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Courvoisier VS Cognac
66 /100
- Cognac age
- VS
- Growth area
- Petite Champagne
- Growth area
- Fins Bois
- Bottle size
- 700ml
- ABV
- 40%
Dimitre I.
Reviews written: 25 (see reviews)
Average Score given: 81
Review Overview: Best & Most rated, All Reviewers & Reviews
Bio:
Based in San Francisco, CA, I grew up on a vineyard in Europe. I am avid wine, and scotch enthusiast, and I have been exploring Cognacs and Armagnacs as a newly found passion.
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Courvoisier VS is a solid, if rough, around the edge’s cognac
74 /100
Courvoisier VS is a solid, if rough, around the edge’s cognac. Not for the faint hearted. But it is rewarding for those, who don’t mind a little bite. It’s aged longer than usual for VS, for 3-7 years. Yet the palate is far from smooth. Courvoisier VS is almost a hybrid V.S./V.S.O.P. The cellar master could have covered it with sugar and caramel to “smooth” the taste, but, fortunately, they didn’t. The flavors and the texture are truly impressive for a young cognac. The grapes are primarily sourced from the Fins Bois region with some Petite Champagne. The aromas are very fresh and assertive. Menthol and peaches greet you at the beginning, Caramel and vanilla, join the party later. Peaches are said to be Courvoisier’s signature aroma. True. It is aroma of caramelized, stewed peaches, rather than fresh peaches. Nutty. Black walnuts. Very complex. The palate is the challenging part of the experience. It’s rough and alcohol is prominent. I never use ice in my brandy, just a splash of water. This cognac, however, can take a cube of ice. OR TWO. You can fold and quit, or you can persist. I choose the latter. Once the initial alcohol burn on the palate is gone, flavors are pleasant. The palate carries much of the aromas from the nose, bursting with citrus, spices, peaches, vanilla and caramel. Fruity. A hint of tabaco and walnuts. Less grapy, than Henny. The mouthfeel is great. Full body and oily. The texture here is better than that of Courvoisier VSOP. Finish is medium. More spices, caramel and peaches.
This is not a cognac for a novice. It is rough, bold and challenging. No other cognac at this price range, however, brought as much flavors, full body and joy to my palate. This is my VS cognac of choice, followed by Hardy VS. If you prefer smooth and sweet brandy, with a lovely aroma, get the Henny VS. If you like a bold showstopper, with great flavors and sharp edges, get the Courvoisier VS. Cheers.
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.
20/25
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.
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?
13/20
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?
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?
17/25
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?
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?
16/20
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?
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
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?
Total: 74/100
- 80-84: Recommended
- 85-89: Highly Recommended
- 90-95: Exceptional
- 96-100: Superlative