E&J XO Brandy

This is extremely sweet, with notes of caramel and toffee, supported by bananas and raspberries. Wood and some spices, including clove, ginger, and nutmeg, are certainly present, but they are more in the background. There's some depth as the flavor evolves, but the taste is also cloyingly sweet. The balance is decent, however. It possesses more depth and less sugary sweetness than George Ocean Spiced Rum, but it's still excessively sweet. It's actually quite good as a rum mixer, but it's not a brandy worth drinking straight. Frankly, if you'd told me it was a rum, I'd probably commend it. Strangely, drinking it after something sweet makes it taste like Baiju. The flavor is young, but there's also a good amount happening. The sweetness is likely too much for many, and it has a rum-like taste. There are floral notes that give it a slightly mineral quality, caramel, banana, a hint of apple, some mild chocolate richness from the wood, vanilla, and perhaps a touch of red fruit. If the flavor were a bit more pronounced and less sweet, this could be excellent, but it tastes somewhat like children's candy. As it stands, it's a bit weak with some unconventional flavors that might not appeal to someone seeking a brandy. This is a surprisingly drinkable brandy, although it tastes more like rum. The aroma is vanilla, banana, and caramel. The palate is sweet with vanilla, caramel, banana, anise, and a slightly unpleasant alcoholic note that causes a bit of a burn. The flavor shifts somewhat over time, making this a moderately complex drink. It would be an excellent mixer with eggnog. The aroma has a sweet cherry scent with a hint of anise that evokes Baiju. It smells somewhat interesting and balanced, though on the sweet side. Some vanilla and tartness briefly appear in the aroma. The palate is fairly viscous with all the sweetness. Cherry syrup is present, but it's more subtle, like in brandied cherries, and some of the anise also comes through. The syrup is a bit much, but it's not unpleasant. A milk chocolate note emerges, but a burst of alcohol briefly appears too, and some powdered sugar is hinted at. That cherry syrup ultimately comes across as a little artificial, somewhat like Irish whiskey. It's far sweeter than Bushmill's Black and lacks the balance and grassy notes (though there is some complexity here amidst the sweetness). Green Spot also has better balance and complexity, surpassing both this and Bushmill's Black, though it's not an overwhelming victory. There's far too much sugar in this, but it could work as a liqueur. It would be on the sweeter side of liqueurs, but its flavor would be suitable. It's less decadent in a nectar-like way than Licor 43, but it also has a pleasing immediate complexity that I appreciate. This might not reach the level of Grand Marnier, but it performs well for its price point in terms of complexity and taste. The alcohol might be a bit strong, but that's expected from a high-proof liqueur?

I'm fond of this brandy. Having tried only two others previously, one mediocre and one terrible (Asbach and E&J VS), this is far superior. The flavor and smoothness are remarkable, and the price is excellent. The nose offers sweet fruits like grapes or raisins, complemented by a rich amber color and a nice coating in the Glencairn glass. The body truly shines with a lush, smooth profile of vanilla and dark brown sugar, reminiscent of sugar cookies with a heavy dose of dark brown sugar, rather than caramel or toffee. The finish is pleasantly sweet without being syrupy. Overall, a very good drink at a fantastic price point, costing $13 here and on sale for $10. I haven't mixed it yet but plan to. It's a solid choice to stock your bar.

Nose - maple syrup, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, melted butter, butter pecan ice cream, raisin, with a high ethanol burn. Taste - butter pecan ice cream, french toast, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, hot cross bun, brown sugar, caramel syrup, boozy raisin, with a moderate alcohol bite. The finish is longer than expected, combining all the dessert flavors mentioned above. Another reviewer noted that this tastes like all of your childhood's worst nutritional choices, and I wholeheartedly agree. It's so heavily dosed with artificial flavorings that it's almost enjoyable. At the very least, it would work as a tasty, sweet mixer. It's arguably a slight improvement over the VS and VSOP versions, but that's not a significant endorsement.

A significant improvement. Further aging has reduced the burn (still slightly noticeable) and introduced potent aromas (maple, warm brown sugar, dried fruit, vanilla) and flavors (caramel initially, then fig/honey). It's an enjoyable sipper, though not exceptionally complex. It's become a regular winter choice. Well-presented and inexpensive, costing just $8.20 for 375 mL. I'd appreciate seeing E&J offer a 10-12 year "ultrapremium" brandy to complement their lineup, similar to how Korbel lacks an XO but has a 12-year offering. However, this E&J XO is commendable for adding substance to the rest of their brandy range.

Nose: Toasted, dry vanilla with hints of caramel and toffee. Slightly astringent. A touch of grilled banana and grape taffy. Palate: Medium viscosity, coating the mouth but a bit sticky. Very vanilla and toffee forward, with a subtle warm spice that complements the sweetness. Hints of grape taffy are also present. Finish: Medium length, slightly sweet but with a noticeable astringency and ethanol. Summary: My initial foray into brandy reviews after transitioning from whiskey. The palate is pleasant, but the nose and finish are lacking. Not much can be expected from a sub-$20 bottle. It would likely serve well as a mixer.

Many dismiss E&J. Perhaps a prior poor tasting, perhaps they simply dislike it, but I'm happy to differ. The XO presents a medium golden-brown hue with a faint rim. Excessively sugary aromas of caramel evoke a mall's candy shop. Beyond the caramel, hints of banana, allspice, and nutmeg emerge, concluding with a spicy finish. The palate is sweet with vanilla, anise, and mild warmth. A lingering finish. It's a dependable, affordable Brandy.