Rémy Martin XO Cognac

Yes, I know. Big commercial brand, highly blended, contains caramel colouring... But this is an excellent cognac. The nose is complex, ripe fruits, citrus peel, spice, leather, oak, a touch of sandalwood... The mouthfeel is smooth and sophisticated. The taste? Fruity, but more along the lines of ripe plums and cooked peaches. There's a hint of spice and then the oak comes through, along with dried fruit and a faint touch of smoke. This remains one of my favourites.