Fundador is probably the most iconic brand of sherry brandy, produced by the legendary Pedro Domecq. Its name means founder and this is well chosen because in 1874 it was the first brand ever to be marketed as Brandy de Jerez. Obviously there is written evidence of distillation in Spain in the 16th century (with the first tax imposed in 1580) – the art of distillation itself was introduced in Andalusia in the 8th century, then probably only for medicinal purposes.