Spirit Style

Two brandies carry the style of the region, and they have almost nothing in common: a clear pomace brandy from Galicia and an apple-wine brandy from Asturias.

Orujo de Galicia, called Augardente de Galicia in Galician, is colorless, with an intense, fine, and delicate nose showing floral or fruity notes. Per the product specification, its strength ranges between 37.5 and 50% ABV. It should show no flaws such as smoke, mustiness, dirt, or vinegar.

When aged, it turns amber and develops vanilla, spice, and dried fruit. You can spot it on the label by the term envejecido or a stated aging period.

The distinction from its relatives is easy to state: Grappa, Marc, and Orujo are all pomace brandies under Category 6, yet origin, grape varieties, and distilling technique set them apart. The name Grappa is reserved for Italy, while Orujo de Galicia applies only to pomace from Galician grapes. Herbal spirits and coffee liqueurs, by contrast, are further processed products of Orujo and no longer count as pomace brandies.

Aguardiente de sidra de Asturias falls under Category 10 of the Spirits Regulation, the same category as French Calvados. It's made exclusively from Asturian apple wine, has a minimum of 37.5% ABV, and rests before sale — one year in its fresh form. Calvados, by contrast, requires at least two years in oak. In the glass, the Asturian spirit is drier and simpler, with aromas of apple and apple wine rather than the warmth of pear and old wood.