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BOBADILLA

The Bobadilla family firm started life in the early
1930’s as sherry producers. Their most famous
brandy is 103. The name comes from the 103 days
that the expedition led by the Portuguese navigator
Magellan took to circumnavigate the globe.
Unfortunately he did not complete the trip as he
died near the Philippines. The white label is the
lighter of the two brandies and aged for three
years. The black label is aged for five years. The
company is now owned by Osborne but run as a
separate entity.

GONZALES BYASS

The company was founded in 1835 following a
partnership between a Spaniard and an
Englishman. It is still family
owned, which is amazing
considering the upheavals
that affected the sherry
industry in the early 1970’s.

They started life as sherry
producers and their most
famous brand is Tio Pepe.
Brandy production started
around 1885. Their entry
level brandy is Soberano
which is aged for one year. It
is Spain’s biggest selling
brandy and makes up about
90% of the company
production. The quality of
Soberano can be guessed
at as it is often sold
attached to a can of coke.

The next level up is Insuperable which is aged for three
years. The top level is Lepanto which is aged for twelve
years. It first appeared in 1896 when some old barrels were
found at the back of the warehouse. They must have poor
quality auditors in Spain. Unusually for Spain, it is made from
100% Palomino grapes. It is rated the top brandy in Jerez
and is often likened to a VSOP cognac.

In the next issue we will move up to Catalonia.

Frank Wynn

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