The journal
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 brandy has beaten the big names in blind tastings for years. What makes it different, why the law here is stricter than cognac's, 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 more than you think.
- Releases1 August 2026
The first Verboten brandy is shipping
Three years in oak, finished in French casks, bottled at 43% in Pretoria. Verboten Premium Brandy is shipping now.