Borderies meets Jerez: A Bold and Successful Sherry Cask Experiment
This Cognac truly impressed me. From the first nosing, it offers an inviting combination of pastry cream, toasted grain, and ripe fruit notes, but the real star of the show is undoubtedly the finish. The maturation in ex Oloroso Sherry casks adds remarkable depth and complexity while allowing the elegant Borderies character to shine through. The nutty, spicy, and subtly salty influences from the Sherry casks integrate beautifully with the Cognac's floral and fruity profile.
What impressed me most is the long and evolving finish. Notes of tangerine, dried fruits, gentle spices, and a touch of salinity linger on the palate for an exceptionally long time. The Oloroso influence never feels overpowering or artificial. Instead, it complements the spirit perfectly, creating additional layers of flavor and making each sip more engaging than the last.
I genuinely wish more Cognac producers would explore cask finishing. While this practice has become common in the whisky world, this bottling demonstrates just how much potential it has in Cognac. The combination of traditional Cognac craftsmanship with the distinctive character of Sherry casks creates a unique and memorable drinking experience that stands out from many conventional releases.
For me, this is a wonderful example of how innovation and tradition can work hand in hand. It is one of the most exciting Cognacs I have tasted recently and has left a lasting impression.
The fact that only 205 bottles were produced makes it even more special. Knowing that this was a truly limited experimental release adds to the enjoyment of every glass. Small batch projects like this showcase the creativity and passion that still exist within the Cognac world, and in this case the experiment was an undeniable success. I can only hope Comandon and other producers continue to pursue such exceptional cask finished expressions in the future.