Ciroc VS French Brandy
Ciroc VS French Brandy is a 1L bottling of fine French brandy at 40% ABV (80 proof) — produced in the south of France from fine French grapes, with a selection of each harvest distilled in traditional alembic copper pot stills, matured in French oak barrels, and then blended with other aged brandies. Launched in June 2018, it was Ciroc's first move beyond vodka into brandy, created by the brand's master distiller, Jean-Sebastien Robicquet. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 1L (this listing's bottling; a 750mL bottling also exists)
- Style: VS French Brandy — not Cognac
- Origin: South of France, from French grapes
- Production: Alembic copper pot still distillation, matured in French oak, blended with other aged brandies
- Launch: June 2018 — Diageo's entry into the brandy category with Ciroc
The Vodka House Tries Brandy
Ciroc built its name on grape-based vodka from France; in June 2018, Diageo took the brand into a new category entirely, launching Ciroc VS as its entry into the brandy market's brown-spirits resurgence, in partnership with Sean Combs and initially across select US cities. The making follows classic French brandy craft: fine French grapes from the south of France, a selection of each harvest run through traditional alembic copper pot stills, maturation in French oak, and a final blend with other aged brandies. Behind it stands Jean-Sebastien Robicquet, the brand's creator, who came from a Bordeaux-region wine family and a background at a major cognac house before building Ciroc — a brandy was, in a sense, a homecoming. Browse the house on the Ciroc vendor page and more French spirits in our spirits collection.
Tasting Notes
Per Diageo's launch description: rich notes of fresh fruit and vanilla, with a hint of French oak. Longer note lists circulating at retail (caramel, stone fruit, spice) are retailer-authored rather than official, and are not presented here as the brand's notes.
How to Enjoy
Neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails — the three serves Diageo itself recommended at launch; the fruit-and-vanilla profile makes it a natural Sidecar or brandy highball base. More brandy and Cognac are in our spirits collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ciroc VS a Cognac?
No — it is a French Brandy. It is made in France from French grapes by classic brandy methods, but it is not produced in the Cognac region under Cognac rules, and it is labelled and sold as French Brandy.
What does VS mean on Ciroc VS?
"Very Special" — the standard brandy grade, which by convention means the youngest brandy in the blend has spent at least about two years in cask. Ciroc does not publish a specific age statement for this bottle, so treat VS as the grade, not an age claim.
What strength is Ciroc VS?
40% ABV (80 proof). The 35% figure sometimes attached to Ciroc belongs to its flavoured vodkas, not to this brandy.
A French brandy with a vodka house's polish — order Ciroc VS French Brandy online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
