French brandy essence, how to use it
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Brandy is the one people forget they can make at home, and it's probably the easiest of the lot to get a good result from, because the flavours you're after are warm and rounded rather than sharp. A neutral base, an essence, and a bit of oak if you feel like it.
What a brandy essence gives you
The defining bits of a French brandy are warm caramel, a soft oak influence and a finish that doesn't bite. An essence carries those, so you stir it into a neutral spirit and get there without the years a barrel would have taken.
Worth saying plainly, because it's the question we get asked. Flavouring a bought neutral base is not distilling, so there's no ATO excise licence in it. You're starting from a bottle somebody else already made, which is the whole reason this is the easy end of the range.
How to make it
- Start with a decent neutral base. A rough one will still taste rough underneath the caramel, and brandy is not a flavour that hides much.
- Add the essence at the ratio on the bottle. It moves between products, so the pack is the only place that number is right.
- Let it rest. It needs time to settle before it tastes like anything, and tasting it too early will only disappoint you.
- Take it further with oak if you want to. Oak chips or an oak soaker will deepen it, and a little goes a long way.
Shop related products
- Still Spirits Premium Classic Brandy Essence. The larger batch option, and a good place to start.
- Edwards Essences Brandy Essence. Smaller and cheaper if you want to find out whether you like it first.
- Edwards Essences Vodka Essence. For cleaning up a neutral base before you flavour it.
- Still Spirits Distilling Conditioner. Softens a base that is drinking a bit hot.
Did you know we also stock the Still Spirits Top Shelf French Brandy and the Classic Premium Brandy in the shop, along with Sam Willards oak soakers and the Still Spirits oak cask for ageing it on. Those are not on the website, so give us a ring on (08) 8536 4333 to check what is on the shelf.
Not sure whether brandy or bourbon is more your thing? Brewhilder will talk you through it, or have a look at the homebrew collection.
Oak is the ingredient I am least to be trusted with. More is not better and I know that.
Candeece
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