Van Ryn's 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Brandy (750ml)
World's Best Brandy for the 2nd consecutive year at the 2024 World Drinks Awards.
Van Ryn’s 15-Year-Old Potsill Brandy has been awarded World’s Best Wine Brandy for the second consecutive year, beating fierce competition from France, Spain, Australia and other prominent brandy producers in the category. It marks the fourth time within five years that Van Ryn's brandy has been awarded the title. In 2020 their 12-Year-Old expression achieved the same accolade, followed by Van Ryn’s 20-Year-Old Potstill Brandy in 2022 and most recently the 15-Year-Old in 2023 and 2024. The panel of international judges praised the Van Ryn’s 15-Year-Old as “A graceful liquid with notes of liquorice and toffee and the thick creaminess of clotted cream. Stone fruit on the palate, as well as a drizzle of golden syrup and some residual tannic fruit.”
Marlene Bester, Master Blender, says achieving the World’s Best title twice in a row is definitely a highlight for the team. “Year-on-year our brandies receive the World’s Best accolades, showcasing our commitment to innovation, quality and the art of crafting exceptional brandy, building on our reputation as one of the world’s leading fine brandy houses.”
The Van Ryn’s Brandy range is made in the same specialised production methods used for the production of Cognac. It also differs in several important respects. South Africa’s viticultural regions are warmer and dryer than Cognac resulting in higher sugar levels in the grapes used for distillation (mostly chenin blanc or colombard, two varieties that are naturally high in acidity). Grapes destined for brandy production are usually picked earlier than those intended for table wine production. On average, however, the base wine in South Africa comes from riper grapes than other brandy producing areas. The higher sugars are believed to impart more fruity flavours, especially stone fruits like peach and apricot. These flavours are generally considered markers for quality South African styles.
Bester adds that at Van Ryn’s they understand the importance of time. “We allow our brandies the luxury of maturation for several years, quietly developing their complex layers of flavours during their slumber. Although we lose approximately 3% of volume per year to the Angel’s Share, the result is an incredibly smooth brandy that rewards in character and quality.”
Other reviews... Delightfully complex on the nose with moreish aromas of fruit, biscuits, and nuts. The textured palate offers restrained fruit flavours, reminiscent of Christmas cake, almond icing, and fruity chocolate. Boasts a long, smooth, stylish finish. 98 points - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024