UP XO Brandy Essence 20 ml

UP XO Brandy Essence 20 ml

There is brandy you mix with, and then there is brandy you sit down with. XO belongs firmly to the second kind – the glass that appears once the dishes are cleared, the candles have burned down a little and nobody is in a hurry to be anywhere. It is the darkest, densest and most generous style in the brandy world, where the fruit has gone from fresh to dried and every sip takes its time.

UP XO Brandy Essence brings that experience home. Dried figs and dates, dark chocolate, candied orange peel and a whiff of cigar box are woven together into a brandy that feels like velvet in the mouth and lingers long after the glass is empty.

Colour & Appearance

Once mixed, the brandy takes on a deep mahogany colour with copper-red glints when the light falls through the glass. It moves slowly in the glass and looks as rich as it tastes.

Nose

The nose is dark and inviting. Dried fruit comes first – figs, dates and prunes – closely followed by candied orange and dark chocolate. Given a moment, walnut and roasted hazelnut emerge, alongside cinnamon, vanilla and the dry, spicy scent of cedarwood and cigar box.

Palate

The palate is full, round and built layer upon layer. It opens softly, almost sweetly, on dates and figs, before dark chocolate and bitter-orange peel add both depth and a lovely little edge of bitterness. Walnut spreads out through the middle, slightly austere and very elegant, with cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of coffee in the background. Toasted oak and vanilla frame the whole without ever taking over. The mouthfeel is what really sets XO apart from simpler brandy: dense, silky and entirely free of sharp corners.

Finish

The finish is very long. Chocolate, dried fruit and walnut fade slowly, and right at the end a dry note of cedarwood and cinnamon hangs on – the kind that makes you sit quietly before the next sip.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit, and the brandy is ready to drink straight away. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished brandy. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• Neat in a balloon glass, at room temperature, with coffee after dinner.
• With a square of dark chocolate, a handful of walnuts or a slice of fig cake.
• Over a single large ice cube that slowly opens up the aromas.
• In a Sidecar with orange liqueur and lemon – the luxury version.
• A splash in chocolate truffles, peppercorn sauce or over vanilla ice cream.

About the Essence

XO Brandy belongs to the UP series, Ultra Premium, which is our highest quality tier. It shows in the depth: more layers of flavour and a longer finish than any other brandy in the range, and it is made to stand entirely on its own in the glass.

Choose it when you want an after-dinner drink that impresses, or as a gift for someone who appreciates dark, full-bodied brandy. The essence is also available in 32 ml, 50 ml, 280 ml, 1000 ml and 25 litres if you need more.