How To Roll

With the inevitability of the seasons changing, the leaves turning, and the temperatures dropping, we're not ashamed to say we've been thinking about brandy. Is that healthy? Not sure, but we need something to keep us warm through the oncoming cool autumn months.

While there were a few bottles to consider in search of the best spirit distilled from wine (sorry, Cognac gets its own category), we always considered the gold medal-winning Korbel California brandy our go-to spirit when a good Remy Martin bottle wasn't readily available. The rich golden color and amber hints were always a favorite of ours, and there aren't too many distilleries (although Asbach and Christian Brothers come to mind) with the same history and a stronger reputation for everything from a quick sip to cooking to mixing.

Now the company has introduced a new custom-designed bottle and label that pays homage to spirit namesake Francis Korbel. But we're not going to just laud the new Korbel for the bottle redesign. With a smooth texture and strong, flavorful hints, it already stands on it own. The fact that we've even considered lumping it together with our favorite cognacs is an even greater testimony to this brandy. We're not going to lie and say we thought we were drinking Remy, but the new Korbel is helping prepare us for the imminent post-summer chill.