A Double Victory for Van Ryn’s
In a realm filled with outstanding liquors, the heated battle for acknowledgment and awards is nothing to scoff at. Despite this, Van Ryn’s, a distillery from South Africa, has attained an incredible achievement – claiming the World’s Best Brandy Trophy twice in a mere four months. This esteemed honor is presented by the prestigious International Spirits Challenge, a yearly event taking place in London that gathers the finest brandies across the world.
This triumph honors Van Ryn’s 12-year-old potstill brandy, showcasing the distillery’s dedication to excellence and quality. The International Spirits Challenge is notorious for its stringent blind tastings, employing a team of industry professionals who meticulously assess the contending spirits. In this highly-regarded setting, Van Ryn’s has risen above competitors from France, the United States, Australia, and South Africa’s most esteemed brandy manufacturers.
This remarkable feat follows a similar victory in May, when Van Ryn’s 15-year-old potstill brandy seized the title of World’s Best Wine Brandy at the 2023 World Brandy Awards, also located in London. It is clear that the Stellenbosch distillery has discovered a successful recipe – one based on traditional French Cognac-making techniques, adapted to encompass the unique features of South African terroir.
Crafting the Perfect Brandy
Van Ryn’s brandies are built upon a commitment to top-quality ingredients, starting with the wine grapes. These grapes are subject to double distillation in copper potstills, echoing the methods utilized in Cognac production. The brandy then ages in oak barrels, without any additives or preservatives. Despite the parallels with Cognac, Van Ryn’s master blender, Marlene Bester, emphasizes that their brandies possess a distinct South African signature taste.
This one-of-a-kind flavor profile is a result of South Africa’s warm climate, which fosters the growth of fruity, intricate, and well-rounded brandies. As Bester explains, Van Ryn’s brandies resemble “sunshine in a bottle.” Their smooth and sophisticated nature has established the distillery as one of the foremost fine brandy producers globally.
Securing two World’s Best titles within one year is no minor accomplishment, and Bester credits this achievement to the time and patience invested in crafting their extraordinary brandies. This acknowledgement serves as evidence of the distillery’s steadfast dedication to producing world-class, truly South African spirits.
Savoring Van Ryn’s Exceptional Creations
The award-winning Van Ryn’s 12-Year-Old Potstill Brandy offers a sensory indulgence, featuring a medley of dried fruit, red berries, vanilla, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco scents. The palate is treated to coffee spice and subtle oak flavors, culminating in a persistent, graceful finale.
For those wishing to indulge in Van Ryn’s skillful creations, the distillery presents a variety of enticing opportunities. Situated in Stellenbosch, the Provencal-style buildings serve as an idyllic backdrop for brandy tastings, cocktail sessions, special events, and sunset drinks accompanied by live music. To dive into the world of Van Ryn’s and reserve a tasting, visit their website.
In addition to their on-site experiences, Van Ryn’s exceptional product lineup can be obtained through their online store or at select premium liquor retailers across the country. As the distillery maintains its stronghold in the fine brandy sphere, it is evident that Van Ryn’s is a genuine tribute to South African resourcefulness and the ageless art of exceptional craftsmanship.
