Southern California Entrepreneur Breathes New Life Into Old-world Spirits Category, Wins Customers, Accolades

A finely crafted Spanish Brandy takes the spirits industry by storm during a time of unexpected success. End Quote

San Diego, CA (1888PressRelease) April 14, 2011 - When Lou Manso, president and founder of Manso & Sons Imports Inc. and creator of it's Manso & Contreras Brandy decided to create, market and distribute a premium $70/bottle Spanish brandy in mid 2009 during one of the worst recessions in recent history, many thought his timing was dubious. While the brand is still relatively young, the San Diego entrepreneur's hunch of filling the market void with a finely crafted, small batch, dark brandy from Jerez, Spain has already exceeded expectations. First introduced to nearly 50 select spirits shops in California in mid 2009, the brand received positive reviews and a good reception for its unparalleled flavor profile and smooth drinkability.

In-the-know enthusiasts began clamoring to get their hands on this rare gem from coast to coast and, like any elite luxury creation, it's worth the chase. Because of its exceptional quality and distinct brand identity, Manso & Contreras is garnering some notable attention from purists and critics alike, who are now able to find this exceptional product in nearly all-fine liquor stores and select gourmet grocery stores throughout California.

The award-winning brand is the glorious result of Mr. Manso's personal passion for the Spanish region's centuries-old flavors and techniques. Manso & Contreras is perfectly poised to redefine and elevate this under-the-radar, old-world spirits category. The brand is now sold through approximately 150 stores in California.

An ardent spirits connoisseur and the brand's foremost ambassador, Manso developed the ultra-premium brand after realizing that many Americans had not yet been enlightened to a truly fine-crafted Spanish brandy. His passion to personally develop, introduce, import and distribute a standout Spanish brandy to the U.S. market propelled Manso to create Manso & Contreras. Manso, a native Cuban and a local San Diego resident, decided that his labor of love was best kept close to home - much to the delight of California's growing community of fine spirits aficionados.

Manso's long-standing appreciation for Spanish brandy began in his early 20's when business travel took him to Spain. It was here that Manso "became very fond of Spanish brandy because of its great taste and smoothness." He spent years as an ardent ambassador of the category introducing it to friends and colleagues. He would often ask the restaurants he frequented to carry the category and many did and still do.

Crafted with the same meticulous standards exacted upon prestigious aged liquors, Manso's brandy is of the oldest of the denomination's types: Brandy de Jerez, Solera Gran Reserva, which is barrel aged for an average of 8 years or more. Every Brandy de Jerez is a registered appellation controlled by the Consejo Regulador del Brandy de Jerez (the Brandy de Jerez Regulatory Council) and all must adhere to specific rules of distillation, much like Cognac and Armagnac. Jerez Brandy is only produced within strict regional boundaries and aged in American oak casks that previously contained sherry. These barrels are the essence of Spanish brandy - they impart a distinct flavor, texture, and aroma. The traditional spirit base, which is used to create Manso & Contreras, is the Airén grape. The combination of this particularly subtle grape base and the distinct character of the barrels create an unequivocal flavor profile, which is what makes the Spanish brandy category so uniquely smooth, drinkable and enticing. Manso & Contreras takes things a step further…

After extensively researching the distillers of the area, Manso decided to work with Sánchez Romate Hermanos, one of the most respected and well-known distillers of premium brandy in Spain. Manso based his decision to work with this distiller on several factors: the quality of their brandy, the modern facilities, and the distiller's willingness to truly partner and develop a brandy that met Manso's high standards and expectations. He took a hands-on approach to refining the production process, worked closely for months with the Master Blender to select the definitive blend for Manso & Contreras and personally designed the distinctive brand packaging through his advertising agency. (Manso also owns a San Diego based advertising agency.) The result is a luxury spirit with an incomparable level of quality that is a true standout, elevating the category and appealing to the savvy ultra-premium spirits consumer's discerning palate.

Manso & Contreras is similar in taste to a French brandy - revealing the unmistakable flavors of a fine wine that has been aged. It is coffee-colored with a terrific aroma, a flavor profile that is round and warm on the palate, and has a smooth, superb finish. It is gently sweet, toasty and rich and reveals a symphony of flavors such as caramel, oak, and fruit with a hint of spice. For the purist, it is best enjoyed after a great meal. For the mixology enthusiast, it plays well in fine and decadent cocktails offering a new tool to re-create the classics.

Manso & Contreras, Brandy de Jerez, Solera Gran Reserva was a recent Silver Medal Winner at the prestigious 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Manso & Contreras® ($70, 750 ml, 40 percent alcohol) is exclusively available in fine liquor and food stores throughout California. Visit www.MansoandContreras.com for a complete list of vendors and more information.

Press Contacts:

Bay Bird Inc PR
Peyton Robertson
Natalie Sellers
peyton ( @ ) baybirdinc dot com
natalie ( @ ) baybirdinc dot com
T - 858.382.4922 T - 917.657.1264

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