Neighbouring Tipperary producers 'a stone's throw' from each other release new apple brandy

Two neighbouring Tipperary producers whose farms are within "a stone's throw" of each other have teamed up for a new product just in time for Christmas.

South Tipperary neighbours Cornelius Traas of the Apple Farm and Jennifer Nickerson of Tipperary Boutique Distillery at Ballindoney Farm have joined forces to release an exciting new Irish Apple Brandy joint collaboration, The 80.

The collaboration is the culmination of many conversations over the years between the neighbours whose farms are situated within 5km of each other in the Golden Vale.

The spirit which is made from the Apple Farm’s Apple Cider has been distilled by Tipperary Boutique Distillery and has been housed in a first fill, ex-Jerez Sherry Cask which was selected by Traas in 2021.

The name of the spirit “celebrates the eighty hand-picked apples required to fulfil each 500ml bottle of brandy which have been grown on the Traas Family Apple Farm”.

The juice extraction from the apples is not performed using an apple press, but a grape press. Fermentation is by wild yeasts, which are naturally occurring on fruit skins, within the fruit cavity and in the environment where the juice is extracted.

The spirit is double distilled by Nickerson at Tipperary Boutique Distillery on the Ahearn Farm at Ballindoney, outside of Cahir and this first batch comes in at a strength of 46% ABV. 

They say it is likely to appeal to a wide variety of brandy, whiskey and cocktail enthusiasts. 

According to the tasting notes, the new Irish brandy possesses “top notes of Toffee Apple and Almond Marzipan before finishing with a creamy mouth feel, making it the perfect fireside sip to be enjoyed with family and friends this Christmas”. 

With a relatively small production run of just 500 bottles, its production from seed to bottle within a 5km radius is sure to appeal to those looking for a refreshing home-grown tipple. The 80 is available to buy via The Apple Farm Shop and Tipperary Boutique Distillery website for €49.99.