Raymond Bossis XO Brut de Fût Cognac

Highly Recommended 88 /100

see 14 reviews

Cognac age
XO
Growth area
Fins Bois
Bottle size
500ml
ABV
56%

Willie J.

Reviews written: 52 (see reviews)

Average Score given: 84

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

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Not disappointed

Exceptional 90 /100
Verified purchase

I’m amazed by the colour and delighted that it doesn’t presage a spirit completely dominated by the wood. I’m also surprised to find the nose so approachable at this strength. As you bring your nose to the glass it passes through rich treacle and chocolate fudge before settling to mango wrapped in tobacco with an espresso on the side.
It needs gentle sipping, but that rewards with sweet chocolate, vanilla and more tobacco (almost ashy) before melting into bittersweet stewed fruits.
The finish is long with more chocolate, then cloves lead the rest of the spices that dry on the tongue and sizzle a little at the end.
I’m a sucker for this kind of thing. The intensity of the experience is wonderful and the flavours of long aged spirits are just magic to me. I think this particular one could be a little more open in the middle. I’m not one for watering spirits, regardless of their strength, but I did a little experiment with a couple of drops in this and it become more fruity and vibrant, but loses some of that tobacco intensity. Take your pick.
Anyway, I think this a beautiful thing. Thanks to the producers.

PS I love the bottle.

Flavour

Wood 8/10

Spice 8/10

Fruit 6/10

Flower 2/10

Bottle / Package Design 4/5

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

Value for Money 5/5

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

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?

17/20

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?

22/25

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?

9/10

Total: 90/100

  • 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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