{"product_id":"torres-jaime-i-brandy-700ml","title":"Torres Jaime I Brandy 700ml","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"431\"\u003eAlthough \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCognac, France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e dominates the modern brandy market, it is not the only producer of exceptional grape based spirits. Over the past century, strong marketing has helped elevate Cognac to the top of the brandy hierarchy, with several houses becoming cultural icons. Meanwhile, other regions with long distilling traditions have often remained less prominent, highlighting the global influence of Cognac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"433\" data-end=\"854\"\u003eNevertheless, outstanding grape spirits are produced elsewhere, often attracting far less attention. Both Australia and South Africa continue to craft world class brandies. Notably, a single estate South African brandy produced by \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eKWV\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e was awarded “Best Brandy in the World” at the 2010 London International Spirits Competition. Australia also produces some exceptional XO style brandies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"856\" data-end=\"894\"\u003eSpain: The quiet giant of brandy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"895\" data-end=\"1292\"\u003eSpain is the second largest brandy producer after France and has a rich distilling heritage dating back to the 8th century, when Arab influences helped introduce distillation techniques. For many years, Spanish raw spirit was exported to the Netherlands, but during the phylloxera crisis of the 1880s that devastated French vineyards, Spanish brandy briefly became a popular alternative to Cognac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1953\"\u003eToday, two Spanish regions hold Denominación de Origen protection for brandy, namely \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eJerez, Andalucía, Spain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003ePenedès, Catalonia, Spain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. In Jerez, most of the grapes, particularly Airén and Palomino varieties, are cultivated in \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eLa Mancha, Spain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e before being transported for ageing in Sherry casks, a practice that strongly shapes the flavour profile. Fino casks impart light, nutty characteristics, Oloroso casks create deeper, richer tones, while Pedro Ximénez casks contribute intense dried fruit sweetness. Ageing typically takes place in 500 litre American oak barrels using the traditional solera system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1955\" data-end=\"1995\"\u003ePenedès: Cognac’s spiritual cousin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1996\" data-end=\"2442\"\u003eThe region of \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCatalonia, Spain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e offers a style closer to Cognac in both grape selection, often including Ugni Blanc, and production methods such as pot still distillation and maturation in French oak from \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eLimousin, France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. However, producers such as \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eBodegas Torres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e combine French inspiration with Spanish tradition, frequently using solera ageing to craft complex, balanced spirits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2444\" data-end=\"2732\"\u003eThe solera system, familiar to sherry enthusiasts, blends multiple vintages to maintain consistency and complexity. Over time, younger brandy gradually absorbs the character of older stocks, a process which Spanish producers poetically describe as the older spirit “teaching” the younger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2734\" data-end=\"2768\"\u003eTorres: A refined expression\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2769\" data-end=\"3223\"\u003eAlthough Torres is a large scale producer, it retains a strong artisanal philosophy. Its brandies are not intended to replicate Cognac, but instead offer a richer style with notes of stewed fruit, spice cake and a subtle influence reminiscent of aged Rutherglen Muscat, while keeping sweetness carefully restrained. This style particularly appeals to those who prefer depth and balance, especially if contemporary Cognacs feel overly sweet or commercial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3225\" data-end=\"3401\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eFor those who have visited \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eBarcelona, Spain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the Gaudí inspired bottle design, created by architect Tanaka, provides a final elegant and distinctive touch.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pourly","offers":[{"title":"700ml \/ 38%","offer_id":51053293207830,"sku":null,"price":183.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/3957\/7622\/files\/4_0a779f29-832b-4f7a-a112-0db2553783bd.webp?v=1771824390","url":"https:\/\/www.pourly.com.au\/products\/torres-jaime-i-brandy-700ml","provider":"Pourly","version":"1.0","type":"link"}