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Delamain XO Pale and Dry Cognac

Recommended 81 /100

see 6 reviews

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

Rodger R.

Reviews written: 13 (see reviews)

Average Score given: 68

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

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Outstanding XO Cognac!

78 /100

Until recently I was a VSOP drinker, but after reading many of the reviews posted here, I decided to expand my horizons to XO, Napoleon, and Extra. By way of comparison, I have tried and reported on Remy Martin XO, Courvoisier Napoleon, Daniel Boujou VSOP and Daniel Boujou XO, Frapin VSOP, and finally the present subject of my tastings.

The present offering is the most unusual in color. Most of the XO and Napoleon Cognacs seem to be much darker gold or amber in color. As stated in the distiller's promo, this is unusually light--I would call it "bright."

The nose is excellent and very "fresh," with some floral and fruitiness, but as an overlay to a nuttiness reminiscent of hazelnuts.

The palate is exciting! Very full but complex.

Finish is long and very smooth. I detect some spiciness and vanilla. Nutmeg? Perhaps. Not too much oak which can subtract if overdone.

Although a tad more expensive than I like, it delivers quality from start to finish. No real weaknesses.

Value for Money 4/5

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.

18/25

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?

15/20

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?

18/25

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?

19/20

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: 78/100

  • 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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