When I received the invitation to check out what – might I add – has to be the classiest edition to make its home in Walthamstow’s Beer Mile, I was super excited. As a Drinks Blogger who has been a fan of dark spirits for a long time (whisk[e]y being my usual go to, but Cognac a close second), it was music to my ears hearing about Burnt Faith Brandy House and their new urban distillery complete with chanterais still – in the beating of London’s E17.

On arrival at 57 Sutherland Road, I am greeted with an ice cold glass of fizz. A much-needed and highly refreshing welcome drink to take the edge off a sticky afternoon’s commute down to east London.

British Brandy, you say? In Walthamstow, you say?

I take a moment to soak in my surroundings. Burnt Faith Brandy House is giving spacious industrial chic vibes - this would be the perfect east London venue for intimate gigs and performance, art shows and so much more - the potential is BIG! There is an impressive backlit display of fine-looking Burnt Faith Batch 001 Brandy bottles sitting uniformly against backlit shelving. Their nectar-coloured innards popping jewel-like against the purple colour palette. It feels regal. And the bottle… The bottle is… a-hem… let’s say… ribbed for her pleasure… the logo and branding is fresh too. It stands out. Exactly what you would expect from a cutting-edge newbie to the British Brandy scene.

Our British brandy embraces the endless wines, barrels & techniques tradition has ignored. Our home in London now contains the knowledge, equipment and attitude needed to unlock the real potential of brandy.  While we value and apply the knowledge of traditionalists, we don't think the best is behind us, we reckon it's yet to come. That’s why we don’t limit our vision and that’s why we make our brandy without boundaries. 

We’re given a short tour and potted history of Burnt Faith, and how they came to arrive in Walthamstow, and the investment (belief, expertise and dollar dollar) needed to make it happen. As we’re guided through the journey so far, we’re handed tots of Brandy to sip on. Taste-buds alight, that fuzzy warm glow of alcohol hitting right, the night is good un.

burnt faith - Turning Brandy traditions on their head.

The thing about Burnt Faith, compared to the traditional Cognac House, Hine, I had the please of visiting a few years back in France, is that Burnt Faith are not hamstrung by the typical A.O.C or D.O.P-esq rules and regulations. They are taking traditional Brandy/Cognac-making techniques, the lessons learnt and adding their own creative spin. Which, to be fair, might be just what is needed to really bring Dark Spirits to the attention of younger audiences. They’re committed to making “Brandy without boundaries.”

Why limit yourself to just three different grape varieties grown in the region when there’s a world of iconic wines and new producers to explore? Why use oak from only one or two French forests for your barrels when other luxury spirits are exploring all manner of woods to create new flavours and dynamics?

From past personal experience, when looking to try new whiskies, etc - I’ve gotta say, I’ve been more than swayed (when purchasing a new bottle of whisky) by the mention of a Bordeaux cask or a Sherry & Bourbon barrel finish on a pretty little label – coupled with the Sage advice of Dawn Davies of The Whisky Exchange and my friends in the drinks bizz, of course. So why should Brandy be any less playful?

Looking forward to seeing what comes next for Burnt Faith - and to finding a home for Burnt Faith Batch 001 in my drinks cupboard very soon!

Take a peek at this Instagram reel, which gives a taste of what we had in store for us at the launch party — I took so many more photos too!

Cocktail lovers & brandy lovers, watch this space for more exciting collabs & limited edition drops!

Find out more at burntfaith.com 👀

Wearing: over-size resort shirt & matching trousers (black/ light beige patterned) ~ @hm SS23 (worn over cream crochet crop top - SS22) with @stevemaddenuk black studded platform wedges.
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