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Hardy Noces de Diamant Grande Champagne Cognac

Highly Recommended 85 /100

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Cognac age
Prestige
Growth area
Grande Champagne
Bottle size
700ml
ABV
40%
Age (maximum)
60

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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Beautiful cognac in a costly decanter

Highly Recommended 85 /100

This is a 60 year old blend from Grande Champagne containing more than 30 different eaux de vies. It comes in a costly decanter.
This cognac has a dark amber color. I looks great in the glass. On the nose it is both mature and rick. I immediately think of toast, mature fruits, some wood and in the end some citrus. It is very calm in the mouth. Delicate notes spreads slowly out in the entire mouth. You get some spices on the tip of the tongue. Are there is quite a bit of mature and sweet fruit notes. The body has a great volume. The finish is both long and tasty. This is a luxurious cognac for special occasions. The main problem is that it comes in a costly decanter. This drives the price up. I would consider buying it if it came in a regular bottle with a corresponding price tag. But enjoy, this was a great cognac experience.

Flavour

Wood 7/10

Spice 8/10

Fruit 4/10

Flower 1/10

Bottle / Package Design 5/5

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

Value for Money 2/5

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.

23/25

True to category
Array of smells
Intensity of smells
Balance of smells
Presence of ethanol

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

1st impression
Body
Texture
Alcohol level

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?

22/25

True to category
Complexity of tastes
Distinctiveness of tastes
Intensity of tastes
Balance of tastes

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?

20/20

Flavours
Length
Power / “Smooth”
Balance

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?

1/10

Total: 85/100

  • 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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