E&J Vs Brandy

E&J VS is a California brandy bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof), and it's labeled under the cognac category in this store's catalog. Strictly speaking, the name "cognac" is reserved for spirits from the Cognac region of France. A California brandy like this one follows its own production traditions. The VS designation points to the youngest tier in the classic grading system. In French cognac, VS means at least two years in oak, and American brandies use the same shorthand loosely. Expect a straightforward, fruit-forward profile with light oak influence: stewed apple and pear, a little dried apricot or raisin, vanilla, and a gentle caramel finish. The reference copy describes a rich amber color and a blend of aged brandies, so a mellow, easygoing body is a reasonable thing to expect. Spirits at this level are made for mixing more than for slow contemplation. Neat in a snifter, a VS shows its character mostly through its fruit and sweetness rather than through layered oak, so a small pour at cool room temperature, roughly 60 to 65°F, keeps the alcohol from overwhelming the aroma. A few drops of water or a single large ice cube will soften the edges for anyone who finds 40% a bit warm. Warming the glass in your hands also brings out the vanilla. Cocktails are where a bottle like this earns its place. A Sidecar, built from 2 ounces of brandy, three-quarters of an ounce each of orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice, shaken hard and strained into a chilled coupe, lets the brandy's fruit stand up to the citrus without costing much per drink. A Brandy Alexander (equal parts brandy, dark crème de cacao and cream, shaken and finished with grated nutmeg) is a classic use, since the cocoa and cream suit a softer, sweeter brandy. In a New Orleans-style Sazerac, brandy works as the base or as a partner to rye, with Peychaud's bitters, a sugar cube and an absinthe rinse. It also makes a solid Brandy Old Fashioned, which is a Wisconsin staple. Serve each of these cold. Stir or shake with plenty of ice and use a pre-chilled glass. For food, pair it with baked apples, pecan pie, aged cheddar, or a hot cider with a shot added in cold weather.