Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Laird's Applejack86 Apple Brandy
Product Story
Laird’s has returned to their roots to create a straight Apple Brandy bottled at 86 proof as they had done prior to prohibition. No fewer than eight varieties of American-grown apples are used to create this beautiful spirit. Seventeen pounds of fresh, tree-ripened apples are needed to produce each single bottle. The house-crafted cider is distilled in their combination pot/column still to 160 proof. The spirit’s proof is dropped to 130 proof and placed into 55 gallon charred oak barrels for aging. When the Brandy is ideally mature it is adjusted to 86 proof and bottled ready for lovers of great American Brandies. It’s a true American classic. 93 points.
Brand Story
In 1698, Alexander Laird emigrated from County Fife, Scotland to America where he settled in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Alexander was believed to be a skilled distiller and he produced Applejack for his use, as well as friends and neighbors. His reputation flourished as evidenced by George Washington writing to the Laird family to ask for the recipe for their “cyder spirits.” It wasn’t until 1780 that Robert Laird sold the family's famous Applejack commercially. During the dark days of Prohibition Joseph T. Laird Jr. kept the company alive by selling apple products such as applesauce and sweet cider. In 1933 Laird was granted a federal license under the Prohibition Act to produce Apple Brandy for “medicinal purposes”. This allowed the Laird brothers to re-open the distillery. Post Prohibition the Laird distillery boomed again. During World War II Laird & Company converted an area of their distillery to the production of fruit pectin to aid in the war effort. Today Laird & Company remains a family business with a member of the family's eighth generation leading the company. They offer nine unique Apple Brandies including their Laird's 10th Generation Bottled in Bond 5 Years Old Apple Brandy that earned 4 1/2 Stars from BevX — we recommend that you try this great Brandy as well. Laird's is a true American classic.
Tasting Note
Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of baked apples with accents of sweet, charred oak, caramel, vanilla fudge, and hints of five-spice. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich yet sprite, apple-driven core with supporting notes of brown baking spices, sweet caramel, oak, and cinnamon. Full-bodied with sweet fruit supported by a generous dose of spice and caramel balanced with bright acidity. This is an American classic and it's as good as ever. $24.99 –
How to Serve
Sip straight or over ice. It's a must for the classic Jack Rose cocktail and super in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. We love it simply served in a tall glass with ice and ginger beer.
Price: $ 24.99
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