| |
Dwelling
1000’s of tastings,
all of the music,
all of the rambligs
and all of the enjoyable
(hopefully!)
Whiskyfun.com
Assured ad-free
copyright 2002-2022
|
 |
|
| Hello, that is certainly one of our (virtually) each day tastings. Santé! |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
April 3, 2022
|
|
  |
|
Cognacs and armagnac, intertwined
|
 |
I agree it’s extra orthodox to have solely cognacs for instance, and even solely Borderies or Petite champagne, however life is brief and we’re no specialists. Our intention on Sundays is to maximise our enjoyable, that is all. Thanks in your consideration and understanding.
|
|
|
Drouet et FIls 7 yo 2010/2017 ‘Advantageous Méline’ (40%, OB, cognac, grande champagne, 1500 bottles) 
That is the sooner launch, they’ve then finished a 2012 at 42% vol. which sounds, nicely, sounder, however that is, certainly, the sooner, lighter one at 40%. It’s pure ugni blanc and, apparently, was well-filtered earlier than distillation, or at the least distilled with out the lees, for lighter, rounder outcomes. Color: golden amber. Nostril: very gentle certainly, moderately all on jams and liqueurs (melon and peaches), with a couple of raisins and a small toasted aspect, in addition to a bit of cigarette tobacco (opening a brand new pack, once we have been nonetheless doing that, twenty years in the past, these smells appear to stay unforgettable). Additionally dandelions and orange blossom. I consider Drouet is a really high quality home. Mouth: very gentle and recent, however not too skinny, with moderately a whole lot of caramel, fudge, raisins and a contact of menthol and liquorice. Some white chocolate and a bit of muscovado and williams pears. The center is thinner, whereas the… End: is brief, with a bit of butterscotch, marmalade and chestnut honey. Feedback: excellent composition, I believe, however the wattage is actually too low for us. It is like once we have been making an attempt to maneuver some large AR audio system utilizing these new Japanese 2 X 25W amps, again within the early Nineteen Seventies. Proper.
SGP:531 – 82 factors. |
|
|
Dupeyron 2004 (40%, OB, armagnac, +/-2020) 
These are typically branded Dupeyron, typically J. Dupeyron and typically Ryst-Dupeyron. The home is positioned in Condom and I actually prefer it that they’d nonetheless use these outdated flat ‘basquaise’ bottles, a.ok.a. tennis bottles. Color: golden amber. Nostril: there are huge variations, particularly a firmer, earthier profile, some acetic, acetone-y notes that might remind us of high-ester spirits (is that this grand arôme armagnac?) in addition to some calvados and bitter wines, outdated barrels, musty outdated cellar, acidic espresso and ‘older’ oranges. All issues that we take pleasure in quite a bit on the nostril, thoughts you. Mouth: similar profile on the palate, varnish and acetone, apple wine, liquorice wooden, brunt wooden, inexperienced pears, toasts… Solely the low power, this time once more, is fairly irritating by malt whisky requirements. End: a bit of quick, however with beautiful notes of outdated rancio, very outdated Rivesaltes and, for that matter, calvados. Feedback: the home may be very a lot within the enterprise of birthday bottles, however that doesn’t imply that the juices aren’t good. Quite the opposite, I discover this fantastically old-school.
SGP:451 – 85 factors. |
|
|
Pierre Ferrand 2009/2021 ‘Single Cask’ (48.4%, OB, Grande champagne, for fifteenth Anniversary The Nectar, 354 bottles)
Ex- 100 years outdated oloroso casks, so clearly correct ex-solera, but it surely would not say whether or not that is full-maturation or solely a end, right here you go. Color: deep gold. Nostril: apricot liqueur, large juicy sultanas, rose petals, Turkish delights, gewurztraminer, a curious muscaty aspect, additionally certainly one of our beloved recent panettones. It is extremely fragrant, not oloroso-y (as in an ex-oloroso malt whisky) and with out a lot walnut wine, however I do additionally discover some pipe tobacco. Very good nostril, feeling a bit of older than simply 10 or 11. Mouth: a bit of syrupy at first, however pine honeydew, pistachios, walnuts and liquorice are quickly to grab management, which works a deal with and would even result in a bit of outdated pu-her tea. Walnuts would even are likely to develop into dominant; the actual fact is, I am the life President of the French Walnut Membership (yeah yeah). End: moderately lengthy, on walnut liqueur, with extra liquorice and a contact of candy mustard. A little bit leather-based within the aftertaste. Feedback: I acquired a bit of scared at first, however these fantastic walnuts did an important job.
SGP:561 – 86 factors. |
|
|
Veuve Goudoulin 2000/2021 (48.3%, LMDW, Model Française, Bas-armagnac, 300 bottles) 
Veuve Goudoulin, in Courrensan within the Gers, are négociants, they don’t develop their very own vines or distil themselves. They belong to the Miclo household, who’re well-known distillers right here in Alsace. Color: gold. Nostril: a big pack of honey candies and simply correct all-flower honey. I do not suppose I’ve ever nosed a spirit that was this a lot on honey, not even Highland Park from ‘that’ period. A couple of touches of candy cider as nicely, a lot in a while… Mouth: far more floral and grassy, with winey touches, a drop of apple vinegar, edible pansies, a bit of blond tobacco, then extra leaves, whereas it is actually getting dry and fully on the different finish of the spectrum after that massively honeyed nostril. End: dry, moderately oaky. Feedback: as a fan of bees, I completely adored the nostril and even the arrival on the palate, however I consider the country woodiness moderately took over later. Nonetheless of fairly prime quality.
SGP:551 – 83 factors. |
|
|
Maison Prunier 1996 (49.5%, OB, Fins bois, for Wine4you, +/-2022) 
Maison Prunier are négociants/blenders within the metropolis of Cognac for the reason that 18th century, with an enormous – however we have by no means seen it ourselves – paradis. We’ll have a moderately ‘younger’ one right this moment as an alternative, holding in thoughts that for some pleasant Scottish homes, this may already be ‘extraordinarily outdated’. Color: gold. Nostril: I prefer it whenever you’re round oils, sunflower, peanuts, even colza… And maize bread, Assam, almonds, amaretti, peaches, acacia flowers, woodruff, honeysuckle, chamomile… I simply love all these flowers that you wouldn’t fairly discover in older cognacs. Mouth: wonderful! Fig jam, extra flowers, honeys, stewed peaches and tangerines, a bit of pepper, liquorice, contact of mint and pine resin… End: medium, recent, fruity, on just about the identical notes. Citrons and tangerines within the aftertaste, which is superior. Feedback: I used to be having this sense… Now bear in mind that is 25 years outdated, already.
SGP:651 – 89 factors. |
|
Let’s attempt to discover a worthy opponent…
|
|
|
Dartigalongue 1993/2021 (46.3%, OB, Bas-armagnac, 932 bottles)
A well known home in Nogaro within the Gers, the place you may as well race your vehicles (earlier than you drink armagnac). I imply, maybe not your Twingo or your Tesla… This one’s pure folle blanche, and it is attention-grabbing that they’d write ‘récolte 1993’, stressing the truth that vintages are about harvests, contrarily to what they’d do in Scotland, the place they might use older barley, or ever re-dry some. Nicely, unsure they preserve doing that. Color: amber. Nostril: that is conventional armagnac, with varnish, tobacco, chocolate, espresso, prunes, then marmalade and liquorice. It’s each full and compact, a bit rustic and stylish, and simply sufficiently grapey to remind you that armagnac is made out of grapes. Nicely, out of wine. Mouth: a tad more durable, spicier than the cognac, grittier, however that is additionally what you are anticipating from some armagnac (even when that cognac was a fins bois, whereas in my ebook the three ‘bois’ may be paying homage to armagnac, however we will talk about this later, maybe). Good, one factor is bound, that is wonderful armagnac, with simply the correct quantity of every thing, espresso, grass, tobacco, prunes, raisins, chocolate… End: similar. Excellent, very a lot ‘on location’, as say Ardbeg may be. Feedback: I would want two magnums of every to have the ability to let you know (possibly) which I like greatest, however that might be a bit of unreasonable.
SGP:551 – 89 factors. |
|
|
Daniel Bouju ‘Le Brûlé Lot 60’ (50.5%, Malternative Belgium, Grande Champagne, 2022, 246 bottles) 
A model new one so I have never discovered a lot on-line at time of writing, however what I do know, once we attempt our personal eaux-de-vie that we’re making with buddies yearly for the reason that early Nineties, is that once we say ‘le brûlé’ that might seek advice from a batch that is been a bit of overcooked in a nonetheless ‘that went too scorching’. And but you could possibly have good surprises a couple of a long time later… Color: LOL, le brûlé might additionally seek advice from the color, that is like espresso. Nostril: no ‘burnt’ notes, moderately beautiful clear molasses, actually a whole lot of chocolate by all one of the best makers on this planet, a big pack of dried dates, and a few soy sauce, Maggi, gravies, onion soup and whatnot. With water: it adores water and simply takes off. Say peonies and chocolate. What an superior mixture on the nostril. Mouth (neat): it occurs that freshmen would declare that every one cognacs are the identical (similar with whisky by the way in which, simply ask my pricey spouse), however this stunning wealthy concoction that is filled with chocolate and tobacco will simply show the opposite. Notes of tamarind, wee black figs, Russian (I do know) black tea… With water: oh, refined earths, coffees, sweets… End: medium and by no means too dry, regardless of all this espresso and chocolate. A contact of Nutella within the aftertaste (you are fired!) Feedback: completely keen on this. They’d forgive you for those who stated this was a Fifties/Sixties Longmorn or Strathisla by G&M.
SGP: 651- 91 factors. |
|
We’ll moderately select a youthful armagnac on this difficult state of affairs…
|
|
|
Château de Millet 1989/2019 (42%, OB, Bas-armagnac)
Some single-estate Armagnac made out of baco and ugni in Eauze, presumably the capital metropolis of Armagnac (please no politics, there are a number of different capital cities!) As usually, they’d fill a couple of bottles each time there’s demand, which explains why you’d discover the identical juice with numerous dates of bottling. The value right here is insanely low, presumably that of a miniature of Mac****n from the identical classic. Color: purple amber. Nostril: explodes with butterscotch, caramel and chestnut honey. Then pu-ehr, varnish, teak oil, liquorice, grilled marrow, toffee, glutamate and that loopy factor we might solely know of in France, ‘Carambar’. Mouth: scandalously salty, soupy, chocolaty and fruity. That is some sauce that you could possibly pour over foie gras, Bordeaux ceps, morels or black truffle. Want I say extra? End: moderately lengthy, extra fermentary, vegetal, virtually tarry. Fantastic chocolate and all the time these touches of monosodium glutamate. Please forgive me. Feedback: not my enterprise however all distillers are my buddies, so I say I might 1. Bottle at 45% and a couple of. Ask for 300€ (good, 299€) as an alternative of, ach, how embarrassing… 69€. Not even certain you get a miniature of 1989 Mac****n for that value. The world is such a rotten place.
SGP:451 – 90 factors. |
|
|
Domaine de Maouhum 1990/2022 ‘Flashback’ (46%, Swell de Spirit, Bas-armagnac)
100% baco. Baco’s stated to drive you loopy… however presumably provided that you drink it as wine. Maintain on, Bureau Nationwide Interprofessionel de l’Armagnac (a.ok.a BNIA), our legal professionals want to speak… Color: reddish amber. Nostril: varnish, outdated upholstery, restored dashboard of an outdated Jaguar, then gentler caramel cream, ganache, one black olive (hurray) and a few outdated high-proof amontillado, full with acetic traits and the greenest inexperienced walnuts. Mouth: on the oaky aspect for certain, and that is maybe why they known as this sequence ‘flashback’, as that is moderately armagnac as my household used to drink it, earlier than loopy whisky individuals reminiscent of your really began to ask for fruits, jams, flowers and, nicely, ‘vanilla’. End: lengthy and old-school certainly, that’s to say with far more grassy and varnishy woodiness. Feedback: exhausting to attain. It is like for those who would choose that outdated Jag we have been speaking about as if it have been a Lexus or an hybrid BMW. Or a Tesla Mannequin 3, or a Hyundai Kona… LIfe is just not humorous anymore, is it.
SGP:362 – 87 factors. |
|
Joyful Sunday to you… (What, what trick?)
|
|
(Thanks Michael and all different buddies)
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
