Tastes

A delicate, Réserve Armagnac from France which is a blend of eaux-de-vie created from Ugni Blanc, Baco Blanc & Folle Blance grapes matured initially in new casks made from Gascony oak before moving to older casks. Réserve is made up eaux-de-vie aged around 7-15 years. It opens floral at first, with wafts of orange blossom & lilac. Soon enough, a good kick of oak & baking spices. A palate with notes of cinnamon & nutmeg, with a touch of white pepper. Creamy vanilla & brioche. apricot pastries; while floral notes return on the finish, joined by dried fruit & citrus peels & a bit of warmth. August 2017

An intense Bas Armagnac by Clés des Ducs from France aged for 25 years. It opens with notes of toffee & fruit; a balanced & complex palate of dried fruits & vanilla that leads to a long, complex yet smooth finish. August 2017

An intense, well-aged expression of single estate Bas Armagnac from which is made from eaux-de-vie which has matured for over 30 years. These have rested in traditional 400-litre oak casks, allowing the complex spirit to develop rich notes of stewed plums, tobacco, orange peel & dark coffee. August 2017

A delicate blend of vintages, including a eau-de-vie distilled in 1975, 1981, 1990 & 1995 that has notes of juicy raisin, honey & bitter cocoa for a soft & very smooth finish. August 2017 / June 2018

An intense VSOP Force 53° expression from the House of Louis Royer in Jarnac is bottled at 53% ABV. It opens with notes of vanilla, lime zest & crushed grape; the palate has notes of dried fruits, sultanas, prunes, butter & oak; while the finish is long with notes of spicy, leather & lace. September 2017

An intense VSOP from The Louis Royer House of Cognac is located on the picturesque bank of the Charente River in Jarnac & has been since it was founded in 1853. It opens with notes of port, dried fruits, barley & beer, the palate has notes of plum, fresh baked apple, ripe peaches, orange zest, cinnamon, potpourri, licorice, leather muskiness & tobacco, while the finish long & rich with notes of apricot, rancio & a hint of oak. September 2017

A delicate blend of Grande & Petite Champagnes (60% is the former). This is what's known as a Fine Champagne. The cognac is aged from between 6 & 12 years, with most being around 8 years old. It was first blended by the eponymous Thomas Hine. It opens with notes of caramel, jasmine, oak & strong hints of vanilla; the palate has notes of dried fruit, fresh cream & toffee, full-bodied & as smooth as it gets; while the finish is long, smooth, dry, with notes of oak, smoky, ginger ale, barley & a hint of nutmeg. September 2017

A delicate, XO Cognac from the A.E. Dor house, made with a rich blend of Grande & Petit Champagne eaux-de-vie. It opens light & honeyed with notes of spring & summer flowers & vine canes; the palate has notes of licorice, fruit, mango & barley; while hits of spice, white flowers, summer berries & citrus fruit led to a long & complex finish. September 2017

A rich, XO Elegance expression, Camus use eaux-de-vie from all of Cognac's six crus to craft a luxurious, impressive brandy. It opens floral with notes of rich dark fruit; the palate has notes of nut & oak; while the finish is long with notes of vanilla sweetness & brandied cherries, with hints of grape, hazelnut & rye for complexity. September 2017

A rich, XO Premier Cru produced using grapes from the Grande Champagne region; a blend of over 40 different cognacs, aged for over a decade. It opens spicy & peppery with notes of grape, dried fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg & a gentle floral aroma (lavender & jasmine); the palate is full & supple with notes of Crème fresh, toffee, perfume & spice; while the finish is long & delicate with notes of fruit, oak & vanilla. September 2017