Dead Bird Brandy - 12 Year, Single Barrel
750ml Bottle | 40% ABV
This is a single barrel 12 year apple brandy that was distilled in 2011, from over 30 varieties of apples grown here at Shelburne Orchards. This brandy was aged first in an American oak barrel, then transferred to a neutral Hungarian oak barrel, for a total of 12 years in our subterranean brandy cellar.
Serve: Our favorite way to drink Dead Bird Brandy is neat (no ice or water) at room temperature.
Tasting notes and story from sommelier Don Holly:
The first time I was able to taste the 12 year old Dead Bird in the Shelburne Orchards brandy room, the layers of flavor and complex melody or aromas entranced me. I have always appreciated the standard age vintages of Dead Bird brandies as delightful in their expression of fruit and balance of oak and clean heart cuts. But the 12 year old was in another class of depth and breadth and ethereal character.
The second time I tasted it, I was with a team of food professionals and trained sensory assessors, and it was fun to see their reaction to the 12 year old. When asked to describe the spirit, the best answer I could offer was that this was the ultimate expression of terroir, with all of the beauty of Shelburne Orchards, its people and place, and of course made from its delicious apples. I am fortunate to know Nick and the spirit that he expresses in his life, and have seen the joy that he brings to his brandy making, and you can taste it.
Most recently, my wife and I did a blind brandy tasting, featuring 2 pear brandies, 2 Calvados, 3 Cognacs, and the Dead Bird 12 year old (I wish we had some 9 year old, too, but we had already consumed our supply). We started neat, then 4 drops of water, than one small ice cube.
We shared our notes and choices of preference in order. There was consensus between us that the Dead Bird 12 year old was the best, the most enjoyable brandy on the table by far.
Don Holly Tasting Notes for the 12 year Dead Bird Brandy:
Nose - Aromatic profile of medium intensity - lovely ripe apple with butterscotch overtones and cinnamon accent with subdued alcohol.
Flavor/Palate - Layers of lovely fruit and earthiness, apple note prevailing, with dimensions of sweetness, tartness, brightness, and as it warms in the mouth more aromatic range including mint and fennel. The oak is subtle and functional like a stand-up bass in a quintet.
Finish - Clean and sweet, round and lingering, zero heat, pleasant aftertaste.
You are purchasing this item for pickup at our tasting room in Shelburne, Vermont. Valid 21+ ID must be presented at pickup.
Pickup Options: Our spirits are available for pickup at Shelburne Orchards only (no shipping). Please contact us to arrange pickup that works for us and for you! Our contact number will be given after purchase.
750ml Bottle | 40% ABV
This is a single barrel 12 year apple brandy that was distilled in 2011, from over 30 varieties of apples grown here at Shelburne Orchards. This brandy was aged first in an American oak barrel, then transferred to a neutral Hungarian oak barrel, for a total of 12 years in our subterranean brandy cellar.
Serve: Our favorite way to drink Dead Bird Brandy is neat (no ice or water) at room temperature.
Tasting notes and story from sommelier Don Holly:
The first time I was able to taste the 12 year old Dead Bird in the Shelburne Orchards brandy room, the layers of flavor and complex melody or aromas entranced me. I have always appreciated the standard age vintages of Dead Bird brandies as delightful in their expression of fruit and balance of oak and clean heart cuts. But the 12 year old was in another class of depth and breadth and ethereal character.
The second time I tasted it, I was with a team of food professionals and trained sensory assessors, and it was fun to see their reaction to the 12 year old. When asked to describe the spirit, the best answer I could offer was that this was the ultimate expression of terroir, with all of the beauty of Shelburne Orchards, its people and place, and of course made from its delicious apples. I am fortunate to know Nick and the spirit that he expresses in his life, and have seen the joy that he brings to his brandy making, and you can taste it.
Most recently, my wife and I did a blind brandy tasting, featuring 2 pear brandies, 2 Calvados, 3 Cognacs, and the Dead Bird 12 year old (I wish we had some 9 year old, too, but we had already consumed our supply). We started neat, then 4 drops of water, than one small ice cube.
We shared our notes and choices of preference in order. There was consensus between us that the Dead Bird 12 year old was the best, the most enjoyable brandy on the table by far.
Don Holly Tasting Notes for the 12 year Dead Bird Brandy:
Nose - Aromatic profile of medium intensity - lovely ripe apple with butterscotch overtones and cinnamon accent with subdued alcohol.
Flavor/Palate - Layers of lovely fruit and earthiness, apple note prevailing, with dimensions of sweetness, tartness, brightness, and as it warms in the mouth more aromatic range including mint and fennel. The oak is subtle and functional like a stand-up bass in a quintet.
Finish - Clean and sweet, round and lingering, zero heat, pleasant aftertaste.
You are purchasing this item for pickup at our tasting room in Shelburne, Vermont. Valid 21+ ID must be presented at pickup.
Pickup Options: Our spirits are available for pickup at Shelburne Orchards only (no shipping). Please contact us to arrange pickup that works for us and for you! Our contact number will be given after purchase.
750ml Bottle | 40% ABV
This is a single barrel 12 year apple brandy that was distilled in 2011, from over 30 varieties of apples grown here at Shelburne Orchards. This brandy was aged first in an American oak barrel, then transferred to a neutral Hungarian oak barrel, for a total of 12 years in our subterranean brandy cellar.
Serve: Our favorite way to drink Dead Bird Brandy is neat (no ice or water) at room temperature.
Tasting notes and story from sommelier Don Holly:
The first time I was able to taste the 12 year old Dead Bird in the Shelburne Orchards brandy room, the layers of flavor and complex melody or aromas entranced me. I have always appreciated the standard age vintages of Dead Bird brandies as delightful in their expression of fruit and balance of oak and clean heart cuts. But the 12 year old was in another class of depth and breadth and ethereal character.
The second time I tasted it, I was with a team of food professionals and trained sensory assessors, and it was fun to see their reaction to the 12 year old. When asked to describe the spirit, the best answer I could offer was that this was the ultimate expression of terroir, with all of the beauty of Shelburne Orchards, its people and place, and of course made from its delicious apples. I am fortunate to know Nick and the spirit that he expresses in his life, and have seen the joy that he brings to his brandy making, and you can taste it.
Most recently, my wife and I did a blind brandy tasting, featuring 2 pear brandies, 2 Calvados, 3 Cognacs, and the Dead Bird 12 year old (I wish we had some 9 year old, too, but we had already consumed our supply). We started neat, then 4 drops of water, than one small ice cube.
We shared our notes and choices of preference in order. There was consensus between us that the Dead Bird 12 year old was the best, the most enjoyable brandy on the table by far.
Don Holly Tasting Notes for the 12 year Dead Bird Brandy:
Nose - Aromatic profile of medium intensity - lovely ripe apple with butterscotch overtones and cinnamon accent with subdued alcohol.
Flavor/Palate - Layers of lovely fruit and earthiness, apple note prevailing, with dimensions of sweetness, tartness, brightness, and as it warms in the mouth more aromatic range including mint and fennel. The oak is subtle and functional like a stand-up bass in a quintet.
Finish - Clean and sweet, round and lingering, zero heat, pleasant aftertaste.
You are purchasing this item for pickup at our tasting room in Shelburne, Vermont. Valid 21+ ID must be presented at pickup.
Pickup Options: Our spirits are available for pickup at Shelburne Orchards only (no shipping). Please contact us to arrange pickup that works for us and for you! Our contact number will be given after purchase.