Captain Apple Jack is labeled as “apple brandy” on the bottle. The BiB that I taste tested against it a few posts back is labeled apple brandy. The bottle you can see in the pictures included in that post were actually labeled “applejack” – all one word – and once I find more of them I’ll compare them as well.

I also have a bottle of the Laird’s 7 1/2 year old apple brandy.

Laird’s is the original source since the 18th century or before – and yes, they use basically apple brandy mixed with neutral spirits. But they still CALL it applejack – and bartenders, retailers, and distillers across the country consider it applejack. In fact, I’ve never seen any other brand sold, period.

Vermouth – with the exception of Dolin – isn’t made the same way it used to be, but it’s still considered vermouth. For better or worse, times and methods change. The company that for over 200 years has really defined the product defines it now as it’s made, and so – right now – it’s what it’s in that bottle.

IF someone else came out and made concentrated apple cider, they could call it applejack too – but no one makes that as far as I know. I’ve never seen any other product in the US – or heard of anyone else seeing one – that calls itself applejack on the market.

Lord knows I’d buy it if I did.

Also, in re: Hanukkah — potato latkes and sufganiot (fried jelly donuts). Brisket and chicken for protein.