A Journey Through Time: The 1970s Gran Duque D'Alba Brandy Reserva A remarkable and highly collectible bottling of **Gran Duque D'Alba**, this Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez hails from a distinct period in the brand's storied history. This edition was produced under the stewardship of Zoilo Ruiz-Mateos, a name intrinsically linked to the renowned Williams & Humbert bodega in the 1970s. It represents a unique snapshot of one of Spain's most prestigious brandy houses.
The Gran Duque D'Alba brand itself was launched in 1945, named after the celebrated historical figure Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, the Great Duke of Alba. This particular vintage from the 1970s captures the essence of the era's production methods and the brand's established reputation for excellence.
Crafted in Jerez, the heartland of Spanish sherry and brandy production, this spirit is a testament to the traditional **Solera system**. The brandy is distilled from fine Palomino and Airén grapes and then aged in American oak casks that previously held distinguished Oloroso sherries. This maturation process imparts a deep complexity and a signature smoothness to the final spirit. While the standard Gran Duque d'Alba has an average age of 12 years, this vintage expression offers a unique profile shaped by its specific time in the cask.
Presented in its original gift box, this bottle is a collector's piece. The distinctive squat bottle, popular in that era, is adorned with a prominent red wax seal and a classic yellow label bearing the ducal portrait. The red capsule and neck ribbon complete the presentation, making it a visually striking artifact of Spanish brandy history. For enthusiasts and collectors, this 1970s bottling by Zoilo Ruiz-Mateos is a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of the rich heritage of Williams & Humbert and the legendary Gran Duque D'Alba.
Text on label:
Main Label (Yellow):
ZOILO RVIZ-MATEOS, S.A.
CASA FVNDADA EN 1857
BRANDY
GRAN DUQUE D[E ALBA] (The words 'DE ALBA' are arranged vertically around the portrait within the label design)
0.75 L.
XEREZ
ELABORADO
RESERVA
Red Wax Seal (on shoulder):
ZOILO RVÍZ-MATEOS S.A.
JEREZ
White Neck Strip Label:
TIMBRE FISCAL
IMPUESTOS SOBRE EL ALCOHOL
1 Peseta
Visual elements:
Neck/Cap: Red plastic ribbed cap. A small white strip label (tax band) is visible on the neck. A red ribbon is tied around the bottle's shoulder.
Shoulder: A circular red wax seal embossed with "ZOILO RVÍZ-MATEOS S.A." and "JEREZ" around an emblem (possibly a building or shield), securing the red ribbon.
Mid label: Yellow main label with an undulating top and wavy bottom edge. It features a prominent circular portrait of a bearded man in regal attire, framed by a gold crown at the top and small gold-edged red banners along the sides.
Box lid (interior): Gold-colored emblem featuring a stylized letter "C" or crescent moon shape, topped with a plumed helmet/crest, set within an ornate shield.
Font styles: A mix of serif (for company name, origin, some descriptive text), bold sans-serif (for "BRANDY"), and large, decorative serif (for "GRAN DUQUE"), with stylized vertical sans-serif for "DE ALBA". Text on the neck strip is sans-serif.
Fill level estimate:
well above shoulder into neck: very solid
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Max von Olfers
Max von Olfers is the founder of cabinet7, and has 10 years of experience with collector item appraisals. The oldest Cognac Max has consumed is from 1855.
Malte Lukowski
Malte Lukowski runs the operations & collector item departments at cabinet7, and has 4 years of experience with collector item appraisals. The oldest Cognac Malte has consumed is from 1920.
