86 proof

At last! A French brandy built for cocktails that doesn't taste like a compromise! Sainte Louise was created with bartenders in mind, specifically for the classic brandy drinks that tend to suffer when the base spirit is either too thin, too sweet, or too expensive … or all three. This is primarily Ugni Blanc brandy from just outside the Cognac AOC, blended in the Cognac region from Charentais copper pot-distilled eaux-de-vie aged three to ten years in French oak.

That combination gives it exactly what you want: real fruit, proper texture, gentle oak, and enough proof—86—to hold its shape in a Sidecar, Brandy Crusta, Vieux Carré, or Wisconsin Old Fashioned. Think pear, dried fruit, vanilla, warm and gentle spices, and a savory little grip that keeps the finish from heading toward candied. It’s not trying to be a trophy Cognac, but it is serious enough to sip while being priced nicely and structured enough to mix.