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glossary (VSO - Ven)

V.S.O.P.
Describes that Cognac and Armagnac have been stored for at least four years. V.=Very, S.=Superior or Soft, O.=Old, P.=Product or Pale.
It is prescribed that German brandy has to be stored in an oak-barrel for at least one year.

Van der Hum
Van der Hum is a south-African mandarin liqueur. It is produced from wine-distillates, kaplanian tangarines and native spice. Its history dates back to the time of Holland's settlers.

Vanilla Kaki
This is a Kaki with slight vanilla aroma.

Varela
The Sherry-House Varela was founded by Don Ramon Jimenez Varela. He bought many completely prepared Soleras in Jerez de la Frontera, Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda. Today, they are the base of the today's exported Sherry-wines. In 1912, the sons of the founder took over the company, since that time it has been called Hijos de Jimenez Varela. The company owns considerable stocks of very good sherry-wines; the biggest stock is stored in the big bodegas in Puerto de Santa Maria. One of it is the "King's Bodega", where a Sherry of especially quality is stored. Varela-Sherrys is available in most different taste-directions, like Dry Fino, Medium and Cream.

Vat 69
'Vat 69' is exactly, what the name suggests: a whisky from a barrel (vat) with the number 69. When William Sanderson decided to produce a blended Scotch Whisky in the late 19th century, he composed more than 100 different blends. Then he, together with experienced blend masters and friends, tested each barrel and chose, which one was the best. The choice was clearly made. It was barrel No 69. William Sanderson, born in Leith in 1839, started an apprenticeship with a wine and spirituous liquors producer at the age of 13. In 1863, he already owned his own business and produced liqueurs and whisky-mixtures. In 1880, his son William Mark joined the business. He convinced his father to bottle the different blends. Sanderson already bottled his liqueurs, but he did not like the idea of bottling whisky. His son was finally successful in convincing him. The typical VAT 69 - Bottle was introduced to the market and has not been changed for the next hundred years. In 1884, Sanderson bought the Glengarioch Distillery. It was situated in the middle of a barley field. The distillery was meant to ensure the delivery with grain-whisky. Sanderson took care, that there were always new products to be blended, because DCL, which was a strong society at that time, controlled such a big amount of the production, that it could influence the supply of the competing company very sensitively. Therefore Sanderson, together with Usher and Bell founded a company to produce grain-whisky, which still exists today as the "North British Distillery". Sanderson got a few Malt Whiskies , which he needed to blend his VAT 69, from a friend, John Begg, who owned the "Royal Lochnagar Distillery". When Begg died, Sanderson became director of Begg's Distillery. In 1933, Sanderson's company merged with Booth's Distilleries, which merged again with the DCL-Group in 1935. In autumn 1980, "Vat 69 Reserve" from the House of Sanderson had its world-première in England. Chosen and optimal stored malt whiskies are used to produce this De-Luxe-Whisky. It is a Blend of about 40 Malt and Grain whiskies. The different malts are blended with each other at the optimal ripening stage to ensure the best blend. This means, for example a light malt of eight years, having reached its ripening summit and coming from the Lowlands adds the same result to the blend than a 18 years ripened peat malt from Islay. Therefore, there are no standardised age-descriptions of Vat 69 Reserve. Since autumn 1980, Glenesk, which is a 12 year old Highland Single Malt (40 %), is available from Sanderson in Germany. Glenesk is stored for at least 12 years in Sherry-barrels. Its bouquet is fully ripe, it taste mild and slightly spicy. Since 1964, William Sanderson & Sons Ltd. overlooks the sale of "Antiquary", which is a 12 year old De-Luxe-Scotch-Whisky (40 %), Whisky-products available from Sanderson in Germany are: VAT 69 Finest Scotch Whisky (40 %), VAT 69 Reserve de Luxe Scotch Whisky (40 %). Glenesk Single Malt Highland Scotch 12 Years Old (40 %) and The Antiquary de Luxe Old Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old (40 %).

Vatted Malt
Used to describe the blend of different Malts in Malt-Whisky.

Vat
Is a storage-barrel.

Vecchia Romagna
The brandy Vecchia Romagna is one of the biggest brandy products from Italy. It is produced by the company Buton, which was founded as a wine-distillery in 1820. Vecchia Romagna "Etichetta Nera" has been stored in limousine-oak barrels for three years, before it is offered for sale. Vecchia Romagna "Etichetta Oro" is sold after seven years of storage. Alcohol content: 40 %.

Védrenne
The company Védrenne Pére & Fils is situated in Burundian Nuits-Saint-Georges. Products available from this company in Germany are: Supercassis (20 %), Créme de Fraises des Bois (20 %); furthermore two excellent Marc de Bourgogne, Très Vieux Marc Egrappe (45 %) and Eau-de-vie de Marc Hospices de Beaune (45 %).

Vénérable
Discription of old spirituous liquors, especially of Calvados.