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Vallein Tercinier Brut de Fût Lot 96 Single Cask Fins Bois Cognac

Highly Recommended 87 /100

see 6 reviews

Cognac age
Special
Growth area
Fins Bois
Bottle size
700ml
ABV
48.7%

Taylor C.

Reviews written: 41 (see reviews)

Average Score given: 86

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

Bio:

French wine, and the concept of terroir, captured my interest early on. Naturally, curiosity took me to spirits, in particular Cognac. Today I'm proud to be a member of the Cognac Expert team managing B2B projects, working on Cognac Expert Originals, and writing bottle reviews for the English Blog. I love to taste anything and everything - rum/rhum, whisky(ey), Armagnac, etc. - but no other spirit grabs my attention quite like Cognac, and all of its subtleties and nuance. Santé !

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Brut de Fut Lot 96 Single Cask

Exceptional 90 /100

Eye: Deep amber. As I coat the glass walls, this seems to be the thickest and fullest of the bunch.

Nose: The chiseled fruits are back but now they are fatter, denser and seem to ooze out of the glass. I smell apricots, ripe melons, plums, and sweet candied citrus. Something about the nose carries with it a sweet sugary confectionery note, like walking in an artisanal candy store. Then, after about twenty minutes, an earthy spicy orange cologne perfume enters. What immediately flashed through my mind was Terre d’Hermes eau de toilette or eau de parfum. Now does this Cognac really smell like a Hermes perfume? I can’t be entirely sure since I’ve never smelled them side by side, but I keep telling myself there must be something there if that unique perfume smell entered my mind once this Cognac received adequate air. It’s highly aromatic; It’s a sultry and sexy nose.

Palate: The fatness on the nose immediately carries over into the mouth. This is the fullest and densest Cognac of the lot. Perhaps this big cushioned oozy texture comes at the expense of precision, but it’s just so fine to taste. So yes, I’m openly admitting this does not have the same precision and complete balance as the 1989 Grande Champagne. That being said, the aforementioned fruits are there in spades. Moreover, the fruit flavors are also accompanied by flavors of sugary sweets, precious woods and incense, and exotic perfumes. It all feels more exotic and oriental. As I swish the Cognac around in the mouth, my mouth literally waters. And this is what I find fascinating about this Cognac: how can such a fat oozy Cognac make my mouth water so much? I typically associate the mouth watering sensation with things that are acidic, like a fine riesling from Alsace or a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire. But here the contrast between the beguiling aromas, the heft of the spirit, and the fresh thirst quenching nature get me excited. Fascinating!

Finish: The finish carries with it some force and heat. There is nothing rustic or edgy, thankfully. Remember, the force and heat is mainly felt on the first sip or two. By the time you’ve gotten past the first two sips, the palate is calibrated and the pleasure grows exponentially. The flavors linger long enough for me to get as much out of them as possible before moving on to the next sip. This is not the most complete Cognac of the group, nor is it the most accessible one of the tasting, but it is my favorite, whatever that’s worth.

Tags

  • Apricot
  • Candied Fruit
  • Honey
  • Orange Zest
  • Plum
  • Rancio
  • Saffron
  • Spices

Flavour

Wood 7/10

Spice 7/10

Fruit 8/10

Flower 5/10

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?

18/20

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?

17/20

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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