Brandy in South Africa is produced in 2 ways. It is either a potstill or a blended brandy.
A potstill brandy is produced exactly like a cognac and is also double distilled in a potstill. However, it cannot be referred to as a Cognac because it was not produced from Cognac grapes. According to SA brandy legislation, a potstill brandy must mature for at least 3 years in oak barrels. Potstill brandies usually have an alcohol content of 38%. Our exquisite KWV 10 year, 12 year, 15 year, 20 year, Nexus and Centenary brandies are potstill brandies.
A blended brandy is a brandy which must contain at least 30% potstill brandy. According to SA legislation this 30% potstill brandy must mature for at least 3 years in oak. The rest of the blend consists of column distilled wine spirit which does not have to mature in oak barrels. Blended brandies usually have an alcohol content of 43%. Our customer favourite KWV 3 year and 5 year brandies are blended brandies.