Just Not That

After a visit to Montagu about 3 years ago, I became aware of a few brandy distilleries along the R62. As a beer / wine / whisky drinker, tasting brandy has never been a high priority, I however decided that visiting these distilleries may be a worthwhile experience.

Driving the R62 to Oudtshoorn recently, it was time to see what the Klein Karoo has to offer and do the inevitable tasting.

What a pleasant surprise to taste the pot still brandy at Barrydale Cellar! This is definitely on par with a decent single malt whisky.

I must admit to be just a little bit fascinated by pot still brandy and the fact that I never really knew that it was such a big thing.

So after a bit of research I was surprised at how many distilleries we have in the Western Cape.

I will attempt to list the distilleries roughly according to region.

Stellenbosch / Paarl / Franschoek

Oude Molen Brandy Museum in Stellenbosch (not a distillery)
Van Ryn with its working cooperage
Avontuur
Louiesenhof
Backsberg
Cabriere
Laborie (KWV Wine Emorium or KWV Brandy)
Nederburg
Uitkyk
Tokara

Overberg

Oude Molen (Grabouw)
Napier winery (Napier)

Worcester / Wellington / Robertson

KWV house of brandy in Worcester – the biggest brandy cellar of its kind in the world with 120 pot stills in use
Olof Bergh Solera Brandy Cellar can be found near Rawsonville
Oude Wellington
Upland
Nabygelegen private cellar
Savingnac de Versailles
Klipdrift brandy distillery (Robertson)

R62 / Klein Karoo

Barrydale wine and brandy cellar
Boplaas Family Vineyards
De Compagnie
Grundheim
Kango Wijnhuis
Mons Ruber
Rietrivier

Have a look at these links for more information about brandy routes:
Western Cape and R62 brandy routes
Wellington brandy route
R62 brandy route

If you are in Gauteng, the second GoodLife Fine Brandy Festival is on at the Sandton Sun hotel from 20 – 22 May 2009.

Another way to get to taste different brandies is to receive premium and estate brandies as a member of The Wine-of-the-month club’s Brandy Club.