Imported Brandy has its origins from the distillation in 1250. A Frenchman, Arnaud de Villeneuve, wrote in praise of brandy's medicinal powers. The spirit's appearance as a European trade item in the late sixteenth century is thought to be the result of several factors, it survived rough sea voyages better than wine and took up less storage space.
The importer could always dilute it with water at his end. When the War of the Spanish Succession prevented brandy makers from shipping their casks of newly distilled liquor until peace was reached in 1714, they discovered that age markedly improved it, and Johnson's heroic age began.' Claret is the liquor for boys, port for men, but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.., Samuel Johnson.