Critic tasting note: "Spicy and refreshing, this bright golden-orange brandy shows thick caramel and dried fruit upfront, but ends on a lighter note, with tea, leather, ginger and a faint grassiness on the finish." - 92/100, Wine Enthusias
It is characterized by a perfect balance between the fruitiness of the apple and the aromas brought by over 9 years of ageing in century-old oak barrels. The double distillation confers aromatic complexity and an exceptional palate length.
The V.S.O.P. differentiates itself by a selection of apple ciders exclusively harvested in the Pays d’Auge region, a delimited terroir representing only 6% of the Normandy region. The typicity that the soil confers to the apple coupled with a double distillation in pot stills give the V.S.O.P. a rich and long palate.
The cellar master, Alexander Gabriel, has the the great pleasure to open for the very first time his private collection of exceptional cognacs. Premier Cru single cask 100% Grande Champagne, unique in the world! These preciously guarded treasures rest under the vaults of the Chais Paradis, in the underground passages of Mademoiselle's 19th-centuary manor. These forever inimitable vintages, from the oldest to the most recent, are made from Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard grapes. Although it is impossible to reproduce them, they all have one thing in common: each of them bears witness to the extraordinary character of Grande Champagne and to the savoir-faire of the Cognac region perfected over the centuries. These extraordinary cognacs are not blended and are bottled at their natural alcohol content right out of the barrel, without filtration.
FINE V.S. is a fresh and fruity Calvados. Unlike others, it is made from single continuous distillation in copper stills to concentrate the apple aromas. These are then accentuated by blending the fruitiest cuvées and ageing them in barrels made of century-old oak.
Matured at least 12 years in oak barrels. Single distillation. Colour : Deep golden brown. Scent : Fresh hazelnut, banana and spices aromas, a perfect balance between wood and matured apple aromas. Palate : Fine and silky. Use : A smooth harmony with dessert, chocolate cream, nougat or ice-cream.
Dense, rich, with notes of baked apples and tarte tatin, the nose evolves towards a subtle rancio.
Gold Medal San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2019
Nose: Initially very spicy yuzu and tangerine aromas, followed by vanilla, marzipan and a delicate hint of flowers (roses, geraniums) followed by pepper, mint and herbs
Palate: a rich and round palate that initially follows the aromas on the nose. There are also hints of candied citrus fruits (yuzus, tangerines, limes) and waxy impressions of tropical fruits, along with almonds, plums, toffee, nutmeg and tea
Finish: the finish is very strong long and enthusiastic with hints of citrus fruits, herbs and vanilla as well as sweet spiced pastries
Chateau Pellehaut was named Best Brandy Producer in the world 2020 by the International Wine and Spirits Challenge. The fruit of the Armagnac takes center stage here, melding wonderfully with the small hint of vanilla from the wood. It's all distilled from Folle Blanche fruit and it's soft, round and aromatic, but it still has that little bit of rustic brandy flavour typical of old-school Armagnac.
A Fine Champagne VSOP cognac from the Hine house. H by Hine is a stylish alternative to Remy VSOP with a bit more oomph, but still very mixable for classy cocktails.
The entry point into the Maxime Trijol, their VS cognac is rich and full of fruit and floral notes, making it perfect for sipping, cocktails or long drinks.
This XO Cognac of the house of Rémy Martin comes in a 70 cl decanter and is at an ABV of 40%. The eaux-de-vie blend consists of 85% Grande Champagne and 15% Petite Champagne.
Amber hue with copper highlights. Focused, inviting nose suggestive of ripe apple and tarte tatin. The palate reveals a crisp, focused and fruity calvados showing lovely balance and persistence.
On the nose, warm hints of spices (cinnamon, vanilla). On the palate it is round and rich in tannins, developing towards a lush and lingering aftertaste, in which the aromatic overtones of the oak are revealed.
Carefully handcrafted and aged in oak, Three Barrels has a superior smooth and velvety taste with hints of almond and walnut, and a long finish of candied fruits and ginger.
Hennessy X.O is the Original, the emblematic icon of the Hennessy Maison.
Deep and powerful, the eaux-de-vie of this Hennessy X.O cognac are aged in young barrels and marked out by their power and energy, but also by their capacity to achieve a great roundness through time.
Delord are a highly regarded producer of Bas Armagnac. The house style exhibits a complxity of aromas and flavours including walnut, prune, nutmeg, cinnamon and dried peels.
Aged for a minimum of 10 years, its maturation in oak barrels has added to the complexity of this relatively young cognac but its flavours of spice and coffee, with pineapple in the background, are characteristic of cognacs from the top cru. Excellent value for one with such a good pedigree.
Aged in Limousin oak barrels for over 10 years in fairly damp cellars. These conditions help to keep the spirit in contact with the natural tannins in the oak for longer
Double distilled on a small Charentais Alembic still as this helps to concentrate the wine flavours during distillation.
There are flavours of spice and coffee with pineapple in the background. Flavours which have become more complex as the cognac has matured.
Tremendously smooth and mellow with hints of pears, apricots and nuts on the palate. Satisfying and intensely long. No giant marketing budgets to pay for here, just quality.
A fruit-forward Calvados from the wonderful Domaine Dupont over in Normandy. The apples are mixed, crushed, pressed and then fermented, and then finally aged in oak.
A splendid cognac from top producer Maxime Trijol. This elegant VSOP is a must-try. The family began distilling in 1859 and Maxime set up his own distillery in 1962.
Aged for 12 years. Intense vanilla apple and some floral notes of rose and jasmine; touches of sturdy oak and dried fruit. The palate is immediately smooth and balanced, fine fruit with complex oaky flavour, spiced fruit with a mouth-tingling grip.
In 2020 Ch Pellehaut was named Best Brandy Producer by the IWSC Challenge. Their 5 year old Sélection Armagnac has plenty of vanilla and cinnamon notes with lovely oakiness while the floral notes of Folle Blanche float above. It qualifies as VSOP (minimum 5 years of ageing before release) but does not declare it.
This family owned firm has been producing calvados from the top cru, Pays d'Auge, for 5 generations. This Reserve Calvados has been aged for at least 3 years, initially in 30 - 40 hl oak barrels but subsequently in smaller, 15 - 20 hl ones. It has a wonderful appley flavour and can be drunk as an aperitif (straight on ice or in a cocktail) or as a digestif served at room temperature to allow enough time to air.
Flavour
Smooth, a mix of apple and wood. It is fresh with minerals and a slightly peppery taste.
Amber with flashes of mahogany. The floral bouquet develops into spicy aromas on the palate producing a very rich feel. Its aromatic harmony is the sign of a fully-fledged cognac.
Decanter " Plenty of powerful spice and oak tannin up front, along with classic notes of ripe citrus and creamy vanilla. The mid-palate is explosively fragrant and round, with a little menthol tension. Abenchmark XO at a good price"
