Nose - pear, grape, chocolate, sawdust, cinnamon, mint, orange, dry vanilla, old wood, yeast, floral notes, perfume, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - ripe pear, grape, orange zest, caramel, cherry, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, allspice, spearmint, slightly tannic oak, chocolate, herbal undertones, moderate alcohol bite, finishing reasonably fast with mint, pepper, and bitter oak flavors. I think this is a decent cognac, but there’s nothing particularly special about it. I like it better than the VS offerings from the big houses, but slightly less than the A De Fussigny Sélection (and much less than their XO). I use this primarily as a mixer, as I find the extra proof holds up better in cocktails, but it’s not a terrible sipper on its own. As an entry level cognac, it’s alright. I plan to continue stocking it for sidecars and other brandy-forward drinks, unless I come across something better in the price range.