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Hardy Noces d'Argent Fine Champagne Cognac

Highly Recommended 88 /100

see 13 reviews

Cognac age
XO
Growth area
Fine Champagne
Bottle size
700ml
ABV
40%

Morten V.

Reviews written: 127 (see reviews)

Average Score given: 82

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

Bio:

Passionate cognac enthusiast from Norway

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A social cognac to be shared around the campfire

79 /100

This is the newest member of Hardy's Noces-range. It is around 25 years old with a blend of 55% GC and 45% PC.
This cognac has a deep golden color, and it has large tears inside the glass. On the nose it is quite rich, I find a lot of darker tones like wood, tobacco and leather, but also some more fruity notes like raisins, grapefruit and some more citrus. There is also some honey there. In mouth it is very balanced and harmonic. It is pleasant in the mouth. But it is short, I hoped it would be much longer. The same goes for the finish, it disappears much faster than you want. For me this is a typical social cognac, it is a cognac you put on the table and share with friends in a party or around the campfire. The bottle will empty fast. But it is not a cognac that will win any tasting in my group when we are comparing a lot of different cognacs.

Flavour

Wood 6/10

Spice 7/10

Fruit 6/10

Flower 2/10

Bottle / Package Design 4/5

Where is the Love? Ordinary Nice Beautiful A sight to be seen!

Value for Money 3/5

Overpriced Low Average Bargain Steal

Tasting

Nose

What aromas do you get when you sniff the Cognac? Do you get hints of fruits or flowers - perhaps it's sweet? Is it intense or rather flat - and most importantly, is the nose coherent to taste and finish? The nose is the most important part when tasting Cognac.

21/25

Mouth

A small sip: Allow your taste buds in the various areas of your mouth to distinguish the different flavours. This part of cognac tasting is described as ‘the palate’. Don’t just swallow it down; allow the liquid to touch all the regions of the mouth. Doing this is necessary as the taste buds pick up contrasting flavours in the different areas of the mouth; on the tip of your tongue to the sides, for example. Take a tiny sip to prep your palate for the sensory experience to come. Take a second larger sip, and gently roll the cognac around, etting it come into contact with every corner of your mouth. Focus on the perceived textural sensations. Are the sensations round and rich or fresh and elegant? Is the overall mouthfeel intense, balanced, disjointed, or lacking presence? In short, how does the cognac feel in your mouth?

16/20

Taste

Quite simply, what do you taste as you gently roll the cognac around in your mouth? Pay close attention to any flavors of fruits, flowers, oak, and spices - or a complex combination of those elements. Are the flavors cohesive with the Nose and the Mouth, giving a sense of balance and complexity?

20/25

Finish

The ‘finish’ is the experience you get after you’ve swallowed the cognac. What flavours can you detect? Is it a flat or rough finish and rather sharp, or is it a slight 'punch' you like? How long does the finish last? Also think about overall balance: How does the finish compare to nose and taste?

14/20

Overall Impression

Consider the Nose, Mouth, Taste, and Finish simultaneously - the cognac as a whole. Is there cohesion between the four categories, or does the cognac shine in some areas and appear dull in others? Quite simply, is the memory from the tasting experience one that will last your lifetime; is the memory good but nothing extraordinary; or is the cognac’s impact entirely forgettable?

8/10

Total: 79/100

  • 80-84: Recommended
  • 85-89: Highly Recommended
  • 90-95: Exceptional
  • 96-100: Superlative
Flat Acceptable Fine Excellent Ethereal Thin & weak Disjointed Balanced Exquisite Bland Ordinary Good Excellent Spectacular Non-existent, or rough Acceptable Good Memorable Endless Uninspiring, or rough Ordinary Good Excellent Memorable
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