CR&F XO Cask Strength

Present in the memories of Portuguese families, Carvalho, Ribeiro & Ferreira (CR&F) is an integral part of Portuguese culture. Across generations, it has been synonymous with celebration, tradition, and excellence.

In 2025, we celebrate 130 years of history with a unique edition that pays tribute to the knowledge, mastery, and patience that have defined CR&F since1895.

On one of our journeys in search of the most extraordinary brandies, our winemakers discovered a true treasure: a brandy carefully reserved since 1980, waiting for the right moment to be revealed. And thus was born CR&F XO Cask Strength – an exceptional brandy, pure and bottled directly from the cask in its most authentic form.

With a design that simultaneously reflects reverence for the past and confidence in the future, this Single Barrel brandy (from a single cask) embodies the richness and significance of the CR&F legacy. It unites tradition and modernity, highlighting a special batch – that of 1980, a landmark year when the house began releasing special editions.

Limited to only 365 numbered bottles, CR&F XO Cask Strength is a collector’s piece, a true celebration of time, memory, and mastery.

Over 130 years, CR&F has been built by the people who, with dedication and mastery, have shaped the soul of this brand. This year, we celebrate not only the time that has passed, but everything that has endured.

Tasting Notes

Color
Amber-golden with greenish hues.

Nose
Hints of sea breeze, bitter almond, saline depth with iodine notes and salted caramel.

Palate
Iodized, with a pronounced salted caramel flavor. Long and persistente finish, perfectly balanced and well-integrated oak.

Vinhos Verdes wine region

Originating from one of Portugal’s most prestigious wine regions — Vinhos Verdes — this brandy embodies 130 years of expertise and 45 years of perseverance, reflecting the brand’s pioneering spirit. The Vinhos Verdes region is renowned for its diversity of grape varieties and its cool, humid Atlantic climate, which, together with its granitic soils, imparts high acidity and delicate aromatic profiles. The superior quality of CR&F XO Cask Strength is ensured through traditional distillation methods.

Packaging

This remarkable edition celebrates the very soul of the brand: the wax seal and cord featured in the booklet, the founders’ signatures, and the historic logo on the decanter — highlighting the dragon, a symbol of CR&F’s strength and tradition.

Crystal decanter

Gold-screen-printed bottle with sandblasted engraving. Service bartop stopper with a brass medallion on the top.

Booklet

With iconic elements – wax seal and cords.

Exclusivity

Those privileged to acquire it are also entrusted with a part of the very cask that aged this batch, transformed into an individually numbered piece and incorporated into the packaging — a testament to the brand’s deep respect for the art of distillation.

Case

Solid wood case with a leather cover – featuring gold stamping and embossing. Satin ribbon for opening.