Seven Tails Brandy told The Spirits Business last year. Look at the results of The Brandy Masters 2026 and it’s easy to empathise with Fraser’s perspective. This is a category brimming with quality products and top-shelf liquid – much of which comes at reasonable prices.
So, for those already keeping an eye on the brandy category, which products are worth seeking out?
To answer this question, a panel of expert tasters headed to The Singer Tavern in London. The judges were divided into two groups, the first of which comprised: Joe Wadsack, journalist and broadcaster, Clint Cawood, freelance spirits journalist, and Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions.
Panel number two consisted of: Matt Chambers, co-founder of Whisky For Everyone, Richard Legg, founder of Distilled Knowledge, and Bryan Rodriguez-Curtis, wine and spirits expert, and experienced spirits buyer, who chaired the group.
The opening flight, French Brandies, delivered a plethora of Silver medals – with four out of five awarded to Bardinet for a selection of Beehive expressions. Among the medallists was Silver winner Beehive 170th, which offered “stone fruit and little raisin” on the nose, leading to “sweet caramel, vanilla, and more stone fruit flavours”. “Bright, sweet, approachable” Brandy Sainte Louise by Ricou Spirits also secured a Silver medal in this flight.
‘Elegant start’
After France, the competition explored brandy from Moldova, and awarded a Gold medal to Noi Divin Gold 5*. “The nose has a very elegant start to it,” noted Rodriguez-Curtis. “The palate has a style that reminds me of aged Bourbon, with baked banana, grilled pineapple, and dried citrus peels.”
Colombian brandy had a strong flight, with a trio of Gold medals and one Silver bestowed upon products made by Brandy Domecq. The Gold awarded went to: Brandy Domecq 12 Years Old, which presented “fruitiness, some gentle spice, and a dry mid-palate”; Brandy Noble 8 VSOP, for its “subtle oak spice, eaux-de-vie character, and light florals on the nose”; and “bold and vibrant” Brandy Noble 12 XO, with its “velvety texture, caramelised apples and dry spice” flavours.
From the US, two products were applauded by the judges: Copper & Kings Apple Brandy Bottled-in-Bond took home a Gold medal for showcasing flavours of “spun sugar, wood spice, plump sultanas and candied lemon peel”. Stablemate Copper & Kings American Brandy VSOP secured a Silver medal.
Albanian brandy was a new concept to the judges, but they enjoyed Gonxhe, which was found to be deserving of a Silver medal. “Grape notes, some sweet fruitiness and light earthy character”.
However, it was during a flight of Ukrainian brandies that the first Master of the tasting was discovered: Aznauri Black Barrel. “Silky texture. Great balance of sweetness and dryness: apricot jam, raisins, toffee, cooked apples – delicious,” noted Kiely. A Gold medal was also awarded to Aznauri Gold Reserve, which lived up to its name and impressed with “jammy fruits and a hint of camomile and black tea”. A Silver medal for Aznauri Espresso completed the round.
Chinese brandy was also an exciting concept for the judges to explore. A Gold medal went to Kwun Cheung Kumquat Brandy Aged in Chanbai Mountains Mongolian Oak. The judges detected notes of “cocoa and milk chocolate, charred oak, raisins, apricots and lots of caramel”.
The penultimate flight of the day was South Africa – Pot Still Brandy – Aged 10-12 Years, where the second Master medallist of the day was found. The coveted award was presented to Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 12 Years Old for its “excellent quality, rich mouthfeel and good body and texture”. Tasting notes included “Cognac-esque aromas, touches of grape, wood, raisin, spice, vanilla, and baked apple”. Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 10 Years Old also won a Gold medal with “hints of tropical fruit, sultanas and some warming gingerbread spice”.
Completing the day’s flights was a round of South African pot still brandies aged for more than 13 years. The round delivered the final Master of the day: Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 20 Years Old. Chambers commented: “Lovely brandy – round, good texture, fantastic balance of sweetness and spice. Fruity, raisins, caramel, grape, warm spice mid-palate, and some dryness on the finish with delicious sweet caramel.” A Gold medal was also dished out to Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 15 Years Old, which was “stunning, complex, and full of bright apple, pear, and caramel”.
All that was left for the judges to do was to retaste the three Master awards. Each expression stood out in its own right, but securing the top Taste Master accolade this year was Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 12 Years Old. The judges once again reflected on the fruitiness of this brand, detecting more “tropical notes – beautiful”.
The 2026 tasting gives just a snapshot into the vast world of brandy. But it clearly shows the category’s potential is there – it’s now up to producers to harness it and turn it into success.
| French Brandies | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| La Martiniquaise-Bardinet | Beehive Honey Spirit Drink | Silver |
| La Martiniquaise-Bardinet | Beehive 170th | Silver |
| La Martiniquaise-Bardinet | Beehive XO | Silver |
| La Martiniquaise-Bardinet | Beehive VSOP | Silver |
| Ricou Spirits | Brandy Sainte Louise | Silver |
| Other Region – Moldova | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Zernoff Beverages | Noi Divin Gold 5* | Gold |
| Other Region – Colombia | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Brandy Domecq | Brandy Domecq 12 Years Old | Gold |
| Brandy Domecq | Brandy Noble 8 VSOP | Gold |
| Brandy Domecq | Brandy Noble 12 XO | Gold |
| Brandy Domecq | Brandy Domecq Clásico | Silver |
| Other Region – US | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Copper & Kings | Apple Brandy Bottled-in-Bond | Gold |
| Copper & Kings | American Brandy VSOP | Silver |
| Other Region – Albania | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| SpiritMax | Gonxhe | Silver |
| Other Region – Ukraine | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Global Beverage Trade | Aznauri Black Barrel | Master |
| Global Beverage Trade | Aznauri Gold Reserve | Gold |
| Global Beverage Trade | Aznauri Espresso | Silver |
| Other Region – China | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Guangzhou Shunchangyuan Wine&Spirit Co | Kwun Cheung Kumquatt Brandy Aged in Changbai Mountains Mongolian Oak | Gold |
| South Africa – Pot Still – Aged 10-12 Years | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Heineken Beverages | Van Ryn’s Single Pot Still Brandy 12 Years Old | Taste Master and Master |
| Heineken Beverages | Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 10 Year Old | Gold |
| South Africa – Pot Still – Aged over 13 Years | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Heineken Beverages | Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 20 Years Old | Master |
| Heineken Beverages | Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 15 Years Old | Gold |
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