Gourrey de Chadeville Overproof

A cask strength Brandy by Gourry de Chadeville Distillery in Cognac, France produced exclusively for PM Spirits from 100% Ugni Blanc grapes & bottled at 55% ABV. The wine is double distilled on the lees in a 25-hectoliter copper pot-still. It was aged for a total of 3 years — 30 months in seasoned Limousin oak & 6 months in foudre. Only 330 bottles made it into the United States last year. It has an aromatic birth with notes of raisin, dried apple, saddle leather, and yellow cake; while a dry & full life adds notes of apple & pear; that led to a long & warming death with notes of fire, grain, wheat & dried fruit. July 2019

While I generally love Overproof everything, I can't recommend this. There's no denying that this is an intense burst of flavor, but the flavor is not one that I want in my cognac (or brandy or spirits in general). The nose is licorice first and foremost, with an undercurrent of ginger, candied orange, and a touch of burnt sugar. After a minute, the nose opens up into a bouquet of candied fruit of various types including peaches, cherry, and some type of flower. The flavor is full to bursting, but the youth is undeniable. It reminds me of some lower quality light whiskeys that I've had. The first image that comes to mind is licorice flavored ginger shortbread cookie (which is not a flavor shortbread I've ever heard of). One senses a wisp of baked apple in the front before being met with oak and lavender. Overwhelmingly, the first and second flavors I walk away with are licorice and lavender. It's not really a combination I can say I care for. Then again, I've never cared for licorice flavor in anything.

Not quite as complex as one would hope, but does have nice, spicy, peppery aromas with a taste centered around apples. And it’s obviously pretty hot, being overproof - works better with a few drops of water. Not entirely sure this tasting made me see much value in the concept of overproof Cognac.

Smokey. Peaty