John G.

Avis écrits : 14 (see reviews)

Note moyenne attribuée : 78

Review Overview: Best & Most rated, All Reviewers & Reviews

• 

Biographie :

Regular contributor to Malt Review. WSET Spirits Level 2 Enthusiastic about all spirits but for vodka. Whisky is my 1st love but I'm currently enjoying my affair with rum, brandy and Mezcal.

Du yourself a favor and buy this

Recommended 80 /100

Color: honey

On the nose: Feisty, funky and sharp ethanol which clouds the different scents being given off on the nose. I believe this is what the French refer to as rancio. I get different shades of honey, apples & pears followed by dried and candied apricots and hints of melons.

In the mouth: This is much more mellow and fruity in the mouth. There’s a mild heat all throughout the body. I taste things like fuji apples, cream, honey, hints of coffee, dried apricots, melons, plums and hints of peaches. Hints of rancio funk at the end.

Conclusions
A bit of a two-faced spirit as it shows different… temperaments on the nose versus in the mouth. From a rather rough texture on the nose, to a mellow yet full body in the mouth.

This Vieille Reserve is said to be an average blend of 20-year-old Cognac. Despite being only bottled at 40% abv, this doesn’t have the usual watery body a 40% spirit does. There’s a lot of weight, depth and length in this. I’m wondering if this is the effect of incremental dilution which French brandy producers are known to do? I’m really curious to try this straight from the cask. Perhaps something to experience in the future should I have the chance to visit the Cognac region.

I consider this a steal as this only cost me $90 back in 2015. Trying Cognac like this makes me wish more people had the chance to try small house Cognac like this. I bet it will make them wonder why they and many others are willing to pay around $150 or more, for the big brand XOs? The rum geek in me is bothered by this, as these aren’t pure Cognac due to their being sweetened.