Brandy used to distill brandy: A cucurbit was filled half full of the liquor from which brandy was to be drawn and then raised with a little fire until about one-sixth part was distilled, or until that which falls into the receiver was entirely flammable. This liquor, distilled only once, was called "spirit of wine" or "brandy". Purified by another distillation (or several more), this was then called "spirit of wine rectified". The second distillation was made in "balneo mariae" and in a glass cucurbit, and the liquor was distilled to about one half the quantity. This was further rectified as
Brandy snaps soft. The whipped cream can be sweetened with brandy or vanilla. However, the name "brandy snap" has no reference to brandy, the spirit. Brandy snaps are referred to in a recipe as early as 1802. An early Victorian etymology was as follows: BRANDY-SNAPS, a small cake of gingerbread. Probably "brand"-schnap, from being burnt, not for the real or supposed presence of brandy. "Brandy Snap" is a popular sweet snack sold at the Annual Hull Fair every October. The product sold at Hull Fair has traditionally been made by Wright and Co at its Bridge End Works in Brighouse, West Yorkshire.