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Martell VS Single Distillery
Distiller Score 87
A rich fruitiness shows on the nose highlighted by raspberries along with herbal and grassy notes which work together for a somewhat vermouth-like aroma. An oily palate at first shows more fruits, here with canned fruit syrup, tart cherries, raspberries and blackberries, as well as chocolate and nuttiness. Finish is short and smooth with oak and spice taking their turn in front of that distinct raspberry note.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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H by HINE VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 86
The nose is fresh and fruity with a youthful and lively aroma. Peaches, apricots, white grape juice and vibrant floral notes are found on both the nose and palate. Soft wood spices and just a gentle prickle of cinnamon along with a subtle nutty quality provide a modest depth to the cognac. As it is young, the finish is short, but that is to be expected. This is a solid cognac for cocktail use.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac
Distiller Score 89
A fair amount of apricot and pear aromas with some orange peel thrown in for good measure. Mild woody notes appear with just a dash of savory spices and black tea. The cognac continues on the palate with the fruit notes but there's a waxy component as well. The finish is more bittersweet and finishes with a slight almond note.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Chateau de Montifaud Napoléon Fine Petite Champagne
Distiller Score 92
The nose offers floral notes, with vanilla, plum, raisins, and honey. The palate is smooth, and layered but cohesive, with strands of honeyed fruits, vanillins, and oak. A moderate length finish begins with rich crème brûlée and brown sugar, along with dark red fruits and maple syrup. This is followed by a spicy, oaky side with touches of black pepper comes on at the tail end.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Pierre Ferrand Original Formula 1840 Cognac
Distiller Score 85
The aromas are a pleasant mix without one dominating the other of ripe pears, wax, green grapes, and delicate floral notes. These notes don't differ much on the palate but there are added elements of mint and crushed peanuts on its creamy texture. Though this isn't really designed as a sipping cognac, you could certainly do worse.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Camus VSOP Elegance Cognac
Distiller Score 90
This accessible cognac offers a melody of baking spices and roasted fruits like poached pears, baked apples, and dried figs. Butterscotch ties them all together. It starts off sweet on the tongue but not overly so, with all the previously mentioned flavors to follow with just the right amount of heat. Smooth from start to finish, the cognac is elegant and very easy to drink. Enjoy after dinner with poached pears or dark chocolate.
Reviewed by Kelley Slagle
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Paul Beau VS Grande Champagne Cognac
Distiller Score 85
This is a great value for a young cognac. Instead of heavy oak and caramel tones, this brandy has light, summer honey and floral aromatics. The palate is clean, and belies a pleasant, creamy character. Delicious on its own in a refreshing way, but this is also priced fairly for outrageous Sidecar and Sazerac cocktails.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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ABK6 VSOP Single Estate Cognac
Distiller Score 90
This is an impressively well-balanced cognac for one in this age category. There is a pleasant aroma of baking pastry, vanilla, and toasty oak upon the nose. On the palate, blood orange and berry jam with a sprinkling of clove, cedar and pine cone are discovered. This light-bodied brandy is very easy to sip neat and would easily stand up to cocktails calling for brandy.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Davidoff VS Cognac
Distiller Score 82
This cognac has invitingly soft aromas of ripe apricots and orange blossom. Those notes carry through on the palate, along with nutty and wildflower honey flavors. Though it's largely fruity and slightly sweet, there's a bit of a spiced edge to this three-year-old VS and heavier, dried apricot-forward finish. It's would make a solid option for cocktails, like Mint Juleps and Sidecars.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Maxime Trijol VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 81
The nose leans heavily on stone fruits like apricots and white peaches along with green grapes and orange peel. The cognac is soft and sweet on your tongue with only a slight tannic note from the wood aging. Those same stone fruits, only dried, appear on the finish which is warming and not bitter.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif Cognac
Distiller Score 74
Lots of young grape-y aromas come through on the nose here, with a Hawaiian Fruit punch quality on the soft palate. Any wood and spicy aromas are hard to uncover with all this fruit in the way. There is next to no complexity and even less finesse.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Dobbé VS Cognac
Distiller Score 87
Dobbé VS has an amber hue and a striking note of red currants on the nose. That fruitiness continues to a bright a lively palate, bringing to mind ripe cherries and marzipan candy, and fading into almond and vanilla on the finish. Light-bodied and easy to enjoy, consider this a reminder that cognac can be fun.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier