Tag: French brandy

It is that time of year again when we have to review our prices.  In line with so many other price increases that we are experiencing in our lives, the cost of brandy production has increased dramatically too.  Additionally, the government is raising the rate of duty per litre of alcohol to £31.64 on 1st August. ~ We have received the 2023 prices from our suppliers and they have risen more than usual.  Unfortunately, therefore, we have had to apply some uplift to our prices too. ~ The changes will occur on the 1st August 2023 so, if you have some… Read more

It’s that time of year again when fathers everywhere bask in the limelight for one special day.  Father’s Day 2023 falls on Sunday 18th June so what will you be buying to say “thank you” to that very important member of your family? ~ If Dad’s a brandy drinker we have a huge selection of vintage cognac, armagnac and calvados.  All aged to perfection in French Oak barrels they are mellow and flavoursome.  We specialise in single estate, unblended cognacs made by Hermitage so take a look around, starting below with our Offers, you will find many luxurious bottlings with individual flavours. ~ And if brandy… Read more

We are delighted to inform you that, the United States of America has suspended the 25% Tariff on imported European brandies that was levied at the beginning of this year.  It had been hoped that the recent change of administration would look more favourably on European goods so this ‘Tariff Suspended’ news is great for our industry. All our products, with an abv of 40%, or above, and which originated in the European Union, were affected. Initially the Tariff suspension will be for four months but we are all keeping our fingers crossed that it will become a permanent arrangement.

We waited with bated breath as the final details of the UK’s Brexit deal were agreed in December and were pleased to learn that there will be no tariffs due on the importation of French brandies to the UK from 1 January 2021.  Adjustments will need to be made by all, to embed the paperwork now required, but that’s to be expected with such an upheaval.  In the US however, the situation is not so rosy as although it is hoped that the tariff on scotch whisky will be lifted, an EU retaliatory 25% tariff has been placed on imports… Read more

The term “brandy” refers to a spirit distilled from a fruit.  This includes armagnac and cognac as well as a host of other wine brandies made from the indigenous fruits of the region from whence they come. The rigorous controls produced by the various regulatory bodies of each of the two main French wine brandies mean that their products will always be of a recognised quality.  Unfortunately, this is not the case with grape brandies which have no rules to follow.  Most are distilled on large commercial stills from unspecified grape varieties and sold after as little as one year’s… Read more

There is something unusual occurring in the region of armagnac, the people are Gasçons but the closer you get to the centre, around the small town of Eauz, the more they refer to themselves as Armagnaçais. But whatever they call themselves, they are warm and friendly, lovers of rich food and drink especially truffles and ‘foie gras’, and inhabitants of a rural paradise unspoilt by urban sprawls. The region is tucked away about a hundred miles south of Bordeaux. It stretches back from the sands of the Landes through a series of gentle valleys, which have none of the grim… Read more