Osborne Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez

The Orthodox Easter celebration is still going on after three days, and one of my uncles brought out a bottle of Spanish brandy. I believe it was a recent bottling because the alcohol content was 40% and the label looked different. - It has a dark amber color. - The aroma is vanilla and fruity. - The taste includes vanilla and cocoa notes. It's very smooth. - The finish is sweet and delicate. The bottle mentioned it was aged in very old Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks, so I'm guessing it's comparable to an XO cognac given its smooth character. It was a pleasant surprise.

NOSE: Intense notes of blood orange, raisins, dried figs, caramelized popcorn, and vanilla. The bouquet suggests maturity with hints of toasted almonds and furniture polish. Stunning. PALATE: Zesty flavors of cardamom, clove, and ginger. Some butterscotch. The finish is brief yet smooth. OVERALL: Wonderful aroma with a straightforward taste. Excellent alongside chocolate desserts or fresh fruit.

My father suggested I try a full liter of this, and it wasn't very good. The initial taste is quite harsh, causing watering eyes. The aroma is pleasant, and to be fair, it's much better when mixed in cocktails, like an old fashioned. I've heard the XO version is the one to get.

Scent hints at caramelized wood, vanilla, faint dried grapes, and wine-like notes. Tastes of light oak, vanilla, and very subtle fruity sherry notes. Acceptable overall, but the aroma is more captivating than the flavor.

Notes of vanilla, wood, and a touch of cacao. Coming to you from the Philippines, so the bottle cost might vary. I think it's a reasonable price for what you get.

The aroma features woody, fruity notes and raisins; the taste includes licorice, anise, fruit, nuts, and sweetness.