-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Cognac Dudognon Reserve
Distiller Score 89
The immediately recognizable delicate, pale straw color continues to the cognac's lovely, but understated aromas. That's not to say that the aromas are not there, but they focus on sea salt, lemon skin, and violet over the rich butterscotch flavors of more manipulated brandies. The palate starts a bit simple with tones of vanilla, French oak, and more floral tones. It then finishes with a fairly hard mineral/tannic kick. A very good cognac that hints at the greatness that Dudognon can achieve when allowed to rest. Kudos for showing Grande Champagne's strength as a young spirit without the handicapping of sugary additions.
Reviewed by John Rankin
-
Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal Cognac
Distiller Score 90
Rich fruit, oak, and hints of butterscotch are found on the nose with a soft, sweetness on the initial entry to the palate. Notes of dried plum, raisins and caramels start things off. As the spirit moves off the palate, it becomes drier, with white pepper, oak, and some vanilla along with a lightly floral note. The finish is satisfying and generous, with oak, raisin, hazelnut and dark chocolate flavors evident.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
De Luze VS Cognac
Distiller Score 85
Butterscotch and oak get the nose started, followed by grape jelly, dates, and prunes. The palate has a flash of heat that then dissipates to a rather soft feel, with peanut brittle, lavender and delicate berries. The finish is warming and moderately lengthy, with astringent oak, beeswax, sugar-coated grapes, and fruit syrup.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
-
Marquis de la Fayette VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 86
The nose offers berries and cream, vanilla, crème brûlée and incense. The palate is rounded and velvety, with overarching floral tones along with orchard fruits and baked apple galettes. In the background there are also faint grass and chili pepper notes. The short finish showcases oak, leather, cinnamon, cardamom, and honeyed fruits.
Reviewed by Jake Emen