Laird's Old Apple Brandy 7.5 Yr
Laird's Old Apple Brandy 7.5 Yr is the distillery's middle-age statement — 80 proof (40% ABV), aged 7½ years in charred oak barrels, 750mL. First introduced by the Laird family in 1964 to commemorate New Jersey's 300th anniversary, it is a barrel-select brandy: only chosen barrels make the cut after the family's tasting. It carries a 92-point Wine Enthusiast rating. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 7½ years in charred oak barrels; barrel-select (only chosen barrels bottled)
- Debut: 1964, for New Jersey's tercentenary
- Origin: Scobeyville, New Jersey; distilling since 1780
- Rating: 92 Wine Enthusiast ("Best Buy" per brand sell sheet)
A 1964 Commemorative That Never Left
New Jersey turned 300 in 1964, and the Laird family marked the occasion the way only America's oldest licensed distillery could: with a special 7½-year-old apple brandy. Six decades later it is still in the lineup, and still made the hard way — after 7½ years in charred oak, the family tastes barrel by barrel and selects only the finest for this exclusive bottling. The result sits between the 4-year bonded flagship and the 12-year Rare: more mellow than the former, more approachable than the latter. See more American brandy and the complete Laird's lineup.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of baked apples and cedar. The palate shows apple and pear over wood — the oak present but polite — with a smooth, rounded texture at 80 proof. The finish is gentle and fruity, made for easy sipping.
How to Enjoy
The distillery suggests it neat in a brandy snifter or in classic cocktails — at 80 proof it mixes beautifully without disappearing. Try it in an Applejack Sour or a simple brandy-and-ginger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 7.5 Yr mean on Laird's Old Apple Brandy?
It means the brandy rested 7½ years in charred oak barrels before bottling — the official style is "7 ½ Year Old Apple Brandy."
Why was Laird's Old Apple Brandy created?
The Laird family introduced it in 1964 to commemorate New Jersey's 300th anniversary (tercentenary), and it has remained in the lineup ever since.
Is Laird's 7.5 Year a good sipping brandy?
Yes — at 80 proof with 7½ years of oak, Wine Enthusiast gave it 92 points and the brand's sell sheet calls it a "Best Buy," noting it neatly balances fruit and spice.
Sixty years of tradition in one bottle — order Laird's Old Apple Brandy 7.5 Yr online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.