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Domaine du Puits Faucon XO Cognac

Recommended 84 /100

see 2 reviews

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

Taylor

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Warming and hedonistic!

Recommended 83 /100

My understanding is that this is a 20-22 year old Borderies cognac. As a newcomer to the cognac world, I only have one other cognac in my possession to compare this too: Dudognon Napoleon (from Grande Champagne, 12 years old). Right away my nose gets warm, spicy Cola and maple syrup notes. Additionally, there's vanilla, a slight nuttiness, cinnamon, and pain d'epices (gingerbread). It's impossible to read about Borderies without seeing the "violet" smells reference. But honestly, living in the city, I just have no clue what a violet smells like, so I won't dare say this smells like violet. In the mouth it is full, fat, and rich. It's not as fresh as the Dudognon, but that is not for one second to say it lacks freshness. This cognac seems to be much more about maple syrup, vanilla, and warming baking spices than it is fresh and youthful fruit. I suppose this has to do with its age and also perhaps since it comes from Borderies. Really, I'd qualify this as comforting, warming and quite hedonistic. The length is great, and the finish packs a little heat but is smooth overall. In fact, the tight grip at the end provides a nice contrast to the fatness of the cognac - a nice balancing act. I am glad to be the proud owner of the bottle. Also, I should mention that this review is based of two nights of initial tastings, one glass neat and the other with a single drop of water, both of which tasted over several hours. That single drop of water was the preferred glass. Delivery and packaging perfect too!

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?

19/20

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?

23/25

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?

15/20

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: 83/100

  • 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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