Brandy Torres: history, how to make, types + how to drink

One of the most popular Spanish drinks, premium grape brandy, is produced by a family business founded in Catalonia at the end of the XNUMXth century. Today the company owns vineyards not only in its homeland, but also in California and Chile, choosing only the best terroirs for planting.

Over the years of the company’s existence on the board of “Torres” five generations of winemakers managed to change, but the traditions and quality of products have always remained unchanged. Striving for excellence is the main principle of the company.

The farm is engaged in the production of classic wines and spirits exclusively from its own raw materials. Many of them belong to the elite categories: DO (controlled by region of origin), DOC (excellent quality), Reserva and Gran Reserva (aged).

brandy cocktails

Brand History

It is assumed that the Torres family began to engage in viticulture and small-scale sale of wines in the XNUMXth century.

However, the date of foundation of the company is considered to be 1870, when the brothers Jaime and Miguel officially registered a joint business.

The most significant for the company was 1929, when numerous experiments and the search for successful technologies led to the creation of a unique drink with a mild taste based on selected white wines.

The original brandy took root among the Spanish population and in the blink of an eye glorified the Torres brand.

The civil war slightly shook the financial position of the company, but soon the economy began to work in full force and returned the lost positions.

The plant underwent a large-scale reconstruction in 1939; in the 60s, vine growing technologies were modernized.

By the end of the 70s, the Torres brand successfully mastered the American wine market, and after quite a bit of time, the world market.

Today, the company’s products are sold and are popular in 150 countries, due to their high quality and recognizable taste.

Manufacturing specifics

Brandy “Torres” is made using Spanish cognac technology. It includes the traditional distillation of the wine in an alembic and further processing by the solera method.

The unique fluid aging system is used only in Spain. It allows you to activate the maturation of the drink and give it a bright character.

Technology means:

  1. Placement of alcoholic distillate in oak barrels arranged in tiers in the form of a pyramid (from 3 to 7 layers). At the top is the youngest wine, at the bottom is the oldest.

  2. Using the contents of different barrels to create ready-made brandy, which are never completely emptied.

  3. Gradual replenishment of the lower tanks with ripening products from the upper layers, which ensures uniform movement of drinks and a homogeneous composition of each batch of distillate.

According to the Spaniards, an unusual method allows young spirits to share power and energy with the old, and the old – to transfer part of their “wisdom and experience” to the young. Almost like in human society.

Torres brandy classification

All strong drinks of the brand, as well as any products made using the solera method, are divided into 3 categories:

  1. Solera – young drinks aged in oak barrels for at least six months.

  2. Hearth Reserve – products with an exposure of at least 3 years.

  3. Solera Grand Reserve – the most “resistant” drinks, aged “in oak” for more than 5 years, an average of 8-12.

Types of Brandy Torres

what should be real cognac

  1. James I

    Noble aromatic drink made from white wines of the Parellada variety, distilled in copper stills and aged in American oak barrels.

    To get the best blend when creating a drink, the youngest and oldest products from solera vessels are mixed.

    After a long maturation brandy acquires a sensual fruity taste with subtle woody, spicy and nutty notes.

    The shade of the drink resembles a dark tree, vanilla and caramel are present in the aroma.

  2. towers 5

    A young drink with a bright playful character, aged according to the solera method.

    The shade is dominated by mahogany with soft golden highlights.

    Bouquet: deep, dense, with tones of wood, walnut and dried fruit.

    Aftertaste: spicy-vanilla with a slight trail of cinnamon.

  3. towers 10

    The world’s most popular Spanish brandy “Gran Reserva”.

    Harmonious bouquet and strong character give the drink elegant oily oak shades and powerful fruit tones of noble wines.

    The aroma contains cinnamon-vanilla notes.

    The taste is round, warm, rich in tannins.

  4. towers 15

    The delicate and rich taste of this product is able to satisfy the requirements of the most demanding gourmet.

    The bouquet contains notes of vanilla, dried fruits, citrus fruits, burnt wood.

    Color – amber with gold. The scent is subtle and elegant.

  5. Torres 20 Hors d’Age

    A drink made from Parellada and Ugni Blanc varieties, double distilled in a copper cube and aged in selected oak barrels.

    The shade of the noble brandy is dark amber, the aroma is warm, deep, fruity, with a delicate nutty plume.

    The taste is dominated by spices: vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon.

There are many international awards on the account of different types of brandy. The most titled are “Jaime I” and “Torres 20 Hors d’Age”.

Recommendations for use

  1. Drinking strong drinks “Torres”, according to tradition, follows after eating in its pure form.

  2. An appetizer of red meat or an addition in the form of a cigarette and coffee is allowed.

  3. For women, chocolate or a slice of lemon is considered a harmonious combination.

  4. If the brandy seems too strong, you can dilute it with soda, orange juice, or throw a couple of ice cubes into the glass.

  5. It is not recommended to drink the drink warm.

What is the difference between brandy and cognac

Relevance: 25.12.2018

Tags: Brandy and Cognac, Brandy Brands

Leave a Reply