As with wines, which brandy resembles, there is something of an art to judging this fine liquor. Nevertheless, also like art, there is a range of ability, and there is an element of personal taste. That last should be considered for a moment. Note that judging brandy is not entirely a matter of personal taste. There are some guidelines for what qualifies as good or bad, in brandy as there are in art in general.

Even if you have blissfully enjoyed wine for years without learning the vocabulary and tasting techniques boasted by oenophiles, you can very easily enhance your wine experience with a little knowledge. By learning the words associated with wine, you will be able to more accurately choose new wines that you will enjoy rather than haphazardly choosing things to try at random.