I can taste (the) brandy in this cake.

[YAMATO2201]

1) I can taste the brandy in this cake.
2) I can taste brandy in this cake.
Which is correct?

 

[GoesStation]

They are both correct.

 

[emsr2d2]

In the first, the suggestion is that you know that the baker added some brandy to the cake during/after the cooking process. In the second, you are simply saying that you have detected the taste of brandy in it. They would be used differently depending on context.

Jane: What do you think of the cake?
Sarah: It's delicious.
Jane: Can you taste the brandy?
Sarah: Oh, yes, definitely. I can taste the brandy.

Jane: What do you think of the cake?
Sarah: It's delicious.
Jane: What can you taste?
Sarah: I can taste brandy and raspberries.

 

[Skrej]

I'm personally more likely to use the first when the given flavor is rather strong or pronounced.

 

[YAMATO2201]

I'm personally more likely to use the first when the given flavor is rather strong or pronounced.

How would you pronounce "the" in that case? In its strong form?

(Sorry. I don't know how to type IPA phonetic symbols in a post.)

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't do phonetic symbols either but it would be the relatively short "thuh", not "thee", in both instances in the sentence you quoted.