Gross. Okay well I’m done…okay so not really.
Hello and welcome to another week of Booze reviews! I am the man called Justice, and I suffer through cheap brandy so you won’t have to. This week we looked at two tiers of brandy from the same maker. I will be walking you through E & J XO Extra Smooth Brandy, while my associate William Henri Neve IV will be taking you through their VSOP brandy, next week. You really better thank us for this…
A quick lesson on Brandies before we begin: brandy is divided into very distinct levels based on how they are aged. In order we have V.S. (Very special) which is typically aged two years, V.S.O.P. (Very Special Old Pale) which is aged four years, and finally X.O. (Extra Old) which is aged between six and twenty years. There are also tiers above these, however those are not standardized and change from distiller to distiller. Brandy is a liquor distilled from wine, and good brandies are often served warm without mixing. As you may already have guessed from my earlier comments, we didn’t want to drink this warm or by itself, but by God we did…and it was all for you.
So this being the first brandy to make its appearance on Booze reviews many of the Buffalo lounge’s regulars hadn’t tried too many brandies before these two. It was most likely because of this we just ended up grabbing two bottles that looked like a good place to start. I won’t infringe on Will’s narrative, but I will say that this second brandy the XO performed better than the first, but then, that wasn’t very hard. By itself this brandy burned the nose with its scent and rode the back of the throat rather unpleasantly. Its redeeming qualities lay in its taste, where it seemed to be very average.
Of course this is my opinion, Brandy, what do you have to say for yourself?
What they say: “Hand-crafted and barrel-aged, E&J XO is the result of over three decades of brandy making experience. Connoisseurs have called it our crowning achievement; a luxurious marriage of flavor and smoothness. Experience it for yourself: notes of brown spice, savory caramel and sweet vanilla complemented by a long velvety finish. E&J XO takes smooth to a new level…it is truly remarkable.”
The most impressive thing about this entire paragraph is that they never actually say that it tastes good or that it’s an amazing brandy, or that it puts others to shame, etc. This is a large part of the reason they avoid losing any points for bottle wank. What they say about the taste is also true, it does taste quite a bit like vanilla and caramel (one of the reasons it didn’t die in the taste section like its brother). Alright, enough talk, time for some numbers, let’s see how this brandy stacked up:
Taste: 5.66 – A nice taste, hints of maple syrup (which may be the brown spice, caramel, and vanilla mixed) are actually in there.
Aftertaste: 6 – More of a pleasant aftertaste, continuing with the hints of caramel
Burn/Smooth: 4 – Burn improves overtime and it gives you a similar heartburn feeling, but it’s not too bad.
Aroma: 1.9 – Really offensive, but if you go back for another smell, you really get a swig of maple syrup.
Honesty: 4.83 – “The color, shape, and cork are all nice. Even the brandy has a nice color.”, “Even the wank on the back if subdued, and none of it lies.”, “It’s an attractive bottle.”, “DJ_Lvl is still racist (hates Barefoot wine, this was made by the same people).”
Mixability: 6
Sidecar: 5.16 – This tastes pretty okay.
Brandy Sour: 6.58 – Tastes better, than the sidecar.
Brantini: 6.25 – This one adds a sweetness to a standard martini which is a nice element.
Value: 5.75 – It’s cheap, but for a reason.
Google Shop Average: $14
Website: http://www.ejbrandy.com/
Reviewer Scores:
William Henri Neve the IV:6
Justice:5.5
BuffaloJern: 5
DJ_Lvl: 5.5
The Bear: 5
Huanlai: 5
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Metric Score: 34.14/70 |+| Metric Average: 4.88 |+| Reviewer Average: 5.33
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Final Thoughts:
For what you pay for it’s pretty good. Slightly above average thing for my palate.
I normally just use this brandy to make a cheaper Steak Au Poivre (the taste difference is negligable). I also use it to make a similar sauce for chicken.
I find it too crude to drink on its own.
I’m not a brandy snob, I’m an Englishman but I’ve consumed a lot of brandy from the wildly cheap to the wildly expensive. And I know what tastes good and what doesn’t. I tried E & J X.O. Extra Smooth and was really amazed. I thought it was going to be OK at best. It was better than the most expensive French Brandy I’ve tried. Absolutely divine, darlings! I generally shy away from American brandies because they give me a headache and don’t taste that great. This stuff was an utter revelation. Nectar of the gods! Velvety smooth, with notes of vanilla, caramel, pear, maple syrup and a soupcon of cinnamon. I read a review that panned this product. Either the bottle was spoiled, or the reviewer’s taste buds were. Do yourself a favour and try a bottle of this wonderful stuff!
Maybe it was spoiled – we even mention that maybe such a thing happened – but tbh we’ve been scared off the stuff.
Ken Fujii , I could not agree more!! I am a brandy snob though and I think E&J XO is absolutely delicious. I don’t understand this review …it’s amazing that you can find a wonderful bottle of wine on a budget and that sentiment is widely accepted and understood so why shouldn’t the same be said for a brandy? Now excuse me while I have my pre-bedtime glad of E&J XO 😘
@ Justice. I say old chap, your review, such as it is, does an INJUSTICE to this remarkably smooth brandy. I find the E&J XO to be eminently drinkable. I’ve suffered the snobbery of social settings where I’ve felt compelled to snorkel the finest aged Courvoisiers and Martels, whilst screwing up my face and rasping out in a hoarse voice “Oh well played, sir! Well played! Harrumph!”
Methinks that “Justice” is aware of Ernest y Julio’s history of giving generously to Conservative causes and has arrogated to himself the agenda of damning the Gallo’s fine product with faint praise. This longhaired filthy hippie should stick to things he is familiar with, such as hydroponics, dreadlocks and tie-dyed tshirts.
A. This was our first brandy review, and we didn’t come at it with snobbish attitude.
B. It was much better than the VSOP, but still not great.
C. Our agenda is that we hate walking into stores where everything has a 90+ score.
D. I’m trying to imagine Justice with dreadlocks and a tie-dye shirt – it’s somehow not possible yet equally hilarious.
And that is hilarious. I mean your imagination of Justice sir.
Not a brandy drinker but found it ok. Thought it better diluted a bit and cold, single shot, one ice cube. Not bad, especially for the price. Good occasional alternative to Scotch or Whiskey.
Just to clarify: My bottle had a black blouse, as opposed to the silver one pictured here, and the label said “Limited Release/Vintage Reserve”. Don’t know if different vintage or if it matters. Still, not bad at all.
Bought it on a whim. Not having ever tasted what someone would classify as the “Best”, I thought it was pretty good. A few nips out of the flask on a cold golf course morning suited me and my cart partner just fine. So we had a few more.
I’m pretty much a brandy noob. But I’ve been drinking single malt scotch and craft bourbon/rye for years now. So I’d like to think I have at least a competent tasting palate.
In the past two months I’ve conducted two blind tastings of three “low-end” brandies: Paul Masson V.S.O.P, St-Remy V.S.O.P., and E&J X.O.
E&J X.O has won my blind test both times. Smooth with a nice vanilla flavor, and very little burn.
I can buy a 750ml bottle in Houston for $12. Can’t beat it at that price.
exactly 🙂 12 bucks for XO is a big saving
For sidecars and sours it’s good enough. The non brandy ingredients s.a. sugar, lemon bitters take over. I think you just waste money using nice spirits for cocktails.
I agree. But a Brandy Manhattan with a dab of vermouth and cherry juice does not “take over” the excellence of the main ingredient, in my humble opinion.
I agree! I even like a nice bourbon, but we generally go for scotch. I normally don’t like brandy, but I like this.
E&J XO is nothing short of perfection in a glass. It’s fashionable to knock the taste of this eminently drinkable libation because, well, it’s “affordable,” or to put it more crudely, cheap. To hell with the brandy snobs, I say! Do yourself a favor and try E&J XO. The only thing that comes close (in this price range) is St. Remy XO, which is damn yummy, too — a bit fruitier with a more understated vanilla taste. E&J XO is like drinking a cinnamon roll with a boozy kick. Great after a meal or on a cold winter’s night. It’s a like wrapping yourself in raisin, maple, vanilla overcoat. Enjoy!
A. Out entire business model is to do what we like – not what’s fashionable
B. We love products that are affordable
C. Legit this entire review and it’s predecessor state we are not brandy snobs, but overall are very new to it (aside from 1 reviewer who is a cognac snob)
D. No this isn’t good.
I’ll drink to that. It’s very good, especially considering the price.
Are you reviewing the brandy or the price tag? This is, as advertised, very smooth with powerful overtones of caramel and maple. It’s a very pleasant and straightforward drink. In fact, I’ve never found a better brandy under $20.
Been a brandy drinker for over fifty years. Used to prefer the big name French brands. After trying Gallo vsop and xo a few years ago, that’s all we drink now. It is really good AND a great value. In blind tastings Gallo has come out on top. Some snobs just can’t accept that a reasonably priced brandy can’t be better than a high priced French brand. Fact is, price does not define quality.
Hennessy 750 $40
E&J XO 750 $14
Knowing that Frog grapes aren’t 2.5 times as good as Cali grapes.
$Priceless
Just bought my second bottle, I’m liking it just fine, I’m fairly new to brandy. I guess I would ask what to compare it to?
I have tried just regular (E&J)and it was, as stated in the post, harsh, and very strong. So, as I was talking to store clerk, one day, he referred me to (VSOP) and it was terrible. I told him about it and he seemed puzzled and then he said ok, try this. You’re going to love it. He cut the price and I tried it. I have been a true pan of (XO) every since. I don’t have to add anything to it and I do drink at room temperature. My friends also love it. Oh, and I have tried many different types of brandies, wines, cognacs, whisky’s, etc… I guess I do have taste for comparison. I would say try it, you might like it. I know, I do.
DO is the best buy for $$money
Spent an afternoon tasting different Brandys not knowing brands. Voting by numbers. Xo hands down for me. Glad I didn’t read snob reviews. Xo was the cheapest out of 7.
I’ve heard a number of comments of this XO tasting of maple syrup and artificial vanilla flavoring. Are there additives in this brandy or is it pure naturally aged brandy? One commenter on another site says they process the barrels in some unnatural way. Anyone have an answer?
I have always enjoyed the E and J Brandy until I tried the e and j XO it is not a good tasting brandy. I probably will never buy another bottle of E&J.
I am new to brandy and picked X*O Extra Smooth on a fluke for $30 Cdn. and yup, it is delicious. It doesn’t kick you but seductively takes you.
If this brandy was female, I’m a slave.
I have been a cognac drinker for years. As the prices have risen and risen, I have now and then tried, unsuccessfully, to find a decent brandy that could be a substitute for the cheapest cognac I can find. Honestly, this E&J XO isn’t half bad. I’m not totally sold on it yet (still on the first bottle), but it’s far better than, say, Paul Masson Grand Amber VSOP. I sorely miss Gaston de La Grange cognac, which always was a great buy and stood up against the big brands. It’s no longer available where I live.
Just finished my first taste of this brandy and the reaction was immediate. A strong and cloying chemical flavor clouded with something unfamiliar and reactive. The suspicion is this thing is loaded with chemical additives and the first instinct was to spit it out. Persevered and mixed an ounce with water, cream and a bit of apple juice to attempt something consumable. So far, no success. Maybe adding Sri Lanka cinnamon and nutmeg may mask it. Any hints to improve?
Honestly this one made a good susbtitute when I couldn’t find the specified expensive brandy for my family eggnog recipe (but you will also need really expensive apricot brandy and both light and dark rums so I don’t know if it’s just not bad enough to ruin the rest).
I have found, after I ran out of rum, that it tastes pretty good with coke. So if you are in the mood for a simple sweet drink to have with pizza… 🙂 I haven’t yet used it as a replacement for rum in a dark and stormy but it might work there as well.
I don’t mind the flavor plain but the only alcohols I drink straight regularly are meads, rice wines, tequilas, and damiana. In other words, I am a bit of a sweet tooth so ymmv.
I just bought a bottle of E&J XO for 11.99. It tastes like vanilla extract ( I love vanilla). I was wondering if they didn’t mix up the fill with their vanilla flavored brandy. I have only been drinking for about 4 months I have tried some 40-60 dollar cognacs. Remy Martin VSOP, Kelt VSOP, Dusse VSOP, Hennessy VSOP and Remy Martin 1738 in that order over the last four months. I can tell they are different but in a blind taste test I can’t name them. So I am spending too much money on cognac, that is why I bought budget american brandy. Now, I can not determine if I am being negatively influenced by some of the bad reviews or if I really like this stuff even if it is not as tasty as the expensive stuff.
Just bought a bottle of E&J XO extra smooth brandy. I like this brandy! It taste good a warms you up while sitting in a deer blind. Will buy another bottle when this one is gone.
E & J XO is excellent for the price. It scored 91 points in the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge blind tasting.
Was always a rye whiskey drinker for several years and had a whim one day and tried EJ XO and fell in love with the taste and haven’t gone back to whiskey since then. Had several friends and family who have tried some of mine and they also have made the switch.
For sidecars and sours it’s good enough. The non brandy ingredients s.a. sugar, lemon bitters take over. I think you just waste money using nice spirits for cocktails.
I grew up on cheap booze, but I have also drank very fine XO Conjac. When I was at the top of my game in sales, I went through two bottles of Remy Martin XO Cognac, back when you could buy it for less than half what it goes for today. Now that everything is more expensive and I am a man of lesser means, I have been on a quest for bargain spirits, so I had high hopes for this American brandy. Those hopes were dashed by this garbage. The vanilla taste like fake vanilla extract was added (I am a serous cook and have real vanilla extract and bean in my pantry), and for me, overpowers everything about the flavor except the burn. I actually preferred the VSOP, but not enough to ever buy it again. I managed to choke the bottle down with mixed drinks and cooking (Brandy Alexander anyone?), but it is one of the few spirits that I seriously considered pouring down the drain! The other was Ballantine’s Finest, that was choked down in Bloody Mary Queen of Scotts cocktails.
I’ve just tried St. Remy XO, and am now about halfway through the bottle. While it is nowhere near as good as Remy Martin XO, it is light years ahead of E&J XO. It is also enjoyable in its own right, neat and I will definitely buy it again. It is also inexpensive enough to cook with and more than good enough for mixed drinks. On stop shopping!
My ass this is brandy. It is 80 proof alcohol with sugar and vanillin,