Yet another cognac tasting earlier than the tip of the yr, for those who don’t thoughts. The newest from Malternative Belgium, two bottlings for Ardour for Whisky and two from the Journal des Kirsch sequence.
We begin with Paul Beau, a model that was revived in 2023 by the Laurichesse individuals. Beau was principally promoting his spirit to bigger homes till they launched personal bottlings in 1977. It’s the father of Olivier Laurichesse who continued the home after the demise of Paul Beau, earlier than he began his personal manufacturing.
Cognac Paul Beau Lot 70 – Grande Champagne (43,11%, Malternative Belgium 2024, 290 btl.)
Nostril: jogs my memory of a candy Gewürztraminer or Muscat. Lychees, hints of flower petals, a little bit of candy almond paste. Some cinnamon and darkish honey, in addition to dried apricots. Mild caramel. Then I’m getting a really gentle savoury / nutty / mushroomy contact that’s clearly rancio however barely bothering me right here – airing helps.
Mouth: a fruity core once more, though loads of oak spice comes out as nicely. Some peach and apple, rapidly overtaken by white pepper and cinnamon, together with walnuts and drying hints of tobacco. Some sharper floral notes evolve into resinous hints, making this a bit extra intense than the ABV recommended (fortunately it was not as little as 43.1%, ha!).
End: medium to lengthy, fairly a bit drier now, with peppermint and ginger, in addition to Assam tea, nonetheless having a mineral / resinous aspect.
I’m very charmed by the type of fruitiness on the nostril, however the palate is generally outlined by oak affect. At all times good to find a brand new title, but it surely appears this primary Paul Beau isn’t on the identical stage we noticed from Laurichesse over the previous two years. Actually good cognac, let’s see the place they go from right here. Out there from Malternative Belgium.
Cognac François Peyrot Lot 61 – Grande Champagne (43,80%, OB 2024 btl.)
Nostril: fairly wealthy and jammy, on stewed purple plums, raisins and figs. Butterscotch and darkish honey. Hints of vanilla, together with worn leather-based and a contemporary combo of mint leaves and eucalyptus. Then a little bit cedar and earthy soil ultimately.
Mouth: on the richer / darker aspect once more. On the one hand purple jammy fruits, plums, dried apricots and raisins. After that extra caramelly notes (maple) and fig syrup, getting near Cream sherry. Mild cocoa. Then shiny spices, mint and a touch of candied ginger, in addition to gentle menthol within the background. Finds a pleasant steadiness general.
End: fairly lengthy. Extra of this minty / oaky theme with honey and syrupy fruits beneath.
A richer cognac for individuals with a candy tooth. It by no means turns into bloated although, there are contemporary herbs to steadiness it out. Actually good worth / high quality right here. I obtained this from Ardour for Whisky however I’m undecided the bottling is unique to them. Rating: 88/100
Cognac Mauxion 1958 – Petite Champagne (51%, OB for Ardour for Whisky 2024, 78 btl.)
Nostril: deeply fruity and really elegant. Tangerines – at all times good – alongside wih apricot, contemporary orange and mirabelles. Mint and eucalyptus, in addition to jasmine and light-weight whiffs of rose petals. Recent leather-based, refined camphor and ground polish spherical this off. Excessive class.
Mouth: citrus zest and marmalade first – orange peels and grapefruit, with a tangy trace of white pepper and a refined chalky dryness. Then it bursts open into ardour fruit and juicy apricot. Agency floral notes and vetiver too. Mint oil and light-weight resinous notes as nicely, nearly medicinal at one level.
End: extra eucalyptus and camphor with orange peels beneath, with a calmly tannic edge.
We’re attending to the upper echelons of cognac now. Excessive-pitched fruits right here with a floral edge. Actually good, although the wooden will get extra noticeable in direction of the end. Effectively, 65 years in wooden, in spite of everything. Nonetheless out there from Ardour for Whisky. Rating: 90/100
Cognac Remi Landier L.72/73 – Fins Bois (52,5%, Journal des Kirsch 2024, 150 btl.)
Nostril: stewed pears, with yellow plums, candy grapes and a touch of apricot. It’s a candy but barely restrained fruitiness because of underlying mineral notes. There’s additionally a peppery and gingery edge and refined oak polish.
Mouth: initially a bit extra rustic, but it surely bursts open properly, with shiny fruits but in addition oak. Mango, pineapple on syrup, in addition to ardour fruit sweets. Then a touch of marzipan and light-weight coconut. Beneficiant fruits and solely minor oak spice, like ginger.
End: lengthy, nonetheless deeply fruit. Additionally a touch of warming peppery oak, orange peels and dried mango slices.
Very, superb. Spherical and candy, much less glowing maybe, however having a great deal of tropical fruits together with spices. An all-rounder, suited to most palates. Rating: 90/100
Cognac Mauxion ‘Sainte-Lheurine’ Lot 45 – Petite Champagne (55,3%, Journal des Kirsch / 2024, 144 btl.)
Nostril: a whole lot of stewed apples and candy orange juice, with nectarines, quinces and orange peels. Fairly jammy, with natural honey alongside. Refined hints of tobacco leaves and the lightest trace of moss, in addition to some mint, cedar and white flowers. Stunning waxy notes too.
Mouth: peaches, fruit cake and mango, blended with natural tea, orange peels and blossoms. Nice begin. Then it will get far more mineral, with forestal honey, gentle menthol and leather-based, in addition to some black peppercorns. Floral notes and hints of tea chiming in as nicely.
End: lengthy, nonetheless displaying this minerality whereas returning to tobacco and resinous notes.
The winner of right this moment. Rather a lot to love right here, loads of class as a result of waxy / mineral edges and exquisite leather-based / mint. Nonetheless just a few bottles out there in German shops, or so it appears. Rating: 91/100
