Laird’s 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy is a Apple Brandy from the Laird & Company Apple Brandy brand crafted in Pennsylvania .
Laird's 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy is a testament to American distilling heritage, crafted by the oldest licensed distillery in the United States. This exceptional spirit is made from 100% apple distillate and aged for a minimum of 12 years in oak barrels, resulting in a complex and smooth brandy that captures the essence of orchard-fresh apples with notes of vanilla, spice, and oak. Interestingly, during Prohibition, Laird's was one of the few distilleries allowed to continue production, as their apple brandy was considered a "medicinal spirit" due to its perceived health benefits. This unique exemption helped preserve the company's centuries-old distilling traditions and recipes, allowing us to enjoy this exquisite 12-year-old brandy today.
Laird's 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy stands out as a uniquely American spirit, crafted from 100% apple distillate and aged for over a decade in oak barrels. This exceptional brandy offers cocktail enthusiasts a rich, complex flavor profile with notes of baked apples, vanilla, and spice, making it a versatile and sophisticated alternative to traditional whiskeys or cognacs in classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Sidecar.
Laird's 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy shines when sipped neat in a snifter, allowing its complex flavors to unfold, though it also makes an excellent base for spirit-forward cocktails that showcase its depth. This brandy is perfect for cool autumn evenings, paired with rich, savory dishes like roasted pork or a cheese board featuring sharp aged cheddars and creamy brie.
Nose: Rich aromas of baked apples and cinnamon, with hints of oak and vanilla. A subtle nuttiness emerges, reminiscent of toasted almonds. Faint notes of caramel and dried fruit add complexity.
Palate: Smooth and full-bodied. Flavors of ripe apples and pears are balanced by warm baking spices. Oak influence is prominent, bringing tannins and a touch of tobacco. Caramel sweetness and a slight nuttiness round out the taste.
Finish: Long and warming. Apple notes linger, accompanied by oak spice and a gentle heat. A pleasant dryness develops, with hints of leather and dried fruit. The finish tapers off with a subtle apple skin tartness and residual oak tannins.
Laird's 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy is crafted using a blend of American apple varieties, which are fermented, distilled in copper pot stills, and then aged for a minimum of 12 years in charred oak barrels. What makes this process unique is Laird's commitment to using 100% apples (no neutral grain spirits) and their patience in allowing the brandy to mature for over a decade, resulting in a rich, complex spirit that captures the essence of American apple orchards.
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First product from Lairds, gave as a gift. We very much enjoyed. The aroma is incredible, has some nice heat, slightly sweet. Great bottle.
Upon receipt of the Laird's Rare Apple Brandy, I was impressed. It was bottled in a beautiful bottle that's display worthy. Its nose is strongly apple with hints of cinnamon and caramel. On the palate first comes apple followed by cognac. This is a bottle that I will savor.
I found this brandy to be very easy drink to have on it's own. It has a smooth silky texture, and the flavors mainly express as oak and a light apple flavor. What's fun is that apple flavor stays several minutes after drinking and overall makes for a very nice night sipper.
However I also made a brandy alexander with this bottle and it was hard to taste the brandy in the drink, so keep in mind that this bottle is very delicate and it is easy for it to disappear when mixed.
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Please drink responsibly. CA Residents: Proposition 65 Warning.
