Brana Distillery
The Ossès distillery is the historic heart of Maison Brana and the place where its spirits and liqueurs are created. Family expertise has been passed down there for generations, respecting traditional distillation methods. Fruits, plants, and spices are carefully selected to create elegant and emblematic products of the Basque Country.
The innovative tradition
The Brana distillery was born in 1974 when Etienne and Adrienne Brana began planting a William Pear orchard and building the distillery, which would see its range expand over the years with the creation of new eaux-de-vie, gins, whiskeys and liqueurs.
At the beginning, the distillery became known for the William Pear brandy of Etienne Brana, a passionate autodidact who had acquired the necessary knowledge in the art of distillation. Martine, daughter of Adrienne and Etienne, was able to perpetuate the ancestral tradition by innovating with a choice of spices, plants and bold fruits such as the Corsican citron or the Corsican clementine.
This expansion of the range was also made possible by the construction, in 2018, of a new, more efficient, modern and spacious production site located in Ossès.
A new distillery
In 2018, a new distillery was opened in Ossès. Designed in a contemporary, functional, spacious and welcoming spirit, it features a copper-coloured façade in perfect harmony with the still, the essential protagonist of the distillery.
Covering an area of 1500 m², this modern distillery houses three copper stills and vats, all compliant with the latest standards, in order to continue creating new products from distillation. A 200 m² space is dedicated to welcoming customers, where they can taste the House's spirits, liqueurs and wines, making this place a discovery of all Brana's know-how.
Exceptional sourcing, a controlled production process
Fruit selection is a very important step; it contributes significantly in the quality of the finished product. The selection criteria for raw materials are strict in order to use irreproachable fruits, plants, spices and cereals to obtain spirits that combine purity and elegance.
Maison Brana favours local supplies and those from surrounding regions in order to guarantee the freshness of the fruit. Sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation methods are encouraged. William pears and Ente plums are selected from the best hillsides. This ensures fruits with an intense flavour that gives their character to the brandy. In the same way, Corsican citrus fruits are sourced from the best producers who run their orchards using organic farming methods. The same requirement is applied to the selection of plants used in the Gins and the Txapa aperitif from the Basque and Auvergne mountains.
However, quality fruits are not enough to make a brandy excellent. Each stage of production is important. Fruits, plants and spices must be picked at their optimum ripeness and freshness to deliver all their best aromas. The secret of a quality brandy also lies in mastering the entire production process: it is important to master the fermentation phase for fruits, maceration for plants and spices, malting and brewing for Whisky. Then comes the distillation stage: the distiller must be patient, master the stills, and observe. His olfactory and taste abilities also come into play in order to best accompany the distillation and maturing of the brandies. Maturing in oak barrels for plum brandy and Whisky also requires precision and know-how.
A wide and varied range
Brana white spirits (William pear, raspberry, clementine and Corsican citron) all have a common denominator: they express the quintessence of the fruit, with a purity and freshness which, combined in shots with desserts, will enhance your chocolate fondant (with William pear or clementine eau-de-vie), your raspberry/pistachio tart (with raspberry eau-de-vie), your lemon roll (with citron eau-de-vie)...
As a digestive or for the composition of your cocktails, let your imagination run wild...
For gin lovers, two exclusive recipes have been developed by Martine: Gin au Piment d'Espelette, a recipe based on the gentle warmth of spices enhanced by Piment d'Espelette, a wonderful fresh spice. And Gin Citron Vert, designed to bring freshness thanks to the zesty notes of citrus fruits, particularly lime. Pure or diluted with a tonic, all the pleasure of juniper berries with their resinous notes.
Finally, the latest addition to the distillery: the Whisky Brana, 1st Basque Whisky brewed, distilled and aged in the Basque Country.
Come and taste our Brana spirits!
Whether you are an amateur or simply curious to learn more about Maison Brana, come and discover our spirits and Irouléguy wines during a tasting in our Brana boutique in Ossès, where you can explore the captivating flavors and aromas of our productions. Come visit us or make an appointment for a personalized tasting!
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Maison Brana, founded in 1897, is located in the heart of the Pays Basque. It is distinguished by the production of eaux-de-vie, liqueurs, gins, whiskeys and excellent wines. Tradition and innovation blend harmoniously in Brana products, faithful to their values for over a century.
Discover the Maison
For over a century, four generations have succeeded one another in the wine and spirits business at Maison Brana. Discover the history of these Basque wine distillers.
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Domaine Brana is nestled in the heart of the Irouléguy wine appellation, one of the smallest appellations in France. This atypical estate is home to a diversity of grape varieties that give Brana wines unique aromas characteristic of the region.
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