Here's my typical issue when shopping: specifically with brandy, I am very inexperienced and uneducated, so I'm looking for a well-reviewed bottle. However, after years of collecting many types of spirits, my standards are unfortunately too high to buy anything of poor or cheap quality. What's the solution? Buy 2 different VSOPs so I don't feel bad about using any of my now 4 for mixing. I think this is how libraries of liquor get built... If so, I'm on a good track. The color is nice and deep, which I'm to understand should be in part from the grapes themselves, but with up to 15 years of age in this, one would believe that the oak had to imprint part of this red-brown color. There's a musty scent that I'm familiar with related to quality, cellared red wine, but also a brighter, fruity note, somewhat tropical in nature. There's some slight caramelized sugar, similar to a rum scent, but the fruitiness is the leading scent. The initial flavor is extra sweet raisins, and then more fruit join the party. I get notes of a full fruit basket that's been sun-dried for half a day; musty and slightly jammy, but still plenty sweet. There's plenty of good, fresh oak flavor, but not raw. You can tell there is good age behind this, as both the fruit and oak flavors are very potent, but not overpowering, and they blend together well. The finish is more of the same, but there is a surprising hot note that's not expected from just an 80 proof cognac. Again, I have very little tasting experience with brandy, but this hits all of my expectations, little as they may be. However, the taste is simple, yet flavorful and still full of good oak from the age. Plus, having any type of burn on the finish of an 80 proof spirit is a pro for me, despite it being the opposite for many others. For not being able to find proper, imported cognac from smaller distilleries, this bottle does a great stand-in job, and is at a decent price point.