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Bache-Gabrielsen VSOP Natur & Eleganse
Distiller Score 90
The color of this cognac has a very pleasant golden tint and the aromatics show classic scents of baked, white grapes, hard lemon candy, and opulent French oak. True to the product’s marketing description and perhaps in discord with the line’s name, “Eleganse,” the palate is bold and rich with a pleasant impression of grippy oak tannin. Although perhaps slightly misnamed, this would be a wonderful cognac for whisky lovers and its concentration of wood and fruit flavors would make for great New Orleans style cocktails.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Ferrand 10 Générations Cognac
Distiller Score 87
The nose if very aromatic with primary fruits like fresh grapes, apricots, and white peaches.There's a slight nutty quality as well. The cognac is soft and rich on the palate. Sweet fruit notes continue and the finish has a moderate length and a gentle spice note. With this profile and price, don't be afraid to use in a cocktail.
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 Réserve Double Cask Cognac
Distiller Score 90
Lots of fresh stone fruits such as apricots and plums on both the aroma and palate along with white grapes. The French barrel spices make an appearance bringing a bit of complexity to the cognac, but play a minor role. If you are familiar with their previous Réserve, this is quite different with the dessert wine finish really shining through here. The finish is sweet/tart with that touch of gentle barrel spices and the fruit factor is still in play. The price point doesn't really lend this to cocktail use, so sip after dinner or with the cheese course.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Augier Le Sauvage Cognac
Distiller Score 88
This rich and dense cognac has a lot going on. The nose is all tropical fruits, but on the palate, citrus and stone fruit prevails. Both the pulp and peel of tangerine and grapefruit are present, with a bit of nectarine and plum mixed in. Sharp spices of clove and black pepper add to the woody elements of the mix, and bittersweet chocolate adds an earthy tone. The finish is somewhat drying, though the fresh fruit flavors manage to linger.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Louis Royer Force 53 VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 87
There is a delightful density and balance to this cognac that makes it surprisingly sippable even at 53% ABV. The aromatics can't be missed: Notes of allspice, roasted apple, Christmas cake, amontillado sherry, and caramel come to the brink of overwhelming the senses. The palate shows similar flavors as the aroma with a more woody and herbaceous undertones. The Force gives cognac-based cocktails a rich intensity that really makes the brandy shine in your glass.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Ferrand 10 Générations Port Cask Year of the Rabbit
Distiller Score 87
Lots of primary fruits here of grapes and apples with a touch of almonds and light oak. The oak spices are moderate on the palate and add some depth to the fruity experience. The finish is decent length with a bittersweet taste, primary focusing on the grapey flavors. Could be a bit more complex, but the port adds a little extra oomph at the end. For the price it's more than serviceable to drink neat or even mix in a classic Sidecar.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Cognac du Peyrat Rare Prestige
Distiller Score 88
Brown sugar emerges first on the nose along with tinges of a dark rum & Coke, which appears to be a house trait. There's also plum and red fruit, along with Luxardo cherry syrup. The palate is soft, with a rich sweetness emerging late, showing vanilla, prunes, dark red fruits, and walnuts. The finish lingers with sweetness and no burn, before shifting to oak and wood spice.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Cognac Normandin-Mercier VSOP Petite Champagne
Distiller Score 87
The nose offers a combination of honeyed sweetness with floral notes, along with vanilla sweetness with toffee. A somewhat oily palate begins with honey and showcases straw, and a touch of black pepper and spice, along with a mix of stone and orchard fruits. A moderate length, rich finish showcases butterscotch and clover honey.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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ABK6 XO Family Reserve Cognac
Distiller Score 92
Aromas of spice road cardamom, cinnamon and clove waft out of the glass containing this rich, amber-colored Cognac. Tart, dry fruits (dates, apricot, fig) enter the palate, which has a toffee richness. The long finish is toasty and warming, with a nice hit of rancio at the end.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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
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Hennessy Privilège VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 85
The highly aromatic cognac begins with fruits, but they have moved into the dried fruit territory with raisins, apricots and dates. Floral aromas are strong as well leaning towards violets. A mulled wine aroma lingers about with the baking spices of cinnamon and clove standing out in particular. As you move into the palate, there's a tangy liveliness to the brandy with the notes from the aroma still present. There's a noticeable sweetness present, but it isn't cloying. There's just enough of a bitterness at the finish to make it interesting. This is a good step-up for beginners just getting into cognac as it isn't just all about fruit.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno