What Types of Brandy Liquor Do Wisconsin Distilleries Make?

Great question, and I guess it depends on what you mean by “type” of brandy liquor. Let’s start in the broad sense of the word. You can look online to find answers ranging from seven to 12 types. Many define the type of brandy liquor according to the part of the world where it is made. For the sake of argument, we will focus on eight main brandies, based on geography, and one outlier related to the main ingredient used.

French Brandy

Armagnac: This brandy is made in (where else) the Armagnac region of France. Making this brandy involves column distillation, meaning the distillation occurs in a vertical column still instead of the more traditional pot shape. Armagnac is distilled once and is considered more aromatic and fruitier with a greater intensity. However, it tastes thicker and richer than other brandies.

Calvados: You will find this brandy in the Normandy region of France. Calvados uses apples as its primary ingredient. Some people call Calvados a type of applejack brandy. (Wisconsin distilleries and others make apple brandy, too.)

Cognac: Cognac, to be called Cognac, is only produced in the Cognac region of France. This delicious brandy must follow strict production guidelines, such as double distillation and using only a specific type of copper pot stills.

Italian Brandy

Grappa: Many consider this an efficient brandy, as it uses all its ingredients. Grappa takes the grape skin, pulp, seeds, and even the stems left when making wine. Some distilleries in the United States make a similar brandy. But with most of these brandies, it can only be Grappa if made in Italy.

Spanish Brandy

Brandy de Jerez: This is another regionally produced brandy. Brandy de Jerez comes from the Sherry region of Spain. What separates it from other brandies is its specialized aging process and the use of oak barrels that held sherry wine previously.

South American Brandy

Pisco: Pisco is unique aside from geography. The brandy uses fermented grape juice from grapes grown only in Peru and Chile, creating a different flavor from brandy made on other continents.

American Brandy

Just as the United States is considered a diverse melting pot, American brandy takes and borrows from brandy makers worldwide to make its own brandy. The distillation process is predominantly fractional distillation in column stills but also uses traditional pot stills and combinations of the two. The aging process is equally diverse. You will find a range of flavor profiles. Some remind you of brandy from other parts of the world, with the rest uniquely the result of good old Yankee ingenuity. God bless America!

Fruit Brandy

Fruit brandy knows no geographical boundaries. As a result, you will find many fruit-based brandies made worldwide, including in Wisconsin. Most fruit brandy does tend to have some geographic limitations because of the kinds of fruit available. However, rapid transport of such fruits makes it possible to see more exotic fruit brandies produced even in Wisconsin.

The Brandy Liquor of Wisconsin

Brandy liquor produced in Wisconsin combines our heritage, climate, and creativity. You will find a variety of brandy ranging from those using traditional grapes to fruit like apples and blackberries, and even some unique flavors/combinations. Many are best consumed neat, and still, other brandies are delicious in cocktails, such as the Wisconsin Old Fashioned.

Some could argue for other types of brandy, but those above are the most common. You will find many different types of fruit, American, and brandies that closely imitate foreign varieties at distilleries across Wisconsin. Why not investigate to find the one that screams, “I’m the best” for you!