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August is National Women’s Month here in South Africa.

Where do I claim my prize for being the 100th person to tell you that?

I’ll also give you enough credit to assume that you know August was chosen in order to pay tribute to the women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.

History lesson over. Well, sort of.

Chances are you don’t associate brandy with women (it has more of a boytjies at the braai reputation), but there is a connection to be found in the mystical valley between the Swartberg and Langeberg mountain ranges.

That’s where the farm that grows the Colombar grapes that are the essence of Kinship’s Karo Brandy can be found, and legend has it that these grapes were planted by the hands of this brandy’s heroine, Karo

She was a wild-haired goddess who infused her sacred earth with nurturing spells, and is depicted on the bottle’s label as a magical figure on a tarot card, floating above the beautiful Karoo landscape and inviting all to share in the fruits of her gift.

Distilled in copper pot stills and matured in French oak barrels for 13 years, all under the watchful eye of Master Distiller Kobus Gelderblom at Oude Molen Distillery, the final blend results in an exclusive flavour combination of delicate dried peaches and litchi.

I’ve sunk my teeth into a bottle of Karo Brandy, and can confirm that it is a very smooth ride.

There’s also a hint of indigenous Karoo herbs and a lingering aftertaste of vanilla and apricot.

In fact, it’s the sort of brandy you can enjoy on ice, or met eish, as South Africans would say:

Be aggressive with your ice so the brandy is nice and chilled, and then as it melts, your splash of water is sorted, too.

Recently, Grant Rushmere, the founder of Kinship Spirits, sat with @insteatscapetown to talk more about Karo Brandy and the story behind it:

 

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Alongside Karo Brandy, Kinship also produces Malachite Fynbos Gin, Albatross Vodka, and Elephantom Rum.

You can order all of Kinship’s flagship spirits via their online shop, and any order will score you a free 50ml mini Karo Brandy bottle.