David Bridges
Within the constellation of premium spirits that gentle up LA’s vibrant nightlife and luxurious eating panorama, OMAGE California Brandy shines uniquely vivid. This distinct spirit, launched by Model Home Group in 2022, is capturing the creativeness of connoisseurs with its subtle homage to conventional French cognac, tailor-made with a daring Californian twist. OMAGE’s meticulous crafting course of and its nuanced taste profile are setting a brand new normal in a market crowded with premium brandies, bourbons, and scotches.
OMAGE distinguishes itself by harmoniously mixing the heritage of French cognac manufacturing methods with the artisanal spirit of California. In a departure from conventional cognac, which primarily makes use of Ugni Blanc grapes, OMAGE employs a mix of 4 rigorously chosen California grape varietals chosen for his or her prime ripeness and distinctive taste profiles. This choice consists of Muscat Canelli, identified for its wealthy stone fruit flavors; French Colombard, which brings vibrant floral and citrus notes; Grenache, including a touch of berry flavors; and Mission, which provides a sturdy fruitiness and substantial physique. This quartet of grapes contributes to a extra complicated and layered style expertise, providing a tapestry of flavors that have interaction the palate in ways in which conventional American brandies seldom do.
Additional setting OMAGE aside is its twin distillation course of. Whereas conventional cognac is distilled utilizing solely pot stills, that are identified for his or her capacity to create a wealthy, full-bodied spirit, OMAGE makes use of each pot and column stills. This revolutionary method permits for higher management over the distillation course of, enabling the distiller to refine the spirit’s purity and fragrant profile. Using column stills, particularly, imparts a cleaner end to the brandy, which enhances the depth and complexity launched by the pot stills. This methodology not solely enhances the person traits of the varietal mix but in addition ensures a persistently high-quality spirit with every batch.
Barrel growing older is one other space the place OMAGE charts its personal course. Whereas cognac have to be aged in oak barrels produced from wooden from particular forests in France, OMAGE brandy is aged in a mixture of charred American bourbon barrels and toasted French oak. This mix of barrels infuses the brandy with a singular spectrum of flavors, from delicate vanilla and toasty oak from the French barrels to the daring, spicy undertones from the American bourbon wooden. This strategic alternative in barrel growing older contributes considerably to the brandy’s distinctive style, steering away from the overt sweetness that characterizes many American brandies, aiming as a substitute for a balanced, mature profile that may stand toe-to-toe with the best bourbons and scotches.
Model Home Group’s ambition with OMAGE is obvious: to create a brandy that not solely pays respectful homage to the traditions of French cognac but in addition boldly asserts its personal identification. The result’s a super-premium, award-winning California brandy that appeals to a classy palate, providing an expensive different that matches seamlessly into the high-end ingesting tradition of Hollywood and past.
A Gold Medlist within the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competitors and a finalist within the 2023 Final Spirits Problem, OMAGE is more and more celebrated in unique circles and at selective spirits occasions, the place its wealthy heritage and revolutionary craftsmanship proceed to draw admirers. With its increasing presence, OMAGE is now out there at high eating places, bars, and nightlife venues all through the US, in addition to at main spirits retailers like Complete Wine & Extra and unbiased wine & spirits shops. Moreover, it may be conveniently bought by way of on-line platforms like Instacart.
In Hollywood, the place tendencies might come and go along with the seasons, OMAGE brandy stands out as a timeless tribute to the artwork of distillation and barrel growing older—an emblem of how custom and innovation can mix to create one thing actually extraordinary. Go to omagebrandy.com to study extra and to buy OMAGE immediately.
Troy Sanders
