Korbel 25 Year Old California Fine Aged Brandy

Korbel 25 Year Old California Fine Aged Brandy is an ultra-premium American brandy that epitomizes long maturation and artisanal craft. With its deep amber hue and rich, layered flavor profile, it delivers a refined sipping experience that rewards patience and attention — ideal as a contemplative finish after a meal or alongside sophisticated dessert pairings.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced by F. Korbel & Bros., a historic Sonoma County spirits and wine house founded in 1882 and crafted today under longstanding tradition, this 25-year expression is the oldest brandy in Korbel’s portfolio. It is distilled primarily from premium California grapes, including Pinot Noir sourced from the Russian River Valley and French Colombard, using a combination of traditional copper Alambic pot stills and a copper-lined “triple effect” column still that enhances aromatic concentration and purity.

After distillation, the spirit undergoes extended aging in handcrafted American oak barrels, accumulating decades of oak influence, oxidative complexity, and natural concentration as the “angel’s share” gently reduces volume over time. Korbel’s careful blending and barrel selection preserve balance and finesse even after quarter-century maturation, capturing both the inherent fruit character of the base wine and the depth afforded by prolonged wood interaction. This extended age position places it at the pinnacle of Korbel’s fine aged brandy expressions.

Critics Reviews

There are no formal professional critic scores available from major spirits publications specifically for this 25 Year Old California brandy. In spirits and brandy enthusiast circles, however, Korbel’s long-aged expressions are recognized for depth, smoothness, and complexity, representing some of the finest and most aged American brandy available from a single producer.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Deep, burnished amber aromatics with dried fig, raisin, and toasted oak, complemented by layers of vanilla, caramel, and subtle spice — hints of cocoa and gentle leather add intrigue as the bouquet unfolds.

Palate:
Silky and richly concentrated, unveiling dark caramel, honeyed oak, and vanilla bean with nuanced dried fruit elements and warm baking spices. The extended aging yields a layered profile that balances richness with refined maturation.

Finish:
Exceptionally long and warming, with lingering notes of mellow oak, soft spice, and gentle sweetness that taper gracefully, leaving a lingering impression of elegance.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

25-Year Brandy Old-Fashioned

• 2 oz Korbel 25 Year Old California Fine Aged Brandy

• 0.25 oz demerara syrup

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
  Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube; garnish with an orange twist to accentuate citrus oils and oak nuance.

Fine Aged Brandy Sidecar

• 1.5 oz Korbel 25 Year Old California Fine Aged Brandy

• 0.75 oz orange liqueur

• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
  Shake with ice and fine strain into a chilled coupe; garnish with a lemon twist to underline bright citrus and mature fruit notes.