Review #44 - Brandy / Cognac #6 Bought in Budapest Airport in a 50ml bottle, on offer with the Glenfiddich VAT 01 50ml for 7 euros the pair, which seems like a very good deal for trying out a cognac. It has an orange-amber colour, being quite oily in the glass. Nose - not the smoothest nose, quite a bit of alcohol and spice, oaky woodiness, orange marmelade, vanilla, sweet, fruity. Palate - There is a notable burn from the alcohol which is a bit surprising for a VSOP, yet there is not much of the spice which is a characteristic for younger cognacs (mellow on the palate). There is also a lot of fruitiness, sweetness, the same orange marmelade from the nose, similar to a brandy like Metaxa 12*, with some honey, and grape and plum aroma as well besides the oak. Finish - Short-medium, chocolate, that then turns intro a cocoa woody dryness towards the aftertaste. There is still some fruity sweetness, and a slight bitterness as well. It is a decent cognac, especially given the lower price. Not the smoothest, not the highest quality, but decent, fruity and quite enjoyable. Rating System: 5.0 - Legendary 4.5 - Exceptional 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Average 2.0 - Below Average 1.5 - Barely Drinkable 1.0 - Undrinkable 0.5 - JB