The Book of Brandies

Bob Emmons

Can you tell a Grappa from a Slivovits? Is a Cognac always better than an Armagnac? What shape of glass gives the best experience of brandy? What distinguishes brandy from whiskey or rum?

Brandy - the name comes from the Dutch word meaning "burnt wine" - is the oldest type of distilled spirit and the richest in history. Most people are aware of the Cognac style of French brandy but this is only one of eight main varieties, all lovingly described in elaborate detail by Bob Emmons in The Book of Brandies. Like his earlier works, The Book of Tequila and The Book of Gins and Vodkas, it aims for comprehensiveness and accuracy. It is a mine of information on every sort of brandy: distinctive features, manufacturing process, factors that can affect quality, the best way to savor and judge brandy, its history, folklore, and contemporary significance. The book includes tasting notes for over 200 labels, instructions on how to organize a brandy tasting, and more than 20 recipes for both cocktails and food dishes using brandy.