GB= Generic bottle
CB= Comrade Brandy bottling
Maker: Laird’s, Scobeyville, New Jersey/North Garden, Viginia, USA
Age
GB: 4.5 y/o
CB: 5.33 y/o
Bottled
GB: 12/11/18
CB: 5/20/19
Bottle
GB: 118/192
CB: 157/168
ABV: 65.8%
Purchased for
GB: $45
CB: $50
Appearance
GB: Pale copper.
CB: Darker. New penny.
Nose
GB: Alcohol, old oak, cider, young Calvados.
CB: Leather, crushed apples, middle-aged Calvados.
Palate
GB: Caramel apple, burn.
CB: More middle-aged Calvados. Chocolate-covered candy apple, vanilla, honey.
Finish
GB: Sweet apples, alcohol, a bit of oak.
CB: Richer and leatherier. Dark chocolate, cider, burn.
Thanks to John Creek and Bhavik Patel for getting Comrade Brandy together.
Parting words: Laird’s is the bourbon-lovers’ apple brandy and I, a bourbon lover, love Laird’s. I was excited when it was announced that Laird’s was going to be releasing a high-proof single barrel edition, so as soon as it hit the stores and went out and bought a barrel. A few weeks later, I found myself in a Facebook group for a private barrel pick of that very same product. So I took the opportunity to write up another one of my beloved head to head tasting reviews.
I enjoyed both of these but Comrade Brandy had more Calvados-like depth and complexity than the off-the-shelf model. I’m very glad I decided to buy two bottles but I kind of wish I had purchased more. I was sent two I didn’t order accidentally, but I can’t just keep them, right? Right? Laird’s Single Cask selection is recommended.
Sipology 