Get excited: the very first every annual Brandy Week will kick off in New York City from September 24th to 30th, 2018. Bringing together some of the finest brandy producers from around the world, this event aims to celebrate, showcase and honor one of the most treasured spirits.
An initiative spearheaded by Torres, producers of premium brandies from the Penedès region of Spain, Brandy Week seeks to raise awareness and appreciation in the category through events, seminars and promotions at participating bars and restaurants throughout the city.
“We wanted to create a moment for brandy to be in the spotlight and for people to appreciate everything that goes into producing this spirit,” says Adriana Soley, USA Spirits Manager for Torres. “Producing quality brandy is an involved artisanal process and we’re excited for the public to begin to understand how this spirit is unique.”
The week-long festivities will kick off on Monday, September 24 with the Grand Tasting at VNYL from 5-8pm, organized by Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru. Participating bars and restaurants in New York will feature brandy cocktails throughout the week, donating a portion of the proceeds to the non-profit organization of their choice.
Participating brandy partners include Torres, Argonaut, Cardenal Mendoza, El Gobernador, Caravedo, Laird and Company, Maison Gautier, Monnet, Monteru, Pierre Ferrand, Castarede and Sacred Bond.
“[We are] super excited about Brandy Week, a well deserved and long overdue spotlight on a truly wonderful category,” says Brittany Littrell, On-Premise Manager-NY- Maison Ferrand. “I look forward to people understanding that Brandy is not a seasonal spirit and to everyone Tasting the spirit in many different ways. I’m hosting an event at Nitecap with Natasha David and Ezra Star to really dive in on the diversity of Brandy in cocktails, followed by a disco night obviously cause: duh!”
Adds Florence Castarède, 6th generation owner of Castarède Armagnac: “We are delighted to be part of the first Brandy Week NYC. Brandy is an incredibly rich and diverse category that can be confusing for consumers,” says Florence Castarède. “Seeing so many different producers, coming from all around the world, spreading the love for Brandy is heartwarming. We are looking forward to a wonderful, fun and educating week.”
In addition, to drink specials at bars and restaurants, the brandy partners themselves will host events such as educational talks, staff training and guest bartending nights. The Bartender Art Showcase curated by Torres on September 25, for example, will be a unique art show where bartender artists are invited to exhibit their ‘beyond-the-bar’ artistic creations. The week will conclude with a trade only Brandy category seminar at The Brandy Library on Sunday, September 30. All members of the hospitality industry are welcome to attend and can RSVP to info@brandylibrary.com.
“We are really excited to be a part of Brandy Week 2018 to showcase one of the oldest distilled spirit categories in the world,” says Jared Sasso, Director of Education and Sales for Caravedo Pisco (formerly Pisco Porton). “Brandy is an intimidating category for many people and gets a bad rap, unfortunately. Pisco is no stranger to being an intimidating spirit and, like many other brandies, is one of the most complex spirits in the world following very strict regulations that derive from specific grapes on specific land. Brandy Week is an opportunity to tear the veal of intimidation down and show trade and consumers that this is more than your grandfather’s spirit. Let the revival begin!”
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit brandyweek.com.
About Brandy Week
Brandy Week is a week-long celebration of one of the original great spirits. Participating bars and restaurants and brandy partners from all over the world come together for one week in September to host educational seminars and special events with brandy at the center. A portion of the proceeds from brandy cocktails sold throughout the week is donated to non-profit organizations benefiting a number of causes.
Our Best Stories Delivered Daily
