Strauss & Co unearths rare Single Cask Brandies in a new and exclusive Cape Fine Brandy Auction

2 Oct 2024

‘Bespoke casks of Cape Fine Brandy, some 2 decades and older, have been bottled specifically for Strauss & Co with each cask containing as little as 150-300 bottles.’ says specialist Roland Peens.‘ Fine spirits have shown huge growth in the global environment, led by single cask Whisky, and we see the same opportunity for Cape Fine Brandy. ‘Bespoke casks from Boplaas, Kaapzicht, KWV, Joseph Barry, Syndey Back and Van Ryn’s will be auctioned in varying lot sizes to appeal to both trade and private bidders.

Wine and Brandy have a rich history in South Africa, since Brandy is distilled from wine grapes. The golden spirit is often made from Chenin Blanc, in fact, and has been a staple Cape commodity for more than two centuries, having been first made around 1672. South African brandies are, by law, made almost exactly as Cognac, using a double distillation process in copper pot stills followed by ageing in oak casks for a minimum of three years.

‘Much like the secondary wine market has developed over 5 years, Cape Fine Brandy is globally undervalued and offers exceptional value and investment potential’ comments specialist Higgo Jacobs. ‘This sale is a first of its kind in South Africa. A commercial collective at the top end of our brandies have never been offered in this way. South African Brandy is world-class and deserves to be in the spotlight.’

In 2024 Van Ryn’s 15-Year-Old Postil Brandy was awarded ‘World’s Best Wine Brandy’ at the World Drinks Awards, while KWV was once again highlighted as ‘Best in the world’ at International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

Strauss & Co has partnered with Brandy expert, Shane Mumba, ambassador of the South African Brandy Association. ‘The collaboration is an excellent opportunity for collectors to get their hands on rare, unique and extremely limited single cask Potstill Brandies. They are also very delicious and may have been blended into bigger batches, but now they are locked in bottle for generations to come.’ comments enthusiastic Shane.

Boplaas offers a Single Harvest Potstill Reserve 2005, Kaapzicht a 25 Year Old Potstill, KWV offers a Limited Edition Single Varietal Potstill produced from Pinotage, the Joseph Barry lot is a XXO Single Cask, Sydney Back offers a 17 and 22 Old Potstill and finally Van Ryn’s bespoke bottling is a rare 14-Year-Old PX Cask Finish. Rare vintage brandies from Tokara and Groot Constantia and others will also be on auction, including the iconic KWV Centenary Limited Edition and Van Ryn’s Au Ra.

Strauss & Co will host a Cape Fine Brandy Showcase in Johannesburg on 7^th November. This celebration of Cape Fine Brandy begins with a tutored tasting of the seven bespoke cask bottlings conducted by a panel of experts, and ends with music, art and food. Tickets are available on www.winecellar.co.za

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