These are the best bottles of brandy for flaming your Christmas pudding
Fire up the festivities this Christmas
Words: Jonathan Wells
It’s the most decadent time of the year. Christmas is upon us, and, with it, comes more opulent, rich foods than you can shake a cranberry-sauce-smothered turkey drumstick at. And, the most crucial culinary part of the festive season? The firing of the Christmas pudding.
In many households, it’s a tradition – a time-honoured, booze-soaked ceremony. We douse the dessert in the best brandy we can get our hands on and light it up as the flaming festive centrepiece of the dinner table. But, buy the wrong bottle and you risk putting out your own Christmas spirit. So, to avoid any soggy puds and mild flavours, we’ve uncorked the best brandies money can buy.
For brandy-making heritage: Delamain Pale & Dry XO Centenaire
This incredible brandy begins life on vines in the Grande Champagne hamlet of Bellevigne, and is aged in old oak casks in Delamain’s semi-underground cellars. With a colour even richer than its illustrious heritage, it’s the perfect cognac for Christmas.
The nose has exotic notes of mango, lychee and nectarine. On the palate, it is delicately dotted with touches of peach, wildflowers and vanilla, with faint hints of hazelnut and chestnut also in the delectable mix. Ending on a lingering honey and almond finish, it’s a journey of sumptuous, seasonal sensations.
For an Italian option: Vecchia Romagna Riserva 18 Year Old Brandy
Vecchia Romagna is the world’s best-selling Italian brandy, and it’s bursting with as much colourful character and punchy, potent style as its compatriots. Since 1939, the brand has been bottling its brandy in distinctive triangular glassware (this 18 Year Old expression comes in a handsome three-sided box).
The liquid itself is beautiful. It’s a bold, exceedingly well-balanced brandy that's initially matured in oak but finished in barrels that nursed a delectable Amarone Della Valpolicella red wine to old age. Expect aromas of dried fruit, walnut and figs, as well as the recognisably ‘pudding-y’ flavours of cinnamon, cloves, prunes and coffee.
For a full flavour: ABK6 Single Estate Cognac
One of the most important parts of flaming a pudding is heating the spirit. Get your brandy in a long-handled metal ladle and heat it over a gas flame until hot. Of course, this means you need a spirit that can stand up to this searing punishment.
With aromas of spiced wood, brioche cake and cinnamon, this bottle from ABK6 not only fits that bill, but also ticks the Christmas box with confidence. Finishing with fruity notes, once you’re done with the pudding, this will help make a great French Manhattan cocktail.
For the best of both worlds: Vallein-Tercinier XO 46° Small Batch Cognac
Sometimes, creating the best brandy takes a blend. As with whisky, some may turn their noses up at blends, but there’s something charmingly honest about this un-chillfiltered, naturally coloured Cognac from Vallein-Tercinier.
A blend of 25-year-old and 15-year-old faux-de-vie, you get the best of both worlds on the palate. That means the fresh flavours of stone fruits, honey and orange, but also the heavier, steeped aromas of rich stewed fruits and fiery ginger spice.
For sheer seasonal decadence: Martell XO Cognac
Martell’s XO Cognac is nothing short of a triumph; a masterpiece of blending that’s almost wasted by burning on your Christmas pudding.
But, then again, Christmas is a time for decadence, and there’s nothing like this rich brandy with impressive depth – and a surprisingly elegant, subtle texture – to douse your pudding in. So, go on, treat yourself.
For a sumptuous flaming: Remy Martin XO Excellence
There are certain foods and drinks that are unapologetically rich. Christmas pudding is one, and brandy is another. Remy Martin’s XO Excellence steps things up a gear, with ripe fig, candied orange and juicy prune aromas coming together in a bottle of unrivalled sumptuousness.
Texture, complexity and richness, this brandy has it all. And, our favourite thing about it is the delicate jasmine and iris top notes that somehow still come across despite the richness and depth of the heart flavours. Splash your pudding, then pour yourself a double measure on the rocks – and thank us later.
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