In India, especially as you travel South towards Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, or during the harsh winters of the North, Brandy is not just a spirit. 

It is an emotion. It is the designated Winter Jacket for the soul, a trusted companion for late-night conversations, and the undisputed Dadi Maa approved medicine for a stubborn cough and cold.

For the longest time, if you walked into a liquor store with a ₹1000 note and asked for a good, reliable brandy, the shopkeeper would hand you a bottle of Mansion House without even asking. 

It has been the undisputed king, the default setting, the benchmark for Indian Made Foreign Liquor brandy.

But the liquor shelves are changing in 2026. A new challenger has aggressively entered the chat, promising premium XO quality at a budget price, 1848 Brandy by Radico Khaitan.

Suddenly, the loyalists are confused. The internet is buzzing with the ultimate debate: Mansion House vs 1848. 

Is the new kid on the block actually smoother? Does it give a better high? Which one leaves you with a clearer head the morning after?

We will break down the Mansion House vs 1848 brandy review, comparing the taste, the hangover risk, the alcohol percentage, and the all-important 2026 statewise price table.

Grab a glass, pour a little warm water, and let’s dive in.

The Contenders: A Quick Background Check

Before we start sipping, it is crucial to know what exactly you are pouring into your glass.

The Reigning Champion: Mansion House French Brandy

Manufactured by Tilaknagar Industries, Mansion House is arguably the highest-selling premium brandy in India. It is legendary in South India.

• The Vibe: Classic, reliable, and slightly old-school. It is the brandy your father probably drinks.
  
  
• The Promise: A blend of the finest French grape spirits, offering a warm, sweet, and comforting profile.

The Premium Challenger: 1848 XO Brandy

Launched by Radico Khaitan, 1848 is designed to disrupt the market.

• The Vibe: Modern, ambitious, and premium. The Extra Old tag on the bottle makes it look like it belongs in a much higher price bracket.
  
  
• The Promise: A smoother, more refined blend that claims to offer a luxury drinking experience on a budget.

Mansion House vs 1848 Brandy Alcohol Percentage

When it comes to the kick, Indian drinkers do not like to compromise. Both of these bottles respect the standard Indian liquor laws.

• Mansion House Alcohol Percentage: 42.8% ABV
  
  
• 1848 Brandy Alcohol Percentage: 42.8% ABV 

It is a dead tie. Both spirits pack the exact same amount of alcohol per peg. 

However, how that alcohol feels when it goes down your throat is a completely different story, which brings us to the most important part of this review: the taste.

The Taste Test: 1848 Brandy vs Mansion House Taste

You don't drink brandy to get drunk fast; you drink it to feel a slow, comforting warmth. To judge this fairly, I tasted both neat, and then with a splash of warm water.

1. Mansion House Taste Profile

• The Nose (Aroma): It hits you with a strong, fruity sweetness. You can definitely smell the grapes, along with a heavy dose of caramel and oak. There is a slight alcoholic sting to the nose if you inhale too deeply.
  
  
• The Palate (Taste): It is unapologetically sweet and robust. It coats your tongue with flavors of honey, raisins, and vanilla.
  
  
• The Finish: It leaves a strong, fiery warmth in your chest. This is why people love it for a cold, it feels like a warm blanket. However, it can feel a bit "harsh" if you are not used to drinking neat spirits.

2. 1848 XO Brandy Taste Profile

• The Nose (Aroma): Much softer and more complex. Instead of just sweet caramel, you get hints of dried apricots, subtle spices, and a very mellow woody scent. There is almost zero alcohol burn on the nose.
  
  
• The Palate (Taste): This is where 1848 shines. It is significantly smoother than Mansion House. The sweetness is more balanced, not syrupy. You taste roasted nuts, dark fruit, and a hint of butterscotch.
  
  
• The Finish: Clean, velvety, and long. It goes down effortlessly without that aggressive fiery kick.

The Winner for Taste?

If you like your drink strong, sweet, and with a noticeable bite, stick to Mansion House.

If you prefer a refined, smooth spirit that tastes like it should cost ₹2000, 1848 Brandy is the clear winner.

Mansion House vs 1848 Brandy Hangover

This is the ultimate test for the working professional. You have three large pegs on a Sunday night; can you still make it to your 10 AM Monday meeting without feeling like a truck hit you?

The dreaded brandy hangover is usually caused by two things, Congeners (impurities from the fermentation/aging process) and Sugar (added for caramel coloring and sweetness).

• Mansion House: Because it leans heavily on a sweeter, richer profile, it can be slightly heavier on the head.
  
  If you finish half a bottle by yourself, you will wake up with a sluggish, dehydrated feeling and a mild throbbing in your temples.
  
  
• 1848 XO: Radico Khaitan has done an excellent job with the blending and filtration here.
  
  Because the flavor profile is drier and smoother, it feels cleaner on the system. In our tests, the hangover risk with 1848 was noticeably lower compared to Mansion House.

1848 Brandy wins. It is a cleaner spirit that respects your morning alarms. 

Also read: Mansion House Brandy: India’s Best-Selling Premium Brandy Explained

Mansion House vs 1848 Brandy Statewise Price Table (2026)

Taste and smoothness are great, but in India, the price tag is the ultimate deciding factor. 

Both of these brandies sit comfortably in the Premium Budget segment, but the prices vary wildly depending on state taxes.

Here is the updated Mansion House vs 1848 statewise price table for a standard 750ml Full Bottle in 2026.

(Note: Liquor prices fluctuate based on local vendor margins and updated state excise duties. These are highly accurate estimates for early 2026).

How to Drink 1848 Brandy Like a Pro: Mixing Guide

You have chosen your bottle. Now, how do you serve it to get the best experience? Brandy is delicate; do not ruin it by drowning it in ice-cold Limca or Thumbs Up.

1. The Cold Remedy

• Best For: Winter nights, sore throats, or a blocked nose.
  
  
• The Recipe: 60ml of Brandy + 1 cup of hot water + 1 spoon of honey + a squeeze of fresh lemon + 1 clove.
  
  
• Mansion House is actually better for this! Its sweet, robust flavor pushes through the hot water and spices beautifully.

2. The Gentleman’s Sip 

• Best For: Appreciating the actual flavor of the liquor.
  
  
• The Recipe: 60 ml of Brandy + 20 ml of lukewarm water. (No ice. Ice kills the aroma of brandy).
  
  
• Which to use? 1848 Brandy is the undisputed champion here. The warm water opens up its complex XO notes of dried fruit and vanilla perfectly.

3. The Summer Cooler

• Best For: When you want brandy but the weather is 35°C outside.
  
  
• The Recipe: 60ml of Brandy + Top up with Ginger Ale + Lots of Ice.
  
  
• Which to use? Either one works, but 1848’s smoothness blends very well with the spicy kick of Ginger Ale.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy in 2026?

After comparing the prices, tasting the blends, and surviving the mornings after, the conclusion of our Mansion House vs 1848 brandy review is clear, but it depends on what kind of drinker you are.

Stick with Mansion House if:

1. You love a sweet, heavy, and very traditional brandy flavor.
   
   
2. You are primarily buying it to mix with hot water for a cold or cough.
   
   
3. You want a drink that has a strong, fiery kick that lets you know you are drinking hard liquor.

Switch to 1848 Brandy if:

1. You prefer a smooth, refined, and velvety drinking experience without the throat burn.
   
   
2. You want to avoid heavy, sugar-induced hangovers the next morning.
   
   
3. You want the taste of a ₹2000 premium XO brandy (like Morpheus) but only have an ₹800 budget.