Braastad XO Fine Champagne Cognac

The Cognac is a blend of eaux-de-vie from Fine Champagne. The bottle is square with a solid foundation. The bottle I have is 1L in size and purchased at an excellent price. Very traditional and classic design. The cognac is dark caramel in color. The initial aroma was very fruity with notes of floral....

This is my first Cognac review and it is quite fitting that it would be the Braastad XO. It was probably the bottle responsible for me developing this interest a couple of years ago. As for the taste it has a bit of sweetness in the form of honey. There is also wood, spices and some violet. It...

Slightly golden amber in the glass. 1st nose is fine and delicate becoming incense-like, soft. Sweet, little bit woody with some alcohol bite. Nice finish leaving a sweetness.

Braastad X.O. has an initial honey smell right after opening the bottle. Fruit bouquet mix of apple and cherry aromas. No smell of alcohol or ethanol spirit at all. Which is a good sign of the quality X.O. cognac. Stable aroma of fresh apples after letting sit it in the cognac glass for a few minutes....

Deep, warm sweet gingerbread nose. Nice floral background. Lots of dry oak, coming through on the buttered gingerbread. Very long and dry. Spiced candied fruit goes on and on. Good, but a bit dry for my palate.

Such a savoury, spicy palate. Plenty of wood, umami, dare I say a little coffee? Perhaps a little lacking in the fruit department but very enjoyable.

An Xo with full body and amazing palate and finish, excellent for any occasion, great value for money...an exquisite XO!!!

Braastad XO is a competent cognac, at a bargain price. Nose: rich aromas of rancio. Very strong aromas of nuts. The box mentions hazelnut, but I got roasted caramel glazed walnuts. Earthy umami mushroom and truffles. Coffee notes develop with time. I like the nose. Palate: smooth. The rancio...

Elegant Cognac for the price. Deep caramel amber colour. Notes of truffles with hints of leather. To the palate I found a lovely balance of hazelnut and vanilla with a touch of violet permeating throughout. Well developed ranco to finish. I found, personally , the longer the bottle sat the better...

For an XO of this quality for under $100 it really can't be beat. Braastad shows that they can pack as strong a punch as the Big 4 at a fraction of the cost. Lots of nice spices and woody notes and a clear rancio is starting to develop. The finish is medium long and definitely makes you want to go...