Have you ever wondered what the best brandy in the world tastes like? If you have (or even if you haven't!), you can now find out by drinking Jamie I by Bodegas Torres as it has recently been declared 'Best Brandy In The World' at the World Drinks Awards 2015 held in London in March. The awards have been going since 2007 and the judges are all esteemed individuals involved in the drink and food industry. The brandy category is split into two awards; one for the best designed packaging and one for the best tasting spirit. You'll be pleased to know that the Jamie I won the latter title as, after all, you can't drink the bottle! This brandy has also seen success across the Atlantic at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition by winning a double gold for the 'Best Spanish Brandy' category; this is the highest accolade available as it means that the judges made a unanimous decision as to who the winner should be. That's not too shabby considering the volume and quality of the other competitors' entries. The Torres surname has been related to brandy for more than three centuries, when the family planted the first vines in the Penedès. Since it was founded in 1870, Bodegas Torres has managed to combine tradition and innovation with the aim of leading the premium quality wine and brandy sector, always producing with the utmost respect for the environment. This family tradition has been scrupulously respected down through the centuries and the company has been passed down from father to son. Torres owns 2432 hectares of vineyards – 2000 of which are in Spain, 400 in Chile, 32 in California. Torres employs more than 1300 people and Torres wines can be found in more than 150 countries. Jaime I is a homage to the work of Gaudí and to the founder of the winery, Don Jaime Torres, for his innovative spirit and enthusiasm for good craftsmanship. After a double distillation in a copper still following the traditional Charentais method, the brandy is aged using the solera system that is sometimes used to age rums like Atlantico and Ron Zacapa. The brandy is rich and tasty with sweet raisin molasses and added spices. Vanilla, caramel and a great deal of oak dominate on the finish along with raisin.