By South African Wines
For over a century, this deep amber fortified wine has been keeping South Africans warm through winter nights. Here's why 'OB's' deserves a place in your drinks cabinet.
When the first winter chill hits the Cape, South Africans reach for something that's been keeping them warm since 1916: Sedgwick's Old Brown Sherry. Known affectionately as "OB's", this isn't your typical Spanish sherry. It's something uniquely South African — a sweet, fortified wine that tastes like liquid toffee and feels like a hug in a glass.
Unlike traditional sherry made from white Palomino grapes, Old Brown gets its distinctive mahogany colour from a blend that includes red varietals. At 17.5% alcohol, it's stronger than table wine but smoother than spirits, hitting that perfect sweet spot for sipping by the fire or adding richness to your Sunday roast.
The story begins in Wellington, Western Cape, where Captain James Sedgwick founded his distillery in 1850. The Old Brown Sherry followed in 1916, quickly becoming the people's choice for winter warmth. While other fortified wines came and went, Old Brown endured because it did something simple brilliantly: it made cold nights bearable and good times better.
This is working-class luxury — a bottle that costs less than a decent Bordeaux but delivers comfort you can't put a price on. In fishing villages along the coast and mountain towns in the interior, Old Brown has been the same reliable companion for four generations.
Pour Old Brown into a glass and you'll see that rich amber-to-mahogany colour immediately. The nose brings dried fruit — think raisins and prunes — alongside caramel and a whisper of warming spice.
The first sip delivers layers of brown sugar and molasses, with hints of toffee and dark chocolate. It's sweet, yes, but the fortification adds a gentle heat that prevents it from being cloying. The finish lingers with nuts and sweet spices, warming you from the inside out.
This isn't a wine for analysis — it's a wine for feeling. Think of it as South Africa's answer to a good whisky: something that immediately relaxes your shoulders and makes the world feel more manageable.
Neat or on ice remains the classic approach. Many South Africans warm it gently on cold nights, which intensifies the warming spices and makes it feel like liquid comfort food.
In cocktails, Old Brown brings instant depth. Try an OB's Hot Toddy: a measure of Old Brown with hot water, honey, cinnamon, and lemon — perfect for British winter evenings when central heating just isn't enough.
For something lighter, mix it with citrus juice over crushed ice. The sweetness balances beautifully with sharp lemon or lime.
South African kitchens have used Old Brown in cooking for decades. Add a splash to beef stews or lamb casseroles — the sweetness caramelises beautifully and adds complexity to hearty winter dishes.
It makes an excellent glaze for ham or beef, where the wine's richness complements the meat's saltiness. For puddings, try drizzling it over vanilla ice cream or incorporating it into sticky toffee pudding for extra indulgence.
Old Brown offers something you won't find on British shelves: a glimpse into South African comfort culture. While Spanish sherry can feel formal and Madeira expensive, Old Brown is unpretentious warmth in a bottle.
For expat South Africans missing home, it's liquid nostalgia — the taste of winter braai fires and family gatherings. For curious British drinkers, it's an affordable way to explore fortified wines beyond the usual suspects.
At under £15 a bottle, you can experiment without commitment. Buy one for winter entertaining or cooking, and you'll likely find yourself reaching for it on any evening when the world feels a bit too cold.
Sedgwick's Old Brown Sherry isn't trying to compete with vintage port or aged sherry. It's doing something different: providing reliable comfort at an accessible price. In a world of complicated wines with complicated stories, Old Brown keeps it simple — warmth, sweetness, and the kind of satisfaction that makes you pour another glass.
Whether you're sending it as a gift to someone missing South Africa or discovering it for yourself on a cold February evening, Old Brown delivers exactly what it promises: a little South African sunshine when you need it most.
Your bag is empty
Add some wines to get started