Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva XO 70cl

Deep, dark, and dessert-adjacent, this is the Spanish brandy you pour when you want the room to go quiet for a second. Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva XO leans into those cozy flavours, dried fruit, caramel, roasted nuts, with enough oak spice to keep it interesting.

If you’ve only ever had “whatever” brandy (or you’ve been defaulting to the same mainstream cognac), this is a smarter upgrade. It gives you that luxurious, lingering vibe people chase in XO-style spirits, but with a distinctly Spanish character that feels a little more sun-baked and nutty.

How to drink it: Neat in a small glass after dinner, or with one big cube if you want it to open up slower while you snack on dark chocolate or roasted almonds.

• Nose: Dried figs and raisins, caramel, toasted nuts, and a soft hit of oak.
• Taste: Toffee and vanilla up front, then darker notes, dates, cocoa, and gentle baking spice with a round, clingy texture.
• Finish: Long and warming, with nutty oak, caramel, and a final flicker of spice.

Want a cocktail angle? Treat it like an Old Fashioned base, just swap the whiskey for this brandy, keep the sugar light, and go heavy on orange peel. You’ll get a richer, more dessert-leaning version that still feels grown-up.

This bottle also shines when you’re hosting. It’s an easy “you’ve gotta try this” pour because the flavours are instantly recognizable, but layered enough that people start arguing (in a good way) about whether they’re getting more fig, toffee, or toasted almond.

And yeah, it sits in the Cognac & Brandy world for a reason, it scratches the same itch as XO cognac, but it’s a different route to the same destination: long nights, slow sips, and that satisfied, warm finish.

Fun Fact: “Solera” is a blending system where younger and older spirits are married together over time, which is why this brandy tastes so consistently rich and layered from pour to pour.