La Mare started distilling our Jersey Apple Brandy in 1993. Using a mixture of dessert and cider apples sourced from orchards across the island, we make a very strong cider full of ripe apple aromas, perfect for distillation.

Our copper pot still was originally made to produce Calvados over 100 years ago. Now, its unique shaped head is making spirit from Jersey apples and is perfect for retaining character from the cider.

The cider is double distilled through the pot still to obtain a clear spirit of about 70% alcohol by volume. This is then moved to our cellar to age in oak casks where a magical change takes place over several years, with the interaction of the wood and spirit producing a golden brown liquid, soft and mellow, with vanilla character from the casks, superbly complimenting the apple aromas from the spirit. After a few years, the spirit is blended from the casks and cut with pure water to drinking strength of 40% and bottled in the distinctive tall dark bottle.

The final Apple Brandy is golden and silky in the glass, with vanilla, honey and spicy apple aromas. The palate is smooth, gently warming with mellow apple and vanilla flavours that linger on the tongue. It can be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif, digestif, or mixed with soda water or ginger ale for a long drink with a difference.

Of course, for a truly extravagant experience, try it poured over a warm apple pie served with thick Jersey cream!

Jersey Apple Brandy is available in 50cl bottle or a 5cl Flagon made by the Jersey Pottery. Click here to order.