Paul Masson VS 750ML Pet

Paul Masson VS 750ML Pet is a California grape brandy bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a lightweight 750ml PET plastic bottle. Scoring 89 points from Wine Enthusiast reviewer Kara Newman in December 2011, this expression stands out among value-tier American brandies for its minimum three-year oak aging — one year longer than the standard VS requirement.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof)  |  Origin: Central California, USA  |  Aged minimum 3 years in oak  |  Bottled: Bardstown, KY (Sazerac Company)

Production & Heritage

Paul Masson traces its name to a Burgundy-born winemaker who established his California estate in the late 19th century; the brandy brand is now owned by the Sazerac Company of Louisville, Kentucky. Grapes are sourced from select Central California vineyards, then distilled using traditional copper pot stills with precise temperature controls to retain fruit character. The spirit matures for a minimum of three years in oak barrels at the historic Tom Moore distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky — the same facility where Sazerac produces several of its bourbon labels — before blending and bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Vanilla leads, followed by honeyed pear, soft chocolate, and a faint hazelnut warmth. The nose is gentle rather than assertive, with light oak underneath the fruit sweetness.

Taste: The entry is surprisingly flavorful for its price tier, opening with ripe pear and caramel before building into vanilla custard and dried fruit at mid-palate. Oak spice, a touch of ginger, and a balanced honey sweetness emerge as the brandy develops across the tongue.

Finish: Warm and silky, with lingering vanilla and light tannins that taper into gentle sweetness. Medium in length, it leaves behind a clean, slightly oaky trail without any harshness.

How to Drink Paul Masson VS

At 80 proof, Paul Masson VS drinks comfortably neat at room temperature, where the caramel and dried-fruit notes come through most clearly. A single ice cube opens the vanilla aromatics further without diluting the body. Three cocktails where this brandy earns its keep:

• Brandy Sidecar — the caramel sweetness balances Cointreau and fresh lemon without requiring extra sugar.
• Brandy Old Fashioned — dried-fruit and oak-spice notes complement Angostura bitters and a sugar cube cleanly.
• Brandy Alexander — the soft chocolate and vanilla character blends naturally with crème de cacao and cream.

Best For

• Everyday sipping brandy without breaking the budget
• Stocking a home bar for classic brandy cocktails
• Portable outdoor occasions where glass bottles are impractical (PET bottle)
• Introducing new brandy drinkers to the category through a smooth, approachable expression

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Paul Masson VS taste like? Paul Masson VS leads with caramel and vanilla, followed by dried fruit, honeyed pear, and gentle oak spice, finishing warm and silky with lingering sweetness.

How does Paul Masson VS compare to E&J VS Brandy? Both are popular value-tier American grape brandies at 80 proof, but Paul Masson VS is aged a minimum of three years — one year longer than the VS minimum — contributing additional oak complexity and a smoother texture. E&J VS typically sits at a lower price point, making it lighter-bodied and more neutral on the palate by comparison.

Is Paul Masson VS good for sipping neat? Yes — Wine Enthusiast specifically described it as "sweet, silky and sippable" when awarding it 89 points, and the three-year aging smooths out rougher edges common in entry-level brandies.

Where is Paul Masson VS made? The grapes are grown and distilled in Central California, then the spirit is shipped to the Tom Moore distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, where it is aged in oak barrels, blended, and bottled under the Sazerac Company.

What foods pair well with Paul Masson VS? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the cocoa and vanilla aromas. Baked pear or apple desserts mirror the fruit notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère contrasts the caramel sweetness. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, honeyed character. Charcuterie with dried figs and almonds complements the dried-fruit finish.

What sizes does Paul Masson VS come in? Paul Masson VS is widely available in 200ml, 375ml, 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L formats; this listing is the 750ml PET (plastic) bottle.

Is Paul Masson VS worth the price? Paul Masson VS positions as a mid-value American brandy — priced above the most basic tier yet still accessible for daily use. The three-year minimum aging, copper-pot distillation, and 89-point Wine Enthusiast score deliver notable quality relative to its segment.

Why Paul Masson VS?

The extra year of oak maturation beyond the VS minimum is the most meaningful differentiator here; it gives the brandy a rounder, more layered profile than many competitors at similar or lower price points. Copper pot-still distillation — rather than continuous-column distillation alone — preserves more of the grape's natural fruit and floral character, contributing to the pear and chocolate notes critics have highlighted. The 89-point Wine Enthusiast rating remains one of the stronger scores for any American brandy in this value tier. For a versatile, everyday brandy that works neat, on ice, or in classic cocktails, Paul Masson VS consistently over-delivers for its category.