Tasting Guide
Discover the ritual to fully appreciate the nuances of an exceptional brandy aged for decades.
A Multisensory Experience
Tasting a Peinado brandy is a journey through time. Each sip reveals layers of complexity developed during years of patient aging in American and European oak barrels.
This guide will help you discover the secrets hidden in each glass, from the first aromas to the long and elegant finish.
The Perfect Glass
Balloon Glass
The traditional balloon glass allows you to gently warm the brandy with your hands, releasing the most subtle aromas. Ideal for younger brandies.
Tulip Glass
Recommended. Its shape concentrates aromas at the top, allowing for a more intense and refined olfactory experience.
Tasting Glass
Professional tasting glass that isolates aromas and allows for precise technical evaluation. Used by experts and sommeliers.
PROFESSIONAL TIP
Pour only 30-40ml of brandy. An overfilled glass hinders the movement of the liquid and aroma concentration. Never add ice to a brandy aged more than 10 years.
Visual Phase
COLOR
Observe the brandy against the light. Tones range from golden amber to deep mahogany. A darker color generally indicates longer aging and more wood extract.
TEARS
Gently swirl the glass and observe the "tears" or "legs" descending down the crystal. Slow, thick tears indicate greater body, glycerin, and flavor concentration.
BRILLIANCE
A quality brandy should show clean, transparent brilliance, without cloudiness. Clarity reflects careful distillation and proper aging.
Olfactory Phase
FIRST NOSING (Glass at 10cm)
Without putting your nose in the glass, perceive the most volatile aromas: alcohol, primary fruits, and ethereal notes. Don't get too close to avoid saturating your sense of smell.
SECOND NOSING (Glass at rim)
Bring the glass closer. You'll discover the aging notes: vanilla, toffee, spices, dried fruits, cocoa, and the distinctive signature of the wood.
THIRD NOSING (After swirling)
Gently swirl the glass to oxygenate. More complex aromas emerge: rancio, leather, tobacco, coffee, and unique nuances of each particular reserve.
AROMA WHEEL
Prune, date, fig, candied orange, ripe grape
Vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pepper
Toffee, caramel, cocoa, coffee, toasted almond
Oak, cedar, sandalwood, leather, blonde tobacco
Gustatory Phase
Entry
Take a small sip and let it rest on the tip of your tongue. Perceive the first impression: sweetness, alcoholic warmth, and the silky texture of aged brandy.
Mid-Palate
Let the brandy flow across your entire mouth. Discover the balance between sweetness, acidity, and wood tannins. Appreciate the body and complexity of flavors.
Finish
Swallow slowly and pay attention to the aftertaste. An exceptional brandy offers a long, elegant finish, with memories that linger for minutes.
EXPERT TECHNIQUE
"Gently inhale with slightly parted lips while the brandy is in your mouth. This 'retronasal' technique allows aromas to reach the olfactory bulb from inside, revealing layers of complexity impossible to perceive with the nose alone."
— Master Taster, Bodegas Peinado
Official Tasting Notes
Peinado 10 XO
10 YearsNOSE
Vanilla, toasted oak, subtle floral notes and a touch of orange blossom honey.
PALATE
Smooth and elegant. Ripe fruits, caramel and a perfect balance between sweetness and wood.
FINISH
Medium-long, with persistence of vanilla and soft spices.
Peinado 12 Years
12 YearsNOSE
Dried fruits, raisins, milk chocolate and a background of sweet spices.
PALATE
Round and velvety. Walnuts, dried figs, hints of coffee and salted caramel.
FINISH
Long and enveloping, with noble wood notes and a balanced sweetness.
Peinado 20 Years
20 YearsNOSE
Complex and deep. Dark chocolate, tobacco, fine leather and oriental spices.
PALATE
Intense yet balanced. Prunes, roasted coffee, cocoa and a touch of candied orange.
FINISH
Very long and memorable. Aged wood, warm spices and a persistent aftertaste.
Peinado 100 Years
100 YearsNOSE
Extraordinary. Layers of aged dried fruits, precious woods, exotic spices and an ethereal floral bouquet.
PALATE
A symphony of flavors. The essence of a century condensed in every sip: forest honey, caramelized walnuts, dates and a touch of saffron.
FINISH
Endless. An experience that lingers on the palate like a precious memory, with notes that evolve over minutes.
Guided Cellar Tasting
Experience an unforgettable tasting guided by our master taster. Discover the secrets of more than 200 years of tradition while sampling our complete collection.
Book Tasting