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Best Rated Cognacs Serge Valentin
Serge Valentin's Cognac reviews
Serge Valentin's Cognac reviews
Serge Valentin needs no introduction, in the world of spirits at least. He is arguably the spirits world's most prominent and influential spirits commentator. His focus is on whisky but that does not stop him from carrying his same witty humor and demanding palate to other spirits, notably Cognac.
Every day of the week a batch of reviews are released. Sunday is the only day of the week to explore so-called malternatives - Cognac, Armagnac, and rum, to name a few.
Serge’s blog remains ‘low-tech, handcrafted, ad-free and without any cookies’. One cannot help but notice the humorous stamps “Uncertified 100% Low–Tech” and more recently “Guaranteed 100% AI Free” front and center on his blog. Joking aside, few people have tasted more spirits than Serge. And few people can offer meaningful comments on a wide variety of spirits in as consistent a manner as Serge. His reviews are seriously genuine and can provide valuable guidance, but refreshingly Serge refuses to take himself too seriously.
So we’ve gathered some of his recent Cognac reviews and are presenting them to you here. In certain cases, we have suggested alternative Cognacs where the originally reviewed Cognac is no longer in stock or otherwise when interesting alternatives exist.
Happy reading!
About Serge Valentin (just in case)
Serge Valentin is a leading authority in the world of spirits, he is particularly influential within the Whisky industry, however he also dabbles in reviewing a number of other spirits including Cognac.
Serge shares his thoughts on spirits on his long-running blog, which he first established in 2002 and which visually, looks almost identical today. His website has an almost anarchistic and yet endearing quality to it.
Unlike the vast majority of other blogs that have become globally popular (Serge’s blog receives a few million visits a year and has a few tens of thousands of very loyal readers), his platform remains ‘low-tech, handcrafted, ad-free and without any cookies’.
Valentin reviews all spirits in a strikingly honest, informal, and often amusing tone. It is clear once you have read a number of his reviews that Serge’s palate is a consistent one, and there are certain qualities to spirits that will earn it a higher score on his scale of 100. Indeed Serge warns the readers of his blog that what he writes about spirits is “not the gospel, but is based on personal experience and feelings, with no pretensions to be ‘the truth.” Nevertheless, his opinion is a highly regarded one and goes a long way in impacting both the sales and price of spirits.
About Serge Valentin (just in case)
Jean Fillioux 1964 Grande Champagne
Jean Fillioux 1964 Grande Champagne
Serge's review (89 points)
Just excellent.
Nose: ooh chocolate and mocha, butterscotch, stewed peaches and apricots, big black Corinth currants, fresh sweet fruits (pomegranates, prickly pears, grenadine), some awesome 'sulphur' (some fatness ala Mortlach), pollen and anything from a hive (just not the bees), then lighter floral notes, honeysuckle and wisteria perhaps, buttercups… This is very, very, and I mean very elegant. 1964, that was when the Rolling Sto… (oh come on, drop that S.!) Mouth: impeccable, if a tad chocolaty/oaky at first, then pretty 'oriental', with baklavas, fig rolls, angel hair, anything containing orange blossom water… You're right, panettone! It would then get a tad spicier, with a little more cinnamon and softer curry, a touch of turmeric and ginger too, then just big fat sultanas and dried figs. (...)
Growth Area: Grande Champagne
Cognac Age: 1964
ABV: 44%
Bottle Size: 70cl
Limited: Limited to 220 bottles only
The Jean Fillioux Vintage 1964 Grande Champagne is a truly exceptional cognac that reflects the artistry and dedication of several generations of the Fillioux family. Crafted exclusively from eaux-de-vie sourced from the Grande Champagne terroir, this vintage cognac is the result of decades of patient aging and meticulous blending. The cognac is aged first in casks, where it begins to take on its distinctive character and complexity, before being transferred to dame-jeanne for further refinement. Throughout the aging process, the eaux-de-vie are carefully monitored and tended to by the master blenders, ensuring that each bottle is a true masterpiece of the cognac art.
More about the Jean Fillioux 1964 Vintage Cognac.
Jean Fillioux 1964
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Vallein Tercinier Lot 30 Petite Champagne
Serge's review (89 points)
The nose was out of this world
Please cease all other activities, cancel all poisonous subscriptions (Netflix, Disney, Paramount and so on), forget about the new iPhone that's more useless than a tomato with wheels anyway (copyright Black Adder), cancel the Club Med in Marrakesh or Cancun, drop the Macs NAS, and buy twelve bottles of this with the money you just saved. (...)
Good, you may keep Cancun, the nose was out of this world but the palate's maybe a tad tired. I would suppose twelve bottles will be enough. But mind you, 1930, that's when Body and Soul came out. How appropriate.
Growth Area: Petite Champagne
Cognac Age: Lot 30
ABV: 40.6%
Bottle Size: 70cl
This exquisite Cognac has been patiently aged for decades in Limousin oak casks within Vallein Tercinier's cellars, before being carefully preserved in "Dames Jeanne" glass demijohns. Vallein Tercinier's master cellar master has hand-selected this Cognac for its finesse, complexity, perfect balance, unique aromatic palette, and above all, the unparalleled gustatory pleasure it provides.
More about the Vallein Tercinier Lot 30 Petite Champagne (new limited edition).
Vallein Tercinier Lot 30
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Prunier Cuvée N°1 Winston Churchill
Serge's review (91 points)
What a difference some 7 extra-% make!
This one is gloriously honeyed and floral, we're really nosing some kind of high-class meadows honey. I just adore this. Add some orange blossom water, oriental pastries, the subtlest pipe tobacco ever, a pack of fruit drops, whiffs of cinchona, a tiny pinhead of paprika… It really is a fabulous nose and should it be malt whisky, it would be a mid-1960s Lochside
Spiritual metanoia in your glass, extremely dangerous.
Growth Area: Borderies
Cognac Age: more than 40 Years Old
ABV: 47%
Bottle Size: 70cl
Certificate: Yes. Signed by Robert Churchill and Stéphane Burnez
Made up of exceptionally rare, old Cognac selected from two casks, this collector's item contains a blend of two unique Borderies eaux-de-vie that spent a minimum of 40 years aging. The two vintage blends combine harmoniously to form an exceptionally smooth blend boasting floral aromas with hints of violet.
More about the Prunier Cuvée N°1 Winston Churchill Cognac (limited edition).
Prunier Cuvée N°1
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Grosperrin Bois Ordinaires 18 Years
Serge's review (88 points)
Another fabulous Cognac. Price? Pff...
Watch this one, it is a Bois Ordinaires from the Isle of Oléron, which lies off Rochefort if you will. It stems from a very small estate that stopped its activities in 2007. They say old cognacs from the isles are 30 times rarer than Grandes Champagnes of similar ages, so indeed, this is a rarity, kudos to Grosperrin (and Fanny Fougerat, and probably the house Camus and others) for keeping the flame alive. (...)
One engaging baby (in the old days we would have written 's**y'), rather on nougats, preserved peaches, very soft liquorice, barrelled chardonnay, plus the compadres mirabelles and quinces, for sure. Almost forgot to mention tarte tatin. This is anything but ordinary.
Growth Area: Bois Ordinaires
Cognac Age: 18 Years Old
ABV: 51.5%
Bottle Size: 70cl
The sandy terroir from the Ile d'Oléron benefits from the influence of the Gulf Stream and has Mediterranean-like sunshine. The island is known as "the island of herbs" due to its unique plants such as mimosa and tamaris. The current owner has retired and the last harvest was in 2007, with only 3 previous harvests remaining. Each year, Grosperrin buys one year by tacit contract to continue the aging process in their cellars, where a light reduction is made before it is put into barrels.
More about the Grosperrin 18 Years Old Bois Ordinaries Cognac.
Grosperrin Bois Ordinaires
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De Luze Infini
Serge's review (91 points)
Who would rush such an old glory?
This nose is absolutely wonderful, as expected, just give it time. (...)
I wasn't expecting this much citrus, that's fantastic. Some of these extremely old cognacs have started to nosedive, but that's absolutely not the case here. As for the price, it's around ten times lower than those of similar Macallans or Dalmores. Indeed, It is all a matter of perspective.
Growth Area: Grande Champagne
Cognac Age: Prestige - up to 100 years old
ABV: 40%
Bottle Size: 70cl
Decatner: Coated with 24 carats of gold
De Luze Infini is an exceptionally old Cognac, as the name already says: Infini stands for Endless (nice creative styles here, Boinaud). Whether you are a Cognac connoisseur or coming from the world of Single Malt Whisky: Infini is a must-try when it comes to elegant old Cognac, a must-have for any discerning cognac collector.
More about the De Luze Infini Cognac.
De Luze Infini
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François Voyer Terres de Grande Champagne
Serge's review (72 points)
I find it a little sweet, with notes of sweet vermouth
It's a rather fresh, honeyed, almost somewhat caney young cognac, slightly earthy (garden earth) and with notes of bananas flambéed. The usual stewed peaches are in ambush in the background. (...)
Possibly meant to be enjoyed in cocktails. The sweetish side doesn't work extremely well when you sip it – or at least when I try to sip it. The juice in the back is nice.
Growth Area: Grande Champagne
Cognac Age: VS Cognac
ABV: 40%
Bottle Size: 70cl
The François Voyer Terres de Grande Champagne VS Cognac is a young blend of eaux-de-vie aged between four and six years, boasting a smooth, delicate bouquet of floral notes including linden and violets. Only the finest high-acidity Ugni Blanc grapes have been used for this blend, lending a sweet minerality. Typical of the Grande Champagne, this is an elegant expression that shows how the right Premier Cru blend can be perfect at any age, showing all the flavors and aromas that you'd expect from the most sought-after soils in the Cognac region.
More about the François Voyer Terres de Grande Champagne Cognac.
François Voyer Terres de Grande Champagne
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Vallein Tercinier Lot 96 Grande Champagne
Serge's review (88 points)
Perfect balance. Top notch.
It's always interesting to try younger spirits by our favourite houses (come on S., it's a 1996, it is almost 30!) Colour: pale gold. Nose: lovely style, close to the grape, with even notes of stalk and grape pips, otherwise melons (first) and peaches (second). Also old Sauternes and rhum agricole - Neisson, naturally – and honey drops. A huge pack of honey drops! Mouth: perfect, well-chiselled, as is customary at this house. (...)
Finish: pretty long, with dried longans and bruised apples, then golden syrup, sultanas, those violets, this liquorice...
Growth Area: Grande Champagne
Cognac Age: Lot 96
ABV: 49.7%
Bottle Size: 70cl
This Cognac is non-filtered at cold temperatures and maintains its natural color, making it a true representation of the art of distillation. Each bottle of this limited edition Cognac is a testament to the Cognac house's commitment to quality and tradition. This Cognac has been carefully crafted from the finest Grande Champagne grapes, ensuring a smooth and refined taste with a 49.7% alcohol content.
More about the latest Vallein Tercinier releases (including the Lot 96 Grande Champagne).
Vallein Tercinier Lot 96
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Frapin Fontpinot 1995 25 Years Old
Serge's review (86 points)
Just excellent and well in the style of the house
One of the pretty rare age-and-vintage-stated cognacs out there. The French administration remains tough in that respect, much tougher than, for example, the people in Armagnac. (...)
Nose: pure stewed peaches, apricots, sultanas, tangerines, citrons and prickly pears, with a few drops of heather honey. Simple and bordering perfection. Mouth: a little less chiselled and polished, with a few more liqueury notes than on the nose, but all these dried fruits are working very well. Raisins and prunes, naturally, also pears, bananas and pineapples. Finish: medium, the peaches being back, coated with some honeyed liquorice. A little caramel yet again in the aftertaste.
Growth Area: Grande Champagne
Cognac Age: Vintage Cognac (1995)
ABV: 41.4%
Bottle Size: 70cl
Selected from the Grande Champagne cru during the vintage year of 1995, Château de Fonpinot 1995 25 Years Old Cognac is an award-winning and beautifully fragrant single-year Cognac offering that pays homage to the memorable summer of 1995. While the summer of 1995 was particularly dry, the abundant fleshy grapes promised to be great – and that they were. Following a double distillation process and then 25 years of patient aging in French oak barrels, the eau-de-vie presents a subtle symphony of fruity and spicy notes.
More about the Frapin Fontpinot 25 Years Old Cognac.
Frapin 1995 25 Years Old
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Chateau de Beaulon XO Cognac
Serge's review (86 points)
Lovely château and lovely young Cognac.
The château itself is wonderful, but just like with châteaux in Bordeaux or Scottish distilleries (that's right), you'll never find any relations between the prestige of the settings and the quality of the make. (...)
Nose: gentle, on finger biscuits and peach jam, plus golden raisins, with touches of blond tobacco and soft liquorice. No quibblings, this is fresh and pleasant, if not totally characterful. Mouth: really good, with emphasis on liquorice and violet sweets. Really a lot of violets, without being too perfumy – at all. Rather a lot of heather honey too, mint honey, and just more soft liquorice. This really works.
Growth Area: Fins Bois
Cognac Age: XO Cognac (12 Years Old)
ABV: 40%
Bottle Size: 70cl
An exceptioned XO exclusively produced using eaux-de-vie from the Fins Bois region. As with many of Chateau de Beaulon's Cognacs, this XO has been left to age for 2 years more than the legal requirement for a blend of this age. It boasts a wonderful variety of flavors and aromas, including toasted notes of bread and almond, with the sweet fruity notes of peach and orange, balanced by the warming spice of cinnamon.
More about the Chateau de Beaulon XO Cognac.
Chateau de Beaulon XO
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L'ESSENTIEL: Serge's reviews
L'ESSENTIEL A29
Serge's review (89 points)
Nicht auf Lager
Wonderful
Pleasures all around, with fresh fruits, a fruit salad really, and a few crushed mint leaves 'like in a mojito'. Add some honey and a drop of maple syrup, and you're up for a fantastic breakfast (they'll close this website for good one day, but we'll fight to the death!) Mouth: tops, rather grassier, with an unusual earthiness, then rather walnut skins, liquorice wood, mints, then stewed fruits plus jams. We're talking oranges, peaches and apricots, which are not uncommon in good cognac. Finish: medium, fresh, with some liquid liquorice over the same stewed oranges, peaches and apricots.
Comments: wonderful, with some real presence and yet it would go down effortlessly.
L'ESSENTIEL A45
Serge's review (88 points)
Nicht auf Lager
Freshness and maturity here are both impressive
Magnificent ripe fruits, first peaches, then mirabelles, quinces, oranges and guavas. Then moist pipe tobacco, a little sandalwood, honeycomb, then only tiny traces of liquorice and aniseed.
Approaching perfection already. The oakiness was well controlled, small casks are always tricky and you wouldn't want them to 'flavour' your spirit. Just ask Octave (wink).
L'ESSENTIEL A12
Serge's review (86 points)
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Excellent Young Cognac
Fresh and really very fruity. We're wandering throughout a large orchard around the month of august, while smoking a small pipe and sipping a double expresso. Various plums in there, greengages, damsons, the usual mirabelles, the no-less usual peaches, melons…
Mouth: no ideas if that's the Tronçais oak but I'm finding rather a lot of liquorice, plus a little sandalwood, then all those fruits, with a lovely freshness. Plums running the show, peaches and ripe apples being strong contenders, both as fresh fruits and as puréed fruits and jams.
