E&J VSOP Brandy

As a newcomer to Brandy with a limited budget, I opt for less expensive options. I recently sampled Paul Mason and Christian Brothers, finding them quite similar in flavor. I had some PM remaining before opening and trying CB, wanting to compare. Between the two, I preferred Paul Mason. I began watching and reading reviews, where Paul Mason (French) consistently received positive feedback. Reviews for E&J VSOP were unfavorable, mostly quite poor. Nevertheless, I decided to try it to form my own judgment. I must concur; it is not good, with a very artificial, almost sickeningly intense flavor. I do have some Horchata cinnamon rice milk, so I will add that to this brandy. I will not repurchase E&J VSOP. I will return to purchasing Paul Mason, as it is my preferred choice.

The story goes that I acquired a bottle of this in 2007 based on a friend's suggestion to 'bring some brandy in a flask when you go skiing.' So, I purchased an inexpensive bottle of brandy. This bottle has remained at our mountain residence since then, gathering dust and gradually diminishing as guests have come and gone. Fast forward eleven years, and my enjoyment of whiskey has grown, so I decided to try it again. That being said, I believe this bottle has mellowed and integrated over the past eleven years. I likely wouldn't purchase it now that my preferences lean towards whiskeys and tequilas, but I'm pleased I revisited this bottle and won't let it go to waste.

During a week-long stay in San Diego, I visited a liquor store and decided to try this for under $12. I also bought some 20 oz bottles of Diet Pepsi to mix with it, just in case. Upon the initial taste, I was astonished that this was brandy; it resembled an unrefined bottle of bottom-shelf whiskey. After a few more sips, I couldn't tolerate it and had to chase it with the Diet Pepsi. It lacks smoothness, has an unpleasant taste, and fortunately, the finish is quick, as I couldn't stand any more. If you seek profound, intricate flavors, look elsewhere; this is as deep as a puddle. I'm glad it was only $12.

The aroma is exceptional for an economical choice. The nose reveals an alluring and tempting spectrum of notes including butterscotch, medium caramel, raisin, and apple. A caramel apple is readily discernible in the aroma. A hint of banana and vanilla complete the profile. The taste presents a sweet, yet not overpowering, flavor with pronounced caramel apple, raisin, and vanilla notes. Some youthful characteristics are apparent with a sharp alcohol note mid-palate, but it's forgivable given the moderately long finish concluding with caramel-covered raisins.

Nose - cherry, vanilla, sweet cream, powdered sugar, toffee, light oak, significant ethanol burn. Taste - cherry syrup, pineapple, apple, pear, caramel, vanilla, sweet cream, sweet oak, powdered sugar, cinnamon, baking spice, significant ethanol burn, finishing quite quickly with syrupy sweetness and barrel spice flavors accompanied by considerable heat. This is an improvement over their VS offering, but still not quite suitable for sipping. I think it would work well as a mixer with cola.

Artificial fruitiness, caramel, milk chocolate While appealing conceptually, the actual flavor is underwhelming. It might function as a mixer, but its artificiality makes me hesitant. I would refrain from buying it even if it were the sole brandy available. The candy-like artificial taste is not to my preference, though I acknowledge others may hold a different opinion.