Argonaut Speculator Brandy
Argonaut Speculator Brandy is a 750mL California brandy bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV), blended from alembic pot-still and Coffey-still brandies aged 3 to 19 years in ex-bourbon and French Limousin oak barrels. It is the lighter, more floral blend in E. & J. Gallo's California brandy range. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: Alembic pot-still and Coffey-still brandies aged 3–19 years; older legs predominantly Coffey-distilled Chardonnay and French Colombard
- Grapes: California grapes including Chardonnay, French Colombard, Grenache, and Muscat
- Aging: Ex-bourbon and French Limousin oak barrels
- Origin: Sanger, California (Argonaut Distilling Company, for E. & J. Gallo)
A Bet on Stocks Laid Down Decades Ago
The Gold Rush argonauts were speculators, and so were the miners staking claims — betting a plot's gold was worth more than its price. Argonaut frames Speculator as a tribute to a former master distiller who laid down quality brandy stocks for decades with no specific program in mind; this blend, pulled from more than 100 lots, is the bet paying off. It pours lighter and more floral than its Fat Thumb sibling. See the full range on the Argonaut vendor page, or browse our brandy collection.
Tasting Notes
Per the brand: bright green apple, ripe pear, and apricot with stone fruit, honeysuckle, and orange blossom; nutmeg, clove, and chamomile over golden raisin, ripe banana, and pineapple.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a splash of water to lift the floral notes — and a natural for a Brandy Alexander. More brandies are in our brandy collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Argonaut Speculator?
It blends alembic and Coffey-still brandies aged 3 to 19 years, per the brand's blend sheet — the oldest legs were laid down nearly two decades ago.
What is the difference between Speculator and Fat Thumb?
Speculator is the lighter, more floral blend, built on older Coffey-distilled Chardonnay and Colombard legs; Fat Thumb leans richer, with a 9-year alembic brandy as its largest leg.
What proof is Argonaut Speculator?
86 proof (43% ABV) in the 750mL bottling.
Decades-old stocks, bottled on a hunch that paid off — order Argonaut Speculator online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.