Drinking The World

TED HAIGH, known as “Dr. Cocktail”, author and mixologist, is one of the world’s top experts on vintage cocktails and spirits from the early 1800’s to present.

JMF: What are your thoughts on artisanal fruit brandy and spirits made in North America?

TH: I think the re-invigorated American brandy distilling trends are very valuable indeed. Though I am not particularly nationalistic about the spirits I enjoy, the research and willingness of domestic craft distillers to experiment, create new things, and revive old ones I find heartening... even exciting.

Follow up:

JMF: How well are they selling?

TH: I think the aged product do fairly well. Americans as a whole have never gotten their heads around eaux de vie. Of the two, I’d say unaged fruit brandies are a niche market within a niche market. The cost to produce other fruit brandies than grape leads, of course, to higher shelf prices...that is one reason they remain a bit obscure here. Personally, I’m a total sucker for them.

JMF: What do you think are the best ones available?

TH: I can’t say. I’m tasting new and wonderful ones all the time, and have been for some time. I’m all for a widening embarrassment of riches.

JMF: How much does the general public know about them?

TH: As I noted, I believe there is both recognition and acceptance of the aged brandies, and the domestic producers of eaux de vie need to set up a manufacturers’ association to educate Americans and promote the delights, utility, and uses for their fruit brandies and, in general, aid in their marketing.