CHRISTIAN BROTHERS BRANDY, United States 750ml

The oak flavor from the bourbon barrel aging comes through nicely, making this a solid choice for mixing in cocktails. It’s smooth enough to sip on the rocks too, especially for the price.

I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth this is for the price—the European brandy influence gives it a richer finish than most American blends. It works perfectly as a simple mixer in a classic sidecar.

This is my go-to for mixing in cocktails—the bourbon oak barrel aging gives it a smoothness that really shines through, even in a simple highball. I’ve been using it for old fashioneds and it’s a fantastic value for a 750ml bottle.