Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva Brandy De Jerez 70cl, 40% £27.60 at Amazon

• A DELICATE AND CHARISMATIC BRANDY: Carlos I is made from a selection of grape wines and aged in old sherry casks. The result is an unparalleled brandy full of complex notes, capable of evoking sensations and moments of relaxation and enjoyment.
• REFINED AMBER COLOUR: Its distinctive deep amber colour, punctuated with golden accents is a precursor to an intense bouquet with notes of vanilla and cocoa, and an elegant aroma os spicy oak.
• BALANCED AND PERSISTENT FLAVOUR: The complexity of the flavour of Carlos I Brandy gives it a unique and balanced character, full of nuances, which remains in the mouth for greater enjoyment and appreciation of its reminiscence.
• SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve Carlos I straight up in a rocks glass with one or two ice cubes. Add a few drops of Angostura Aromatic Bitters and macerate an orage peel with the help of an imperial spoon. And just enjoy.
• PERFECT PAIRING: Its character and great versatility make Carlos I ideal as an aperitif, an after meal or a cocktail drink. A lovely partner of hazelnuts, almonds, dried apricots and cured cheeses or desserts such as tiramisu or melted chocolate.

Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva

The story of Carlos I dates back to 1889 when a cellar-master found some forgotten barrels in the corner of his cellar. Neither the cellar-master nor anyone else knew where they came from but he realised they contained the most amazing brandy he’d ever tasted. He called it Carlos I to honour a great Spanish King.

Production begins with a selection of the best Airén grapes, distilled in old pot-stills, before ageing in old Amontillado and Oloroso Sherry casks, producing an extraordinary brandy.

Carlos I has a deep, amber colour, with gold accents, it is intensely aromatic with notes of vanilla and cocoa, with great balance, complexity and length on the palate.

Tasting notes:

Appearance - A deep amber colour punctuated with bold golden highlights.

Nose - Intensely aromatic, with notes of vanilla and cocoa.

Palate - In the mouth, it is persistent, balanced and complex.

Serving suggestions:

Serve straight up in a rocks glass with one or two ice cubes. Add a few drops of Angostura Aromatic Bitters and macerate an orange peel with the help of an imperial spoon. Enjoy Carlos I also as a base ingredient for cocktails such as Carlos Cooler, Espresso Carlos or Imperial Manhattan among others.

Brandy de Jerez

Distilled Osborne's historic distillery, Brandy de Jerez must be aged in ex-Sherry casks, and matured using the traditional “Criaderas y Solera” system. Only spirit from the oldest casks is bottled, these being topped up from younger casks in a continuous blending process.

An old family company

Established at the end of the 18th century by young entrepreneur, Thomas Osborne, two centuries later, and still family owned, Osborne has become a large Spanish company specialising in fine wines, spirits and gourmet food of international recognition.