Tastes

An elegant, special occasion Cognac by Vincent Norguet founder of Maison D’Aincourt. It is crafted with 10 Grand Champaign cru eaux-de-vie in Limousin oak. The youngest Cognac in the bottle is 20 years old, but the rest of them are far older, up to 50 years. It has an aromatic birth with notes of candied orange, kumquat, fig, dried apricot, with oak, vanilla, & clove; while a bold & complex life adds notes of candied fruits & luscious pear; that led to a long, silky & spicy death. July / August 2017 / April 2018

A delicate Brandy by Clos Martin in Bas-Armagnac, France crafted with Folle Blanche aged for 15 years. It has an aromatic birth with notes of fruits, wood, nuts, herbs & spices; while a delicate life adds notes of stewed prunes & juicy plums that led to a quick & balanced death with notes of oak, cigar box, hints of almond & coffee beans. August 2017 / 2018

A delicate Brandy by ABK6 in Cognac, France made with grapes from the Petite Champagne Cognac region. It has an aromatic birth with notes of tree fruits, wood, nuts, herbs & spices; while a fruity life led to a mild death with notes of oak & toasted nuts. September 2017

A rich Brandy by Remi Landier in Cognac, France crafted with a blend of aux-de-vie from the Fins Bois region. It has an aromatic birth with notes of tree fruits, wood, flowers, herbs & spices; while a rich & fruity life with a touch of spice led to a delicate & balanced death. September 2017

A delicate, VSOP Cognac from Bache Gabrielsen's Pure & Rustic Range. Created by the Cellar Master Jean-Philippe Bergier - the range shows off a modern, light, elegant style of Cognac. This expression is made using 75% Fins Bois & 25% Borderies Cognac. It opens with notes of apple, pear & white flowers; a palate with fruit, beer, hay, spice, wood & a hint of floral notes, while the finish is soft with notes of white grape, roasted grain & sugar. September 2017

A delicate, single estate 2005 vintage Cognac from Hine, made with grapes taken exclusively from their own vineyards in the Grande Champagne region. It opens with notes of orange peels, ginger & liquorice allsorts. This develops into notes of anise, fennel seeds & cumin, with some HobNob biscuits too. The palate has notes of jam, honey & raisin, grape, pineapple, balanced with clove & Oriental spices. Hints of cumin, mandarin & pineapple, Turkish delight. While the finish is long, soft & drying with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla & caramel red apple. September 2017 / January 2019

A delicate, blended expression made from some of their finest stocks, including Petit Champagne from 1993, Fins Bois from 1992 & 2003 and Grande Champagne which has aged for over ten years. It opens with notes of stone fruits, honey & almonds; the palate has notes of grape, apricot, peach, orange zest & dry baking spices; while the finish is long yet soft. September 2017

A delicate; second vintage of this single estate Grande Champagne Cognac from Hine, taken from only 19 barrels, all of which were refill French oak - for the 2006 vintage. It opens with notes of mixed peels & licorice with hints of Parkin & honey, dates & custard. The palate has some minerality for balance, with buttery cake, allspice, dried apricot, red apple & quince notes. While the finish is soft with notes of Shortcrust pastry, some citrus curd & cape gooseberries. September 2017

A rich, 1978 vintage Bas Armagnac from Armagnac House Delord Freres in Lannepax, France. It opens with notes of grape, prunes & plums; while the palate adds notes of walnuts & marzipan, that lead to a long woody finish. January / June 2018

A rich, Bas Armagnac, by the family estate of Domaine de Guilhon d'Aze. Denis Tastet aged in oak barrels Hors d'Age (at least 10 years old). It has an intense birth with notes of candied fruit, vanilla & aged wood; while a fresh & tannic life adds notes of grape, prune & blackberry; that leads to a long & delicate death with notes of caramel & orange peel. November 2018 / January / February 2019