Van Ryn's Collection Reserve is South Africa's most celebrated portfolio of brandies. Hand-crafted along the banks of the Eerste River near Stellenbosch, the prestige portfolio of luxury brandies continues to attract worldwide acclaim, winning trophies and best-of-class ratings at international shows.
Since its debut earlier this decade, the collection has earned the Worldwide Best Brandy trophy on the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London no fewer than three times, as well as Best Brandy trophy on the International Spirits Challenge (ISC), while amassing an enviable cache of gold medals at these events and at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
Tranquil splendour
Van Ryn's brandies are made in a chateau-like distillery, nestled in the Vlottenburg Valley, about 35 minutes drive from Cape Town. Set back from the road in a tranquil enclave that spells luxury from the moment you enter the meticulously manicured courtyard you become aware you are about to experience something fine and unique. The quietly plush interiors are tastefully lined with awards, certificates and accolades with a sophisticated and understated modesty that encapsulates Van Ryn's. As you walk into the beautifully restored building, you become immersed in a sense of Van Ryn's rich history, dating back to 1845 when Hollander Jan van Ryn came to the Cape from Ronderkerk and established a highly successful business that was to earn him and his sons the esteem of London's leading importers.
On arrival you are graciously welcomed with a brandy cocktail, a light touch that introduces you to the versatility of the famous brandies created here. The message is clear: our brandies might command the respect of the world's most demanding judges but you are here to relax and explore the multi-faceted nature of what we make. What you won't readily see is Van Ryn's inner sanctum, the Paradiso Room, where world-renowned brandy master Johan Venter hosts ultra-exclusive blending workshops for the cognoscenti.
Here he exhibits his erudite craftsmanship, blending from Van Ryn's precious stocks to give the lucky few a glimpse into how he creates these inimitable brandies with their rare combination of opulence and finesse. But sipping your brandy refresher in the deluxe surroundings clad in muted, earth-toned shades of leather, suede, moleskin and chenille, you will notice the gleaming copper pot stills, the hallmark of Van Ryn's traditional brandy making.
Age-old craftsmanship
Carefully selected grapes, mostly Chenin blanc and Colombar, are vinified before a process of double-distillation in which only the heart of the wine spirit is reserved for Van Ryn's. The distillation takes place in imported French pot stills like those on display, following a process perfected centuries ago in Cognac, France, and followed at the distillery to this day.
The clear spirit is then aged in small French oak vats, no larger than 340 litres. The smaller the barrel, the greater the impact of the wood, which imparts rich, nutty and wood spice flavours to the vibrantly fruity brandy that deepens in hue as it matures over a decade or more. The wood is naturally seasoned and toasted to the specification of Van Ryn's to ensure that just the right degree and combination of inherent oak flavours will imbue the brandy with deliciously aromatic characters of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as nuts, chocolate, mocha and caramel.
These inviting smells and tastes mingle with traces of sun-ripened peach, pear and apricot, plump raisins and hints of citrus to create Van Ryn's unique collection. Van Ryn's Collection Reserve The Van Ryn's Collection Reserve comprises four brandies, each one an international gold medallist. The 10 Year Old Vintage brandy announces itself with heady wafts of ripe pears, almonds, chocolate, malt and a nuance of tobacco. It's soft and enveloping on the palate with a smooth and lingering finish. The 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve, which has twice won the IWSC Worldwide Best Brandy trophy and once the ISC Best Brandy trophy, manages to be both graceful and voluptuous. Its richly golden shades introduce a generous nose of fruit and vanilla, leading onto a complex and layered taste of dried fruit and coffee that lasts and lasts.
The deeply-coloured 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve stands out for its distinctively honeyed-citrus fragrances that unfurl to reveal a rich and creamy palate laced with chocolate and wood spice.The apex of the collection is the 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve, another winner of the IWSC Worldwide Best Brandy trophy. Here prune, port and pear perfumes herald a wonderful profusion of rich, spicy and nutty Christmas cake on the nose and palate. Complex and weighty, it is surprisingly elegant and ends on a clean finish.Brandy Master, Johan Venter, is not prescriptive about the way you enjoy these brandies. "My preference is neat in a brandy balloon or in a tumbler with a block or two of ice, maybe a dash of water but there are no rules. Experiment until you find the way that suits you best," he advises.
Five-star experience In addition to a tasting of these golden treasures, Van Ryn's offers a tour of the distillery where knowledgeable guides succinctly explain the brandy making process. They end their journey with a stop at Van Ryn's cooperage, the only one still attached to a brandy distillery in South Africa. Some of the few remaining coopers practice their art for visitors, assembling the barrels of French oak in which Van Ryn's brandies are aged until deemed ready for blending.
The distillery, a national winner in the 2009 South African Tourism Welcome Awards, also boasts a five-star grading by the SA Tourism Grading Council. It offers all the brandies in the range, as well as some special gift packs and beautiful brandy accessories from decanters to crystal glasses. Van Ryn's has also devised a selection of experiences to showcase the range in all its splendour. The three pot stills - the 12, 15 and 20 year old, for example; are each paired with a hand-made chocolate to mirror its specific flavour profile and then rounded off with single-estate Honduran coffee. The 15 Year Old is also available as the centrepiece of a confection combination that includes brownie, blondie (white chocolate) and honey squares.
The facilities, complete with an exclusive boardroom, can be reserved by appointment for meetings and gatherings. Van Ryn's even has its own helipad and has hosted top-line exhibition, music and business presentations attended by South Africa's who's who.
For more details call 021 881 3875 or visit www.vanryn.co.za
