Argonaut Saloon Strength Brandy (75cl, 45.5%)

Argonaut Saloon Strength is a California brandy bottled at 45.5% (91 proof), made for cocktails. Argonaut Distilling Company grows the grapes, makes the wine, distils and blends, and master distiller Rita Hansen selects the blend. It combines distillates aged from 2 to 21 years in oak. The higher strength lets it hold its own against vermouth, citrus and bitters, so it suits sidecars, crustas, old fashioneds and manhattans, and it can also be sipped over ice. The nose opens with fresh apple and pear, then florals, vanilla cream, butterscotch, oak spice, allspice and cinnamon. The palate is mild with slight warmth at the end. The finish is lingering, with ripe fruit, warming oak spice, anise and butterscotch.