Vecchia Romagna 25yo Riserva

Vecchia Romagna 25yo Riserva

Brandy: Stravecchio
From: Emilia Romagna
House: Vecchia Romagna
Style: Single distillery
Colour: Oolong tea
ABV: 40%

N: Raisins, red grapes, dark chocolate, orange zest, vanilla, pear drops, hints of rose.

M: Medium body, slippery, tingly, warm.

T: Bitter sweet. Dark chocolate, orange zest, oolong tea, hints of coffee, hints of leather.

F: Long. Orange zest, butterscotch, leather, oolong tea, coffee.

Comments:

Oddly, for a country with a long and storied brandy making tradition, Italy does not seem to have an accepted term for grape brandy. Pomace brandy, is, of course, grappa, but brandy distilled from grape wine within the borders of Italy seems to be known by the brand of the producer. However, there are a couple of sources that seem to use 'stravecchio' as a term for grape brandy, so that's what I shall use. It's also a brand of brandy, Stravecchio Branca, made by the famous Fratelli Branca distillers, who also make Fernet Branca.

This stravecchio brandy comes from Emilia Romagna, from a winery that makes its spirit Cognac-style, aging it in French oak. The result of 25 years in wood is stunning. The spirit itself is robust, and stands up to all that aging, with notes of orange, tea, and coffee, over a subtle hint of leather. It's rather in the style of aged whiskies that I, a brandy novice, find familiar, comforting and enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.