{"id":3394,"date":"2022-01-19T15:15:48","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T15:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/?p=3394"},"modified":"2026-10-14T12:50:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T12:50:52","slug":"gran-duque-de-alba-brandy-gets-a-new-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/gran-duque-de-alba-brandy-gets-a-new-look\/","title":{"rendered":"Gran Duque de Alba Brandy gets a new look"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph\">The range\u2019s new presentation takes a more contemporary approach while keeping the origins of a design whose creativity is part of our winery\u2019s legacy. The packaging update includes a renewed bottle design, featuring the faceted edges of its base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Gran Duque de Alba\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/678166173?dnt=1&app_id=122963\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cork stopper keeps its red colour but gains prominence through its size, shape and the engraved coat of arms of the House of Alba. The label is now transparent, with the brand name in its near-original lettering alongside the signature of the Grand Duke of Alba himself and, although the wax seal disappears, the bottle keeps its characteristic red ribbon.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-2.jpg\" alt=\"Woman in a red armchair with Gran Duque de Alba brandy\" class=\"wp-image-1275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-2.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1140px) 100vw, 1140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-4.jpg\" alt=\"Woman holding a glass of Gran Duque de Alba brandy\" class=\"wp-image-1279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-4.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1140px) 100vw, 1140px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new format gives it a special distinction, positioning it along more modern lines to adapt to current consumption trends in the spirits sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Historic portrait of Fernando \u00c1lvarez de Toledo, Grand Duke of Alba\" class=\"wp-image-1276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-3.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">History of the brand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-left is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Gran Duque de Alba brandy was launched in 1945. The Bodegas Williams & Humbert agent in Madrid was a close friend of Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart y Falc\u00f3, 17th Duke of Alba, and, with the launch of this exclusive brandy imminent, asked him if he could name it after him. After tasting it, the aristocrat was very impressed and suggested that such a noble product would be better named after his ancestor the Grand Duke of Alba, Fernando \u00c1lvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, who had brought greatness to the House of Alba and was an important historical figure.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2014, Williams & Humbert decided to update the design of the Gran Duque de Alba range so that the\u00a0 brandy would be associated with a contemporary, modern and vibrant category. It is worth remembering that the great internationally renowned ceramicist Antoni Cumella designed the bottle and stopper for the 1973 campaign that launched this celebrated brandy internationally.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2021, Williams & Humbert has renewed the design once again, hoping the final result will captivate our customers and show them the countless possibilities of this drink \u2013 ideal for relaxed after-dinner moments and grand evenings alike, excellent for slow sipping and also as the base for cocktails and long drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignwide has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"1709\" data-id=\"1281\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-5.jpg\" alt=\"Woman seated by a table with Gran Duque de Alba brandy\" class=\"wp-image-1281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-5.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-5-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-5-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-5-768x1151.jpg 768w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-5-1025x1536.jpg 1025w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1140px) 100vw, 1140px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"1709\" data-id=\"1282\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-6.jpg\" alt=\"Woman enjoying a Gran Duque de Alba brandy\" class=\"wp-image-1282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-6.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-6-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-6-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-6-768x1151.jpg 768w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-6-1025x1536.jpg 1025w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1140px) 100vw, 1140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gran Duque de Alba brandy is the spirit of wine. Its raw material is the result of distilling good, balanced wines, and it is aged in the same way as sherry: through a complex \u201cdynamic\u201d system known as \u201ccriaderas y soleras\u201d, unique to the Jerez region. This ageing system ensures that consumers always enjoy a Gran Duque de Alba brandy with the same flavour, aroma and quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wood is fundamental to the ageing of Gran Duque de Alba Brandy \u2013 not only because the casks are American oak, whose porosity and ability to impart character are ideal, but above all because they have previously held one of the extraordinary sherries of Bodegas Williams & Humbert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Gran Duque de Alba<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"1338\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-7.jpg\" alt=\"New bottle of Gran Duque de Alba brandy\" class=\"wp-image-1283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-7.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-7-256x300.jpg 256w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-7-872x1024.jpg 872w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-7-768x901.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1140px) 100vw, 1140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The extraordinary characteristics of this Solera Gran Reserva Brandy are the result of the meticulous selection of its raw material. Excellent white wines from Palomino and Air\u00e9n grapes and early distillation are key to the final quality of the spirits (holandas). These holandas age for 12 years in American oak casks previously seasoned with Oloroso, following the traditional Soleras y Criaderas system and with strict control of the volume drawn so that the brandy\u2019s age remains constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its mahogany colour with golden hues and complex aromas of \u201cvinous esters\u201d, with broad balsamic nuances, reveal its long and careful time in wood. On the palate it is slightly sweet, smooth and full, with toasted and vanilla notes and a long, pleasant finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Gran Duque de Alba XO<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"1338\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-8.jpg\" alt=\"New bottle of Gran Duque de Alba XO brandy\" class=\"wp-image-1284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-8.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-8-256x300.jpg 256w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-8-872x1024.jpg 872w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-8-768x901.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1140px) 100vw, 1140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The extraordinary characteristics of this brandy come from its raw material: a combination of the soleras of Gran Duque de Alba and Gran Duque de Alba Oro. Excellence upon excellence. A very old brandy with the complexity only time can bestow. This Solera Gran Reserva ages for 15 years in American oak casks that held \u201cDon Guido\u201d, a renowned Pedro Xim\u00e9nez with a certified age of 20 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A brandy of noble colour, between antique mahogany and ebony. Very bright, with an intense nose of raisins, grapes, plum and vanilla, recalling its long years of ageing. Complex and majestic on the palate, both unctuous and velvety. Intense, persistent and very long retronasal finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Gran Duque de Alba Oro<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"1338\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-9.jpg\" alt=\"New bottle of Gran Duque de Alba Oro brandy\" class=\"wp-image-1285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-9.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-9-256x300.jpg 256w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-9-872x1024.jpg 872w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-9-768x901.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1140px) 100vw, 1140px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gran Duque de Alba Brandy in turn becomes the raw material for Gran Duque de Alba Oro. This Solera Gran Reserva is aged for 20 years, this time in American oak casks seasoned with \u201cDos Cortados\u201d Palo Cortado,\u00a0 a sherry with an average age of 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Between antique mahogany and ebony in colour, very bright, with an intense nose and vanilla notes from its long years of ageing.\u00a0 Complex and majestic on the palate, with an unctuous, velvety finish.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"1338\" src=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-10.jpg\" alt=\"Bottle of Gran Duque de Alba with a glass on a table\" class=\"wp-image-1288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-10.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-10-256x300.jpg 256w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-10-872x1024.jpg 872w, https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Gran-Duque-de-Alba-10-768x901.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1140px) 100vw, 1140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to enjoy it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brandy should be enjoyed to the drinker\u2019s taste. The traditional balloon glass is associated with a temperature of around 20 degrees, since the shape of the glass encourages contact with the hand and so keeps it warm.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In any case, we recommend serving the brandy between 10 and 15 degrees at most. It can also be enjoyed on the rocks or in small shot glasses at close to zero degrees.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pairing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Duque de Alba Brandy is an excellent match for cured cheeses, dark chocolate, nuts, turr\u00f3n or spicy flavours such as those typical of Mexican cuisine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gran Duque de Alba brandy gets a more contemporary bottle and label. Its history and the XO and Oro expressions, explained.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1273,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1172],"tags":[1243,1212,1265,1254,1267,1095],"class_list":["post-3394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spirits","tag-brandy-de-jerez-en","tag-brandy-gran-duque-de-alba","tag-gran-duque-de-alba","tag-new-look-en","tag-new-look","tag-williams-humbert"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3394"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3394\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4213,"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3394\/revisions\/4213"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global.williams-humbert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}