Old craftsmanship – new vigor
ÉLAN Brandy was born from the vision of giving the traditional craftsmanship of southern German family distilleries a contemporary and exclusive style. Over many years, intensive research was conducted into what constitutes the essence of a premium brandy and how this can be reflected in its taste and design. The result is ÉLAN Brandy, which preserves the deep roots of the distilling craft while embodying a modern character. ÉLAN's design symbolizes strength, dynamism, and elegance, expressing the brandy's flavor qualities in perfect harmony.
How ÉLAN is made
First step
Fermentation
The grapes are harvested and gently pressed, then yeast is added, which starts the fermentation of the base wine.
Second step
Destillation
The base wine is distilled in a copper still, whereby the alcohol is vaporized by heat and then recondensed back into liquid form.
Third step
Maturation
The distilled spirit is aged in American oak barrels to develop a unique flavor profile and a rich amber color, reaching the V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) level after at least four years of aging.
First step
Fermentation
The grapes are harvested and gently pressed, then yeast is added, which starts the fermentation of the base wine.
Second step
Destillation
The base wine is distilled in a copper still, whereby the alcohol is vaporized by heat and then recondensed back into liquid form.
Third step
Maturation
The distilled spirit is aged in American oak barrels to develop a unique flavor profile and a rich amber color, reaching the V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) level after at least four years of aging.
Cocktail recipes
Enjoy ÉLAN Brandy V.S.O.P with a piece of orange peel in your glass. To do this, gently squeeze the orange...
A refreshing yet spicy and deep long drink. The cocktail gets its name from the long lemon peel that hangs...
The Brandy Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that combines elegance and taste. It is characterized by its balanced blend...
A creamy dessert cocktail that evolved from the original Alexander by replacing gin with brandy. It was the brandy that...
Between the Sheets is a powerful cocktail from the Prohibition era and is often described as a variation on the...
The faces behind Élan
Behind ÉLAN is a young couple who combine different experiences and work toward a shared vision: respect for craftsmanship, clarity in design, and the aspiration to make quality visible and palatable.
The founder brings expertise and many years of experience in the wine and spirits industry. The founder is a lawyer in the financial sector and complements the project with analytical strength and structured thinking.
This shared vision gave rise to the desire to breathe new life into old craftsmanship and translate traditional southern German distilling into a contemporary form. In collaboration with a family of winemakers who are friends of ours, we developed ÉLAN V.S.O.P—a brandy that combines precision, finesse, and elegance. These are values that also guide us as founders.
Types of brandy
Brandy has a traditional age classification system, which is not strictly regulated outside of Cognac and Armagnac. This information can usually be found on the label:
Brandy around the world
The history of brandy
Brandy is one of the oldest and most popular spirits in Europe. As early as the High Middle Ages (1050–1250), brandy was valued as a remedy. Thanks to its high alcohol content, it was also ideal for long sea voyages, as it preserved wine for longer.
The term “brandy” comes from the Dutch brandewijn, meaning “burnt wine.” Until 1920, it was common in Germany to refer to brandy as “cognac.” However, with the introduction of protected designation of origin for the French town of Cognac, this term could no longer be used generally.
The German word Weinbrand did not diminish its popularity. On the contrary: after the First World War, brandy became the Germans' favorite spirit, significantly surpassing French cognac until the 1950s. Generations enjoyed brandy as a stylish conclusion to a meal – a symbol of conviviality and joie de vivre.
7th Century
Arab Origins
In the region of Jerez, Arabs first distilled wine for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
Around 1313
French Beginnings
In France, wine distillation began. Physicians called the distillate “eau de vie” and considered it a remedy.
16th Century
Dutch Influence
A Dutch chemist concentrated wine through distillation to ease transportation. The product was called “brandewijn”.
17th Century
English Naming
The English shortened “brandewijn” to “Brandy”, a name that became internationally established.
19th Century
Commercialization
Brandy was marketed in large quantities. English, French and Spanish merchants promoted trade in Jerez and refined the aging process.
20th Century
Legal Definitions & Regulations
The term “Weinbrand” became legally protected in Germany, while “Cognac” was geographically protected in France as an AOC designation.
Today
Premiumization & Globalization
Cognac and Brandy brands focus on luxury positioning with refined barrel aging and limited editions. Cognac especially grew in the US and Asia as a status symbol.
Brandy vs Whisky
Brandy
- Distilled from wine or fermented
- fruit mash, usually from grape wine
- Aged in wooden barrels for at least 6 months
- Minimum alcohol content of 36%
- Sweetening and caramel coloring are permitted
Whisky
- Distilled from fermented corn, barley, wheat, and rye
- Aged in wooden barrels for at least 3 years
- Minimum alcohol content of 40%
- No sweeteners, flavorings, or other additives are permitted—except for caramel coloring
Pickup possible by arrangement
Allensteiner Weg 5
65191 Wiesbaden
Tel.: +4915171134433
Email: info@elan-brandy.com
Frequently asked questions
Orders usually take 3–5 business days to deliver. You will find the delivery details in your confirmation email.
As a consumer, you have a 14-day right of withdrawal. You can find more information about your right of withdrawal and a sample withdrawal form here.
The available payment options will be displayed at the beginning of the ordering process.
No, we currently only ship within Germany. Shipping costs will be added during the payment process.
Please store the brandy in an upright position, away from sunlight and heat sources.
Brandy has an extremely long shelf life. Unopened, it can be stored practically indefinitely, and once opened, it will keep for many months or even years, as long as it is kept in a dark place, stored upright, and at a stable room temperature.
