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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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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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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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Martell VSOP Medallion Cognac
Distiller Score 83
The nose is largely dry and oaky. There's a background of red fruits, and the classic raisin-centric profile Martell tends to offer. The palate offers more red fruits, plums, prunes and raisins, along with brighter citrus, and more oak and spice. The finish is long and warm, oaky and spicy through to the end.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Cognac Park Fins Bois Single Cru Organic
Distiller Score 88
This organic offering from Park Cognac is bottled without any additives or caramel coloring, resulting in a spirit that is noticeably lighter in color than the rest of the line. It's grape-forward on the nose and spicy on the palate, with green apple and floral notes asserting themselves more prominently than the richer oak flavors one finds in most cognacs. Though it doesn't have the luxurious depth of an older, richer cognac, its bright, fruity character is a welcome change of pace.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Camus Intensely Aromatic VS Cognac
Distiller Score 89
Fragrant with ripe fruits - apples, pears and crushed grapes -underneath a layer of vanilla, caramel and ground walnuts. A light and carefully oaked brandy giving off scents of jasmine, black pepper and roasted fruit, this expression is delicately light, not too sweet nor manipulated to appeal to the mass market. Over all an outstanding VS Cognac.
Reviewed by Jack Robertiello
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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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Merlet Brothers Blend VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 84
The nose is pretty typical for a cognac of this age with notes of fresh fruits and floral notes such as orange peel, lilacs, raspberry, and roasted pears. The palate follows suit in this vein with some tobacco and vanilla thrown in with those youthful brandy notes. The finish is slightly bitter and a little off-balance, but all in all, an easy and versatile cognac.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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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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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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Cognac du Peyrat Organic Selection
Distiller Score 84
The nose offers hints of a sugary, rich rum, along with a minty and medicinal side, sharp pepper, and spice. The palate offers a supple texture, with vanilla, raisins, oak, and honey all on one hand, and a more astringent character on the other. Molasses and cola lead on a relatively quick finish, also offering vegetal notes. Clearly a young cognac, but still complex.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Camus Intensely Aromatic VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 85
Unlike so many heavily manipulated VSOP Cognacs, this one is delicate and aromatically floral - roses, peonies opening into prunes and vanilla. On the palate, oaky vanilla, rich and caramel spiced with nutmeg along with toasted nuts. Supple and enticing with a slightly biter finish.
Reviewed by Jack Robertiello