For the second consecutive year, the prestigious title of the world’s best brandy at the 2024 World Drink Awards was bestowed upon a South African brandy, Van Ryn’s 15 YO Potstill Brandy.

“Brandy [just] performed to an empty stadium. With the stadium lights on,” tweeted a shocked South African musician, Kabomo at the time. “People didn’t know there was a concert after the game ...

The answer: the rise of a homegrown alternative. Top South African brandy has never lacked quality. Recently, however, it’s increasingly recognised as world class. Nothing proves this point more ...