Reviews of wines and spirits for the curious drinker.
Gran Gala belongs to the same general family as Grand Marnier: rather than putting orange flavor into a neutral alcohol base, such as Cointreau, it combines orange with aged brandy. Sazerac describes it as VSOP Italian brandy infused with fresh-orange flavors, producing a full-bodied, sweet, velvety orange liqueur. It’s a substantial 40% ABV, unusually high for an inexpensive liqueur.
Is this one of the best bargains in French brandy? Maybe. Maybe not.
When most spirits enthusiasts hear the name Gran Gala, they immediately think of the popular Italian orange liqueur often compared to Grand Marnier. What many drinkers don’t realize is that Gran Gala also produces an authentic French cognac—a surprisingly affordable bottle. At a time when many well-known cognac brands command prices of $40, $50, or significantly more for their entry-level offerings, Gran Gala VS often sells for less than $25. That price alone makes it worthy of a closer look.