Germain-Robin Alambic produces hand-distilled brandies and bourbons under the Anno Domini, Select Barrel XO, Shareholders Reserve, and Grappa labels. Germain-Robin products, said to rival the great French brandies (called cognac), are distilled from premium wine grapes such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Viognier (grappa is made from apples). Germain-Robin was founded by Ansley Coale and Hubert Germain-Robin who, according to company legend, set out to make brandy using an antique still found in an abandoned cognac distillery.