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Rémy Martin Louis XIII Cognac
Distiller Score 99
A tantalizing, rich nose unfolds in layers, with a floral bouquet of violets and jasmine followed by butterscotch and creamy vanilla, and finally hints of earthy leather, mushrooms, and oak. The palate is almost sticky and resinous it's so concentrated, offering honey, dates, dried orange peel, fig jam, and nuts, as well as nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. This continues into a luscious, lengthy finish which evolves as it keeps going and going. Bright bursts of raspberries and another floral flourish at the back, alongside cigar box and well worn leather to close the show.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Hennessy XO Cognac
Distiller Score 92
There's a hefty layer of spice on the nose, with cinnamon and black pepper, along with citrus zest, and dried fruits. On the palate, find a complex and smooth profile, with dark chocolate and softer vanilla, as well as prunes and red fruits, and sweeter candied fruits. The finish is long, easy and warming, leaving behind cocoa, plums and light touches of spice and oak.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Jean & Roger Glemet 1979 Cognac
Distiller Score 98
This is an incredibly hedonistic style of cognac with notes of condensed toffee, summer flowers, and rich chocolate milk. That is not to say that this is a "sweet" spirit -- supple but refined wood tannins give this brandy an incredible complexity and a long, indulgent finish with a creamy concentration. This is a world class cognac -- absolutely worth the splurge!
Reviewed by John Rankin
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CAMUS XO Borderies Single Estate
Distiller Score 90
CAMUS XO Borderies Single Estate is a beautiful red-hued mahogany in the glass. The nose is fruity upfront, with grape jelly, peaches and cream, candied pineapples, and violets, along with an earthy underside, with wet soil, leather, and oak. The palate continues the fruity profile with quince and dried apricots plus sweetness from agave syrup and cane sugar, along with cedar and peppermint. The finish is pleasant though short, with tannic, spicy oak, and dark chocolate covered raspberries.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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HINE Antique XO 100th Anniversary 1920-2020
Distiller Score 93
Aromas of sweet meadow flowers and ripe orchard fruits billow straight from the glass. More soothing aromatics like honeysuckle and rose petal mix with earthy tobacco and black tea notes before landing on a ripe fruit (soft pear, apricot, fresh green grapes and golden apple) cushion. The finish is honeyed and spicy, with a faint walnut rancio and more of that ripe orchard fruit.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Guillon Painturaud Hors d'Age Cognac
Distiller Score 92
The aromatics are borderline hypnotic. Ever evolving notes of sandalwood, leather, dried figs, and orange rind begin your journey before anise, dried flowers, and vanilla show up. The palate is deep and complex with more figs, sweet potatoes, and baking spices. Tobacco, dried herbs, and a seemingly never ending array of flavors seem to be discovered with each additional sip. Elegant and precisely balanced, this is an absolutely beautiful cognac with which to spend your evening.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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ABK6 Extra Cognac
Distiller Score 94
This medium-amber colored cognac gives off quite a whiff of incense at the beginning. However, the palate evens out, with rich flavors of toffee, vanilla, citrus peel, stewed stone fruits and dried figs. A touch of fresh honey keeps the pronounced woody nuances in check. The finish is somewhat drying in keeping with older cognac, but enough of it lingers on to beg for additional sips.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Delamain Vesper XO Grande Champagne Cognac
Distiller Score 92
The nose is ripe with dried fruit, ripe banana, baking spices and forest floor. On the palate it's rich almost to the point of being chewy and is fairly tannic. The flavors consist of maple, candy apple, lemon peel, fresh figs and burnt sugar. An intense but fairly approachable XO cognac with all of the density and depth you would expect.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Martell XO Cognac
Distiller Score 88
The nose offers a spicy, peppery mix with oak. Also find citrus and dried red fruits. The palate offers robust, big flavors, ranging from plums and raisins, to a layered mix of earthy, nutty and lighter rancio flavors. A warm, lengthy finish offers oak, more pepper and spice, along with raisins, figs and added red fruits.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Gauthier Tres Vieux Grande Champagne Cognac
Distiller Score 86
The aroma is full of dried fruits mixed well with barrel spices, and though this isn't incredibly complex, it is satisfying. Golden dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and prunes stand out in particular and this follows suit on the taste. Dark honey comes in to tie everything together along with gentle barrel spices and there is a warmth that continues on the long finish which ends up on the bitter side.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Guillon-Painturaud Renaissance Grande Champagne Cognac
Distiller Score 95
The aromas are rich and intense. The first thing you are presented with is butter but that is quickly followed by rhubarb, ginger, caramel and magic marker (in a good way). There's just as much concentration on the palate with notes of nuts, roasted pear, cacao nibs, orange peel and dates. This cognac is fairly esoteric and very much a thinking person's cognac!
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Frérot Extra Grand Champagne Cognac
Distiller Score 88
Violets and irises offer a floral opening to the nose, followed by raspberries, butterscotch, beeswax, and a bit of musty old cellar. The palate begins softly, showing a basket of orchard fruits—apples, pears, plums—and moving into caramel, maple syrup, and towards the back, leathery and earthy flavors. The finish lingers with honey-drizzled fruits, cacao, chai, and tannic oak.
Reviewed by Jake Emen