Review: “B&B” Brandy & Benedictine
When I was a kid my dad had THE coolest bottle of booze on the planet. Actually it was two bottles, fused into a single decanter: Benedictine on one side, B&B (a blend of brandy and Benedictine) on the other, each with its own spout.
Coolest thing on earth to look at, but not once did I ever see it used.
Benedictine (technically “Bénédictine”) is an herbal liqueur composed of 27 plants and spices and brewed up by monks on and off since 1510; it’s bittersweet a lot like a typical amaro liqueur (like, say, Averna). Many likely find it not easy to drink on its own (though it’s used in tons of cocktail recipes), so they mixed it with cognac to create B&B.
The bottled version of B&B is arguably the world’s first pre-mixed cocktail, dating back to the 1930s. While both renditions are currently 80 proof (they were 86 proof until 1978), B&B is darker in color and somewhat less sweet, making it a bit more easygoing than straight Benedictine and easier to consume at room temperature, though both are quite a bit better served on the rocks. All told, B&B offers interesting citrus notes, with some vanilla, wood, and lots of complicated herbs here. Not at all bad as a digestif.
But frankly you can do better than B&B by taking straight Benedictine and mixing it half-and-half with your favorite cognac. I mixed Benedictine with Bache-Gabrielsen XO and there’s a lot more complexity here, and while I think the bitterness of the Benedictine ultimately detracts from the cognac’s more interesting characteristics, it’s really a personal preference issue of how you like your drink.
Bottom line: B&B is good, but you can probably improve on it with straight Benedictine and your favorite brandy without a whole lot more effort on your part.
80 proof.
B / $31 / benedictinedom.com
"B&B" Brandy & Benedictine
$31
I love B&B – it is a good “gateway” drink in my opinion because of its combination of dry and sweet. If I where training a friend to enjoy something like, say, scotch, and this person had never drank something dry before, I’d start them on B&B.
One note: you mention that it is easy to make your own B&B, and often the result will better than what you can buy off the shelf. I think you are right, but I’d caution that the quality of liquor you would need to mix with Benedictine might not make it worth it.
I’ve tried it before with some fairly fancy, ~$50 a bottle French brandy. Still, I though the bottled stuff was (much) better.
well for you first time getting drunk it tears you apart there was throwup everywhere dont remember a thing so on a scale of one to ten 8 very strong drink idk how i downed that drink like i did it was a great night though nearly got poisond from it
you talk about your dad who had the two bottles fused as one with both the brandys with dual spouts. .
I have one… it has never been opened… green on one side and brown on the other.. it is very cool…. would like to get a value on it….
B&B is great .. I have been drining it for many years…. After a few you tend to want to give back stuff you never even borrowed
I am looking for old B&B bottles. Please email me if anyone can hepl me.
If you are looking for B & B bottles from 60s t0 70s era, I have them. All boxed, please let me know. Email: [email protected]
Regards,
Eugene
I have a bottle of B and B from I have no idea when. It has a label which states, “SOLE AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – JULIUS WILE SONS AND CO. INC.” That tells me it is REALLY OLD. Any thoughts.
Thank you,
eaj
I love a nice B&B after a big meal. We sometimes go to a Brazilian steakhouse, and after gorging on meat, I always end the meal with a nice B&B
You get it! The special purpose.
I’ve got an old (empty) B&B Julius Wile and Sons Benedictine bottle. 86 proof, likely from the 60’s. Interested? Make an offer.
I have a Garnier four segment divided mini liquer bottle containing, from top, liquer d’or, creme de cacao triple sec and creme de menthe. It is unopened , about 10 inches high and encased in a yellow metal frame. Is it of any value and would you be interested in it? John Carter at [email protected].
i have that two compartment bottle of brandy and benidictine…. green on one side and amber on the other … still intact never opened.
anyone know where i can find a value for it.. i love b and b and
I have an old dual botlle (divided) ,le directeur,half is abbatie fiscanensis and the 2 nd is B&B Benedictine and Brandy.Interested ? call me 407-808-0350 Alex
I have a bottle of B&B from the mid 60s with the federal tax Sticker, Wile & Sons label and the original price tag. ($12.01) The bottle and lables are in excellent condition Anyone interested make an offer.
Oops forgot to leave address [email protected]
B&B is a favorite of my from way back. But I can no longer find it. Much longer, and I will have an empty bottle for you. The one I am nursing is over 10 years old (not a very old bottle, but a long time for one to live) solely because I cannot find more. Any leads would be appreciated.
B&B is pretty widely available, just do a web search on it. http://www.winechateau.com/sku1002230_B-&-B-D.O.M.-750ML , http://www.thewinestoreri.com/sku509.html Some states don’t allow alcohol to be shipped to them, so you’ll have to check if you live in one of those states. http://www.wineinstitute.org/initiatives/stateshippinglaws
I have an unopened 48 fl oz bottle of B&B in a serving rack that lets you rock the bottle forward to pour. My question: is it drinkable?
It dates back to late 1960s early 1970s.
Pat – it should, but there’s only one way to find out.
Ok I have a bottle of b&b Benedictine and the finest cognac it says on bottle
Any how my bottle looks different to the pic above
On mine I have a stamp saying
Product of France over the b&b label
Also where it says French spice liqueur and so on above pic
Mine doesn’t have that just says liqueur
Just wondering what the difference is with the two bottles
Thanks hope to get an anwer
you talk about your dad who had the two bottles fused as one with both the brandys with dual spouts. .
I have one… it has never been opened… green on one side and brown on the other.. it is very cool…. would like to get a value on it….
B&B is great .. I have been drining it for many years…. After a few you tend to want to give back stuff you never even borrowed
I have an old, unopened bottle of B and B that has the Wile & Sons label on it. I think it is from the 60’s or 70’s…if anyone can help me place a value on it, or if anyone would like to buy it from me, please send me an email.
Very disappointed in New bottles of B&B, tastes very watery and not smooth at all, I have been drinking Dom B&B since the eighties and there is a difference, not happy with this new version….tastes like medicine… price has diffently gone up and poor taste quality, would like to hear if people feel the same way………..
Our absolute favorite… an ABSOLUTE MUST…
A B&B&B (Baily’s) on the rocks. Truly a wonderful taste!!!
I just bought a bottle and it is a bit on the bitter side compared to the last one I purchased a few years ago. (this stuff lasts me for a long long time as it should) But I still adore the taste in a warm brandy snifter.. great after dinner drink. Just do yourself a favor and do NOT get drunk off it. You WILL regret it! Otherwise, Lovely!
30 yrs ago met a gentleman named Nobby Noble while vacationing in the Seychelles. He introduced me to a half and half which was Drambuie with B&B. It’s becoming a local favorite in a small town in SE Georgia, called a Nobby Noble…
I live in Ohio and have been looking for this for quite a while now. All I can find is the B&B Benedictine. It’s good too, but not like B&B Liqueur. All the places I’ve gone said this is what they can get. Was curious to know if this is still available for purchase?
Candy – there is only one B&B, Brandy & Benedictine. There is also a straight Benedictine, with no brandy in it, but original B&B is widely available: http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/brandy+and+benedictine
Is benedictine available in Canada, or just the B&B mix?
Im the executor of my aunts estate. found a bunch of unopened whisky and B &b, porto hutcheson fine ruby port, jim beam 1987….etc. Looking to sell. Nothing older i think so far.
In the winter it is great served warm ;-)
I found a Bottle of B&B that has to be from before 1989. Julius Wile on the label. 80 proof. Unopened. Any ideas what it is worth? There are numerous unopened bottles of courvoisier from the same era. Lots of pre 1989 stuff actually. Where can I find the value of these bottles?
Not much, probably. You won’t find much collectible value until you hit the 1960s or earlier — but consult with a spirits auction house like Bonhams if you’re curious.
My dad always used it for hot toddies. It’s always done the trick for snuffing out a head cold!
I’m seeking qualified information. I have a 48 oz sealed bottle of B&B Liqueur Benedictine and Brandy DOM (as per label), 86 proof, with “Julius Wile Sons and Co. Inc. label above a round gold colored seal, mounted in a swivel rack( metal and wood) on which is a brass plate on which is “B&B Liquerur DOM 86 proof made in France and Julius Wile sons & Co.
This was “gifted” to me. I’d really enjoy opening and sampling but I can’t drink for health reasons, so my question is, obviously, “What’s it worth, how do I identify year bottled, and where/how do I sell it?”
Much obliged.
Fred
Hello,
I am looking for any sealed/unopened 86 proof/ 43% alc. bottles of Benedictine or B&B Liqueur and especially the “two compartment” bottle that features both liqueurs side by side.
I also am interested in 80 proof/ 40% alc. bottlings of IRISH MIST.
If you would like to sell, please contact me: [email protected]