Brandy from Carlos
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Carlos I Incl. Box
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Carlos I Incl. Box
In stock
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Carlos I is introduced first and foremost as a Spanish brandy with a clear, unfussy identity. The name carries the bottle confidently, while its Spanish origin gives the product its main point of reference.
Bottled at 40% alcohol, Carlos I sits within the familiar world of brandy without needing an elaborate technical story. It is a straightforward choice for customers specifically looking for a Spanish brandy under a recognisable name.
No specific tasting notes are provided for Carlos I in the supplied product information. For that reason, the tasting description remains limited to the confirmed details: a Spanish brandy bottled at 40% alcohol.Carlos I Imperial XO 15y Incl. Box
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Carlos I Imperial XO 15y Incl. Box
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In stockCarlos I Imperial XO 15y is a Spanish brandy with a clear sense of positioning: an XO release carrying a 15-year age statement. That immediately gives the bottle a more mature identity within the brandy category, without needing to rely on unnecessary embellishment.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of brandy that suits customers looking for a Spanish expression with a little more depth and age behind it. The Imperial XO 15y name already sets the tone: this is a bottle to pour with attention, rather than something chosen casually.
Bottled at 40% alcohol, it keeps a classic presentation. Its interest lies in the combination of Spanish origin, XO designation and the 15 years stated on the label.
No specific tasting notes were (…)Carlos I 130 Anniversary Solera Gran Reserva
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Carlos I 130 Anniversary Solera Gran Reserva
On request only
Carlos I 130 Anniversary Solera Gran Reserva is a Spanish brandy with a clear commemorative angle. The name points to a 130th Anniversary release within the Carlos I range, with Solera Gran Reserva forming an important part of its identity.
Its limited nature is one of the main reasons this bottle stands out. A total of 2000 bottles were produced, and the remaining availability is now down to the last bottles. At Drankenshop Broekmans, it sits well among the more distinctive Spanish brandies for customers who enjoy discovering a specific limited release rather than a standard bottling.
Bottled at 45%, this Carlos I carries a firm presence, although no detailed tasting notes are provided in the available product information. The appeal here lies in the Spanish (…)Carlos I 1520 Incl. Box
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Carlos I 1520 Incl. Box
In stock
Carlos I 1520 is a Spanish brandy from the Carlos brand, bottled at 41.1% ABV. The available product details are deliberately limited, so the focus naturally falls on the name itself: Carlos I 1520 has a classic, composed and understated feel.
Within the brandy range at Drankenshop Broekmans, this is a bottle for customers looking specifically for Spanish brandy with a clear brand identity. The 41.1% strength gives it a little more presence than the common 40% level, without adding flavour claims that are not supported by the supplied information.
No specific tasting notes have been provided for Carlos I 1520. For that reason, we do not describe aromas, flavours, mouthfeel or finish that are not explicitly present in the supplied data. The confirmed (…)Carlos I Amontillado Incl. Box
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Carlos I Amontillado Incl. Box
In stock
Carlos I Amontillado is a Spanish brandy from Carlos, with the Amontillado reference taking a clear place in its name. Bottled at 40.3% alcohol, it stays close to the familiar strength of classic brandy while carrying a slightly more individual identity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we would present this bottle with a bit of care: the supplied details are limited, but the Spanish origin, the Carlos I name and the Amontillado indication give it a clear point of interest for customers looking specifically in that direction.
No specific tasting notes have been supplied for Carlos I Amontillado, so we will not add invented aromas, flavours or finish descriptions. The confirmed details are that this is a Spanish brandy from Carlos, bottled at 40.3% alcohol, with (…)Carlos I Pedro Ximenez Incl. Box
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Carlos I Pedro Ximenez Incl. Box
In stock
Carlos I Pedro Ximenez is a Spanish brandy from Carlos, carrying a name that immediately gives it a clear identity. The Pedro Ximenez mention makes this bottling stand out for customers looking specifically within the Spanish brandy category.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we would place it among those brandies that are chosen for their origin, name and style indication rather than for a long list of technical details. With an alcoholic strength of 40.3%, it presents itself as a serious Spanish brandy, while the available product data keeps the focus on the essentials: Carlos I Pedro Ximenez, from Spain, in the brandy category.
No specific tasting notes have been supplied for Carlos I Pedro Ximenez. For that reason, no aromas, flavours or finish are described (…)
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about cognac
What is cognac?
Cognac is a French brandy made from white grapes and may only come from the Cognac region in France. It is double-distilled and then aged in oak barrels.
What is armagnac?
Armagnac comes from the Armagnac region, also in south-western France. Armagnac production began in the 14th century, making it the oldest brandy in France.
Like Cognac, Armagnac is made from white grapes, but here different grape varieties are often used, such as Folle Blanche, Colombard and Baco Blanc. The main difference is in the distillation process: Armagnac is distilled in a continuous distillation column, resulting in a richer and more complex eau-de-vie with a higher alcohol content. After distillation, Armagnac matures in oak barrels. Armagnac is thus distilled once unlike cognac which is distilled twice at a lower temperature and has a higher alcohol content.
Armagnac has a more robust and powerful flavour profile than Cognac, with pronounced notes of dried fruits, plums, vanilla, and leather. Due to the single distillation, it retains more of the original grape flavours.
What is calvados?
Calvados originates from the region of Normandy in northern France. It has a long history dating back to the 16th century, and it is often considered a symbol of Norman culture.
Calvados is made from apples (and sometimes pears), unlike grapes for Cognac and Armagnac. The apples are pressed to make cider, which is then distilled. Distillation can take place once or twice, depending on the appellation. As with the other two drinks, the eau-de-vie then matures in oak barrels.
Calvados has a fresh and fruity character, with distinct apple and sometimes pear-like notes. After ageing, more complex flavours can develop, such as butterscotch, spices and nuts.
What is brandy?
Brandy is the general collective name for cognac, armagnac and calvados, among others. All three are French spirits, but the main differences are seen geographically and in the use of raw materials.
What is sherry?
Sherry is a fortified wine from southern Spain, more specifically around the city of Jerez de la Frontera in the region of Andalusia. The special feature of sherry is that wine alcohol is added during or after fermentation, increasing the alcohol content (usually around 15-20%) and also making the wine last longer.
There are different styles of sherry, each with its own character. Fino, for example, is light, dry and fresh (often with hints of almond and bread dough), while Oloroso is just richer, darker and nutty due to oxidative ageing. Amontillado is a bit in between: fresh under flor at first, then more complex through oxidation. On the sweet side, you have, for example, Pedro Ximénez (PX), an intensely sweet, syrupy sherry with flavours of sultanas and caramel.
Sherry is often underrated, but it is enormously versatile: from a fresh aperitif to a perfect companion with tapas, cheeses or even desserts. So it is not an "old people's drink", but just one of the most diverse and gourmet wine styles around.
What is Pineau Des Charentes?
Pineau des Charentes is a fortified wine from the Charente region in southwestern France, the same area known for its cognac production. It is not a wine in the traditional sense, but a mistelle-adrink made by mixing fresh grape juice with cognac. This combination stops fermentation, preserving the natural sweetness of the grape juice and giving the drink its distinctive sweet, rich and aromatic profile.
Pineau des Charentes is available in both white and red varieties. White Pineau is made from white grape varieties such as Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Folle Blanche, while the red variant derives its deep colour and fruity aromas from grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It has a unique flavour that is not directly comparable to other drinks, but it does share characteristics with some well-known fortified wines:
- Port: Like port, Pineau is sweet and fortified, but Pineau tends to be lighter and fruitier.
- Sherry (Pedro Ximénez or Amontillado): White Pineau sometimes has the honeyed sweetness of PX sherry, but with a fresher touch.
- Madeira: Due to aging in oak, Pineau shares certain nutty and caramel-like notes with madeira.
- Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise: For those who like sweet dessert wines with floral and fruity aromas, Pineau is an excellent alternative.
What do VS, VSOP and XO mean?
These are age indications for the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend. The older, the more complex and softer the flavour usually becomes.
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VS (Very Special): aged for a minimum of 2 years
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VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): aged for a minimum of 4 years
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XO (Extra Old): aged for a minimum of 10 years (used to be 6 years)
These age designations are officially regulated by the appellation. This is not the case with rum, for example, in most cases.
What is the difference between cognac, brandy, armagnac and calvados?
Brandy is the general collective name for cognac, armagnac and calvados, among others. All three are French spirits, but the main differences are seen geographically and in the use of raw materials.
Cognac must come from the Cognac region and be made from specific grapes. Armagnac, in turn, comes from the Armagnac region in south-western France and is also made from grapes. Finally, Calvados comes from the Calvados region in Normandy and, unlike the other two, is made from apples and pears.
There are also differences in terms of distillation and maturation: Cognac uses double distillation in alambics, Armagnac a single continuous distillation, and Calvados can undergo both single and double distillation. Cognac and Calvados must be aged for a minimum of two years, while for Armagnac it is at least one year.
How do you drink cognac?
There are several ways to enjoy cognac. Traditionally, it is drunk at room temperature from a tulip-shaped glass such as a snifter. With an ice cube, the aromas become less heavy and even in cocktails, cognac is on the rise.
Does cognac get even better in the bottle?
No, like most spirits, cognac also matures solely in the barrel. Once the cognac is bottled, the ageing also stops. So an old bottle of cognac does not automatically improve with age.
How long can an opened bottle of cognac keep?
An opened bottle of cognac undergoes the same process as other spirits. Usually, you can keep an opened bottle for a very long time, up to several years. But cognac can also be subject to oxidation, a natural process that is started and intensified as soon as there is too much air/oxygen in the bottle in relation to the spirit. To avoid this, it is best to transfer the cognac into a smaller, airtight bottle or fill the bottle with marbles to reduce the proportion of air in the bottle. Never use glass decanters with glass stoppers, as these do not seal airtight and therefore do not prevent the oxidation process.
Which grapes are used for cognac?
The main grape variety is Ugni Blanc. This is by far the most commonly used grape variety for cognac, and produces a fresh, acidic wine that is ideal for distilling. In addition, cognac can also be made from the Folle Blanche and Colombard grape varieties.
Where can I buy cognac?
You can even buy cognac in supermarkets these days. But if you are looking for a good cognac, one that is tasty, qualitative and layered, then Drankenshop Broekmans is the place to be. In our range, you will find more than 200 different cognacs in all possible price categories, from a basic "everyday cognac" to the most exclusive eau-de-vie.
