Sherlock Brandy is something relatively new on LCBO shelves. I’ve not covered brandies in the past so I thought I would start with a Canadian product.
But despite what you read on the label, it’s less of a brandy and more like an eau de vie. Yes, like a brandy, it’s made from grapes (Ontario) but also apples and berries.
It’s a very perfumed affair. When you first nose it there’s an abundance of berry fruit. It made me think of walking into a bathroom where a floral talcum powder had just been used. That effect was only amplified upon tasting.
It’s confusing at first because the effect is so dynamic. The taste suggests a degree of fruit that should have sugar, yet it’s completely dry. There’s a little hit of vanilla buried in there as well as yellow stone fruit and definitely honey.
It’s a very smooth sip on its own but it worked nicely with 1.5 ounces of Sherlock to 3 ounces of sparkling water.
I’ve not experimented with it yet, but I have the feeling that it will stand in nicely for a good rum in some form of summertime tropical drink.
This is a well and cleanly made product that will have a place on a cocktail enthusiast’s home bar.
