Antiqua 1935 Aguardente Velha, Reserva das Caves Alianca Miniature

Antiqua 1935 Aguardente Velha – Reserva das Caves Aliança Miniature...

Condition: Vintage. Collector’s piece.
Fill level: Upper shoulder, consistent with 1960s bottling.
Spirit still produced: No – vintage Portuguese brandy, now discontinued.
Category: Aguardente Vínica Velha (Portuguese brandy).
Distillery/Bottler: Vinícola dos Sangalhos S.A., Reserva das Caves Aliança.
Bottling series: Antiqua 1935 miniature.
Bottling Year: Likely 1960s (catalogued as c.1967).
Stated Age: Not stated.
Cask type: Aged in Portuguese oak casks (standard practice).
Strength: Approx. 40% Vol.
Size: 75 ml.
Colouring: Deep golden amber (no artificial colour reported).
Chill-filtered: Not stated.
Bottle code: Not available.
Country of Origin: Portugal.
Market: Domestic and export markets, vintage collector’s release.

Antiqua 1935 Aguardente Velha – Reserva das Caves Aliança in its miniature edition offers a rare snapshot of mid‑20th-century Portuguese brandy craftsmanship. Produced by Vinícola dos Sangalhos under the Caves Aliança emblem, this brandy reflects a period when local distillers matured grape-based spirits in oak barrels before packaging them for the domestic and European collector markets.

Tasting notes;
Appearance/Colour; Deep golden amber.
Nose; Rich aroma of dried fruit, toasted oak, gentle spice and classic brandy warmth.
Palate; Smooth, mellow texture delivering notes of figs, prune, caramelised sugar and subtle coffee.
Finish; Long and velvety, with lingering oak, dried fruit sweetness and a faint spice.

Distillery history:
Vinícola dos Sangalhos S.A., based in the Sangalhos region of Portugal, became a key winery and distillery under the Caves Aliança name—one of the country’s most historic cooperatives. The Aliança group was renowned for both wine and brandy production. In the 1970s, the brand continued to mature aguardente in local oak casks, creating Reserva-level spirits such as Antiqua. Aliança’s commitment to traditional methods placed them at the heart of Portugal’s mid-century spirit culture. While the brand no longer bottles under the Antiqua name, its Distillery legacy remains valued among collectors of vintage Portuguese spirits.

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