Jesse C.

17 reviews · avg 76/100

This is the third expression I've tried from Paul Giraud and this house is firmly in my top three favorite Cognac producers. You can smell, taste, and feel the passion and care that goes into their eau de vie.

As with his other expressions, the nose on this is very earthy. Lots of leather/tobacco, moss, freshly dug earth. There's also a minerality about it like gravel after a rain. Coffee, stewed apricot, and overripe tropical fruits are present. There's some flowers hiding underneath, too. The Tres Rare is thick with rancio.

On the palate I get a good amount of clove and cinnamon spice followed by candied fruits, leather, and a touch of licorice. The texture fully coats your mouth from beginning to end. And yet, still on the drier side indicating a light hand on any additives (if any are used at all).

The finish is long lasting several minutes after each sip. This is where the floral element really shines as roses keep reappearing on my palate. Don't overthink buying this one, just do it. You won't regret it.