Yuki O.

Reviews written: 5 (see reviews)

Average Score given: 90

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

Bio:

Japanese Sake drinker

My favorite in Paul Giraud (Japan-only bottle)

I apologize at the outset, but this bottle of Tres Rare is a Japan-only bottle.
I am writing here because I have no other place to post a review of this bottle and because I want to promote Paul Giraud.

This bottle is coming to confuse you, as it is marked "35 years old" but the notes say "all 45 years or older". How old are you?
The global bottle is "up to 40 years old" while this one is "at least 45 years old", so it may be a bottle in between Tres Rare (global) and Heritage.
It seems that Heritage is getting a little older in terms of original spirits. It used to be claimed to be 50 years old, but now it is listed as almost 60 years old.
This is my personal favorite bottle of Paul Giraud.
This is a very high level bottle in the cognac category.
It has the character of Paul Giraud, but also has the structure of a cognac of blending technique, and I think it is a very excellent bottle with a good balance between the two.
In terms of age, rarity, price, etc., Paul Giraud still has a upper lineup, but, for example, Tresor du Paradis (Japan-only bottle, 1962 single cask) is a bit rugged as the cask itself (and that's a good thing, too), Heritage has the core of Paul Giraud, but I think it is made with some awareness of the "Great Heritage Cognacs".
(The character of an aged Grande Champagne and the character of Paul Giraud are a bit difficult to marry.)
In general, Paul Giraud's cognacs are simple and straightforward, which is also a feature, but in terms of scores, I have the impression that they are in the upper 80s, but I feel that this bottle should be above 90 points.

Now, about the taste.
The color may seem a little pale for a 45 year old, but the aroma shatters this illusion.
Esthery, powerful, apples, tropical passion fruit, berry compote with extracted sweetness aroma, floral, is this gardenia flower? Oak, citrus peel, a little tidal nuance, peach honey, gentle green pepper-like spice, a hint of cinnamon and other brown woody spices, clean, honest and powerful. Very good.
The palate is sweet and has a core of Paul Giraud grapes, which makes it clear that this cognac is Paul Giraud.
In addition, this is unquestionably a relatively long-ripening Grande Champagne, so its rancio and Paul Giraud characters are intertwined and harmonized like DNA double helix.
The liquids that are mixed with each other at a high level of intensity flow together, and the aftertaste, as is typical of Paul Giraud, is simple and straightforward, like grape juice.
This may be a point where some people may not appreciate it as much as others. It lacks complexity, is not Cognac-like, lacks gravitas, etc.
I like it in this way, but the fact that there is a point where tastes are divided may be the reason why it is not universally loved and why it was made in a limited bottle in Japan, where there are many people who happen to like it.
(I think Japanese people probably like this kind of flavor more than others.)
However, Paul Giraud can be "too simple" at times, and at other times, "Thank you for creating such a wonderful, one-of-a-kind product!” The higher end of Paul Giraud's lineup requires a lot of energy and determination to drink.
You could say that you can enjoy the fortune-telling of "Which will it be today?" :)

If you ever come to Japan, you may want to look for this bottle and buy it.
(As Japan's national strength declines, these Japan-only bottles will gradually become less and less available, so you may only be able to get them now.)
Of course, I suppose it could be purchased by mail order.

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Flavour

Sweetness

very dry / not sweet very smooth / very sweet

very smooth very dry
very sweet not sweet

Wood 4/10

Spice 3/10

Fruit 9/10

Flower 5/10

Bottle / Package Design 4/5

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

Value for Money 4/5

Overpriced Low Average Bargain Steal