OMAGE – a new cognac-inspired American brandy that’s produced with a nod to the more experienced palate of today’s brandy consumers – is rapidly growing its presence following the brand’s recent market entry in October 2021.
The brainchild of Julious Grant, a 30-year wine and spirits industry veteran, OMAGE combines a meticulous blend of grape varietals from California's prestigious wine-making regions, with a similar “méthode cognaçaise,” using grapes, distillation and barrel-aging to fill a void in the U.S. market, according to the company, for a “super-premium brandy with the craftsmanship of a fine French cognac."
“OMAGE pays homage to cognac’s history and artistry, while showing what’s possible with American grapes,” said Grant, Chairman and CEO of spirits producer and marketer The Brand House Group, which launched OMAGE.
The Brand House Group was founded in 2019 by Grant, and the company focuses on creating and marketing innovative spirits brands across a variety of categories. Grant previously held C-suite roles for Beam Suntory, Bacardi, Moët Hennessy, Diageo and Seagram, to name a few.
“Because of the freedoms brandy offers, we are building on the cognac-making process using a unique blend of high-quality, varietally-expressive grapes and oak variations to enhance flavor while reducing the sweetness typically found in the value-brandy entries,” Grant explained. “OMAGE offers a more natural, authentic spirit produced using similar cognac processes and featuring beautifully balanced flavor profiles that will also resonate with consumers of high-end bourbon, whiskey and scotch.”
Produced in classic California style by using grape varietals selected for their prime ripeness, OMAGE integrates advanced distillation in both pot and column stills with aging in charred and toasted American bourbon and French oak barrels, depending on style. Whether enjoying OMAGE VS, VSOP or XO, the result is a refined, approachable, super premium brandy that can be had neat, on the rocks, or used as a modern twist in classic cocktails.
OMAGE VS is aged two-plus years and is dominated by juicy apple aromas giving way to a nutty, vanilla finish. OMAGE VSOP is aged four-plus years and has inviting, bright aromas of fresh citrus and stone fruit complemented by a floral, toasty vanilla oak finish. OMAGE XO is aged six-plus years and has a distinct aged character marked by a dried apricot aroma with hints of jasmine and honeysuckle, balanced by tempered oak and a smooth caramel finish.
“As a long-time cognac devotee, I noticed a gap in the U.S. market for an elite American brandy that reduces the sweetness that you get in lower-priced brandies while balancing the oak flavor that you get from the cognac brands,” said Grant. “OMAGE fills this void and we're excited that distributors, retailers and consumers are as enthused about OMAGE as we are.”
OMAGE is available at wine and spirits retailers in major markets nationwide, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Boston and Milwaukee, among others.
The Brand House Group said they expect further growth throughout other regions over the coming months.
OMAGE can also be purchased at shop.omagebrandy.com, Drizly, Instacart, Wine.com and delivered to locations where it is permissible by law to receive alcohol products by mail. OMAGE VS, VSOP and XO retail for US$25.99, US$35.99 and US$89.99 respectively.
In addition to the recently-debuted OMAGE, The Brand House Group’s portfolio features Iconic Spirits, a line of high-quality Japanese spirits which currently includes Shunka Shuto (a variety of super-premium blended Japanese whiskies evoking the four seasons), Bikoku (a pure malt made from the underground waters of Mt. Fuji), Teitessa (a super-premium Japanese single-grain whisky), and Awayuki Gin (infused with the finest pink and white strawberries grown in Japan’s Nara Prefecture).
To learn more about The Brand House Group, visit TheBrandHouseGroup.com.
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