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wine review

The “prisoner” is a pear, which you’ll plainly see inside the bottle of this superb spirit. Much effort goes into the packaging even before the elixir is distilled, of course, what with the producer having to fasten the bottle to the tree branch before the fruit starts growing. But there’s reward on the other end of the market chain. That curious fruit takes up a good amount of volume in the 750-millilitre container, so there’s less spirit to produce.

And yet, in this case it’s hard to complain. It’s a pretty sight and delicious, too. The pear flavour, which is achieved by fermenting the crushed, ripe fruit for weeks and before distilling, is pitch perfect, carried smoothly yet with warm spice and juiciness. Fresh pears at their often-elusive peak of ripeness are wonderful, yes, but this dry, 40-per-cent spirit is enough to make you think that brandy is the fruit’s highest calling.

  • Year: 2015
  • Region: Alsace, France 
  • Varietal: Fruit brandy
  • Price: $79.95

Rating:94 /100

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