It’s no secret that Wisconsin gets down with brandy. It’s commonly said that more than half of all Korbel brandy sold in the U.S. is consumed right here in Wisconsin. And most of that brandy is being poured in the state’s flagship (sorry, Bloody Mary) cocktail, the Wisconsin Old Fashioned.
Now, I am no brandy aficionado, but I am a die-hard brandy sour Old Fashioned drinker. While the rest of the country associates the “traditional” Old Fashioned with the holiday season, we Wisconsinites enjoy our version year round.
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There’s just something about a spiced, fruity and warm brandy that works so well with cherry, orange, bitters and some nice lemon-lime soda. It’s great on a hot day, it’s great for a cozy night in, it’s as great at a dive bar as it is at a fancy restaurant – and boy, it sure is great in our basement bars and backyards.
While Korbel is Wisconsin’s brandy of choice, we have plenty of homegrown options to choose from. The Badger state has nearly 50 distilleries, according to market researcher IBISWorld – several of which make their own brandy. But the latest brandy release from Tattersall Distillery, located in River Falls, isn’t just another drop in the proverbial brandy barrel – it’s a love letter to the Wisconsin Old Fashioned.
Meet The Brandy That Tastes Like An Old Fashioned
Tattersall’s Brandy Old Fashioned is just that – a brandy that has been transformed into a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. It’s not one of those canned make-ahead cocktails, it’s a real deal 70 proof, 35% ABV bottle of brandy. It is made with sour cherry, orange and cranberry liqueurs, and a dash of housemade bitters, all to mimic the taste of our beloved state drink in a bottle.
This brandy is now available in select retailers and supper clubs across Wisconsin and Minnesota. The brandy was first introduced in 2023, but only sold on-site. When it became a “fan favorite in the distillery,” the journey of bringing it to the masses began.
“With the Brandy Old Fashioned, we wanted to bottle up more than just a cocktail, we wanted to capture the nostalgia and ritual of a classic Midwestern supper club,” says Jon Kreidler, founder and chief officer of Tattersall Distilling in a press release. “Whether you’re up North at the cabin, tailgating, camping, or hosting friends at home, our Brandy Old Fashioned brings that tradition to drinkers wherever they raise a glass.”
While I was enthralled with the idea of a brandy that tasted like my favorite cocktail, I was skeptical of the product itself. Would it be saccharine? Syrupy? How would it perfectly balance the elements of a delicious Wisconsin Old Fashioned?
Taste Testing
I tried Tattersall Distilling’s Brandy Old Fashioned in three ways (it was a great night): over ice, topped with Squirt soda, and prepared as I would with any other brandy – with bitters, muddled cherry and orange, a sugar cube and Squirt.
The first thing I noticed was the smell. Open the corked top and you will smell Old Fashioned – it was an olfactory shock. The cherry and bitters stood out immediately. There was a fruity sweetness that balanced the sharp brandy. It was an utter delight, and I hadn’t even had a sip.
At first sip (over ice) all the flavors were there. It tasted like a very strong Old Fashioned. The cherry and citrus was there, the bitters were distinct and the brandy was lovely and round – much more mellow than I thought it would be during my sniff test.
Tattersall got the balance right, nothing stood out, all in proportion. If I were a brandy neat or straight up kind of gal, I would want it to be this brandy. The medicinal, astringent element of liquor, while not completely eliminated, was calmed, making for a really lovely out-of-the-bottle experience.
For the second taste test, I added Squirt soda, my usual Old Fashioned pop of choice. This is where the brandy really shined. I closed my eyes and was transported to my dive bar of choice – Jamo’s, if you’re wondering. It was spot on – sweet but not overly so, a hint of tang, layered, gently boozy but cozy and warm. It had all the makings of the beloved cocktail, but in a lighter, two-ingredient mixed drink.
Lastly, I tried it with all the accoutrement – muddled cherry, orange, bitters, sugar and soda. It was a bit more of a sophisticated sip than the cocktail I usually throw together, but it sure was delicious. As I sipped, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of guilt covering up such a special liqueur. While this cocktail could be made with any brandy, the mixed drink I had minutes prior could not.
Three glasses later, I can confirm: Tattersall’s Brandy Old Fashioned can do it all. Adaptable, balanced and delicious gussied up or dressed down. I’m excited that this bottle now lives in my liqueur cabinet. It’s one I’ll reach for whenever I want a little sip of Wisconsin.
