Brandy Sainte Louise Pale and Old Brandy Brandy Sainte Louise

Brandy Sainte Louise was created to fulfill the desire of bartenders who have been searching for a classic, fruit-forward brandy, crafted in the centuries-old tradition of French negociants collaborating with a celebrated Cellar Master, Le Maître de Chai.

While researching historic late 19th and early 20th century cocktail recipes, spirits industry veteran, Jennifer Querbes, was inspired by the overwhelming proportion of early mixed drink recipes that include brandy as the primary base spirit. However, due to the few offerings of “cocktail-friendly” brandies and the relatively high cost of most cognacs, bartenders often neglect these timeless brandy-based cocktails, opting instead for base spirits that meet the desired price-to-quality ratio.

Leveraging her expertise and passion for cognacs and brandies, Jennifer made it her mission to create a superior spirit — the type of high quality French brandy that was available decades ago — at a price point that would allow bartenders to once again offer classic brandy-based cocktails.

Employing the tradition and process of the French brandy negociant, Jennifer began working with a French Cellar Master to achieve her vision. She proposed to the Cellar Master the challenge of blending the best regional eaux-de-vie of varying ages to produce a rich and balanced quintessential French brandy. The final blend was achieved with the help of numerous bartenders nationwide. Jennifer took her samples cross country, allowing bartenders to review and experiment with the brandy in a wide range of classic cocktail recipes.

The result of these collaborations is a unique blend of Charentais copper pot distilled eaux-de-vie, aged in French oak between 3 to 10 years in the Cognac region of Charente. The terroir and expertise in this region are legendary and have set the highest standards for brandy production throughout history.

In regard to age comparison, Brandy Sainte Louise lies between V.S. and X.O. but is offered at a price previously reserved for much younger brandies that are less mature in flavor profile. The increased ABV of 43% benefits its function in cocktails, showcasing the flavor and aroma of the Brandy while providing balance and structure for accompanying ingredients.

Available to the US market in 2018, Brandy Sainte Louise represents a classic brandy unmatched in the 21st century in terms of quality and price. With Brandy Sainte Louise, discerning cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike can now reopen their vintage cocktail books and craft the finest brandy-based cocktails from the past.