Everything You Need to Know About Apple Brandy and Applejack

Apple brandy may be the only thing more American than apple pie. The origins of American apple brandy date back to the 1600s, when colonists were growing apple orchards across the Northeast and making hard cider, surpassing even Bourbon in the process. However, instead of settling for cider, why not make something stronger? By leaving barrels outside to freeze overnight, those ingenious colonists increased the alcohol content of cider in the name of progress. By using this ingenious technique, called "jacking," consumers were able to separate the ice that remained in the barrels from the alcohol that did not freeze, creating a high-proof "applejack."

The Grandfather of American Applejack: The Legacy of Laird & Company

Historical Background

The story of American applejack begins in 1698 when William Laird, a Scotsman with a deep knowledge of distilling, settled in New Jersey—an area rich in apple orchards. Recognizing the potential of the local apples, Laird began crafting apple brandy. By 1780, his great-grandson, Robert Laird, established Laird & Company, which is now recognized as the oldest licensed distillery in the United States. The family's apple spirits gained such popularity that even George Washington sought their “cyder spirits” recipe, and historical records indicate he produced his own version for sale.

Modern Production

Fast forward to today, nine generations later, and Laird & Company continues to be America’s leading producer of apple brandy. Their lineup features a variety of expressions, including:

• Bottled-in-Bond Straight Apple Brandy
• 86-Proof Straight Apple Brandy
• Rare 12-Year-Old Apple Brand

These Straight Apple Brandies, crafted from a blend of different apple varieties and aged in oak barrels, offer a robust whiskey-like profile with pronounced notes of apple and baking spices. They are perfect for mixing into classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned. In contrast, the richly flavored 12-year-old expression is best enjoyed neat, similar to a fine cognac.

Understanding Applejack

Historically, the term “applejack” was synonymous with apple brandy until 1968, when consumer preferences shifted towards lighter spirits like vodka and gin. To adapt, whiskey makers began producing blended products to compete, leading the Lairds to collaborate with the government in defining a new federal standard for applejack. Today, applejack is classified as a blend containing at least 20% apple distillate and neutral grain spirit, aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels.

Laird & Company remains the sole producer of true blended applejack, offering a rich blend of 35% apple brandy and 65% neutral grain spirit. This results in a mellower apple flavor compared to pure apple brandy and makes it a key ingredient in cocktails like the Jack Rose, which combines applejack, grenadine, and lime juice.

Innovations in Apple Distillation

In 2015, Laird & Company introduced Jersey Lightning, an unaged apple distillate that showcases the bold flavors of fresh apple. The moonshine-like spirit, Laird's Jersey Lightning, is a unique mixing option that enhances the brand's portfolio and is encouraged by bartenders to bottle it.

New Frontiers in American Apple Brandies

While Laird & Company remains the pioneer of American apple brandy, several local producers across the country are also crafting exceptional apple spirits:

1. Black Dirt Distillery (Warwick, New York): This distillery pays homage to the region's applejack history with its Bonded Apple Jack, made from 100% Jonagold apples.
2. Harvest Spirits Distillery (New York): Known for Cornelius Applejack, this smooth and refined apple brandy is aged in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels, imparting complex flavors.
3. Copper & Kings Distillery (Louisville, Kentucky): This distillery produces a copper-pot-distilled apple brandy matured in Bourbon barrels and sherry casks, resulting in a spirit with aromatic hints of sherry and butterscotch.
4. San Juan Island Distillery (Washington): Utilizing techniques from French Calvados production, this distillery creates award-winning Apple Eau de Vie and Apple Brandy, highlighting the island’s ideal apple-growing climate.
5. Clear Creek Distillery (Hood River, Oregon): Their apple brandy rivals traditional Calvados, crafted from Golden Delicious apples and aged in a mix of old and new French Limousine oak barrels.
6. St. George Spirits (California): Released in 2014, the limited-edition Reserve Apple Brandy features a field blend of apples from a single orchard, showcasing bright green apple and caramel notes with a honey-cinnamon finish, perfect for a Hot Toddy.

Conclusion

The legacy of Applejack and Apple Brandy in America, led by Laird & Company, continues to thrive. With a rich history, innovative products, and a growing number of local distilleries, the future of American apple spirits looks promising. Whether you prefer classic apple brandy or the versatile applejack, there’s a world of flavors waiting to be explored.