Notes from the house.
Releases, recaps and the occasional opinion. Written when there is something worth saying.
- Brand stories20 August 2026
What makes a South African brandy
South African law sorts brandy into three classes, and the word on the label tells you how the spirit was made and how long it rested. What each class means, what changed in 2025, and how to taste the difference.
- Brand stories15 August 2026
Brandy and Coke, done properly
South Africa's drink deserves better than a warm glass and a guess. The proper brandy and Coke, step by step, and why the brandy matters.
- Releases1 August 2026
The first Verboten brandy is shipping
Three years in oak, finished in French casks, bottled in Pretoria. Verboten Premium Brandy is shipping now.