I already talked about the quantity of cognac samples on my desk was getting out of hand. Right here is the second batch, specializing in Vallein Tercinier and Grosperrin.
We begin with a mix of 20% 1922 and 80% 1952, from a small property in La Brousse. I consider it was additionally bottled within the official Grosperrin bottles at a distinct second.
Grosperrin N°52-22 ‘Fins Bois’ (46,6%, Grosperrin for Swell de Spirits 2021, 40 btl.)
Nostril: lighter fruity notes (tangerines, orange zests, yellow plums, bitter cherries) with darker gingerbread and nougat. Superb rancio and an entire collection of natural touches: mint, eucalyptus, thyme. Some nutty notes and a really mild mushroomy layer within the background.
Mouth: a quite oily begin, bursting open into pretty shiny fruits. Ardour fruits and pink grapefruits throughout, mixing with bitter mango and papaya, mint, hints of jasmin and ginger. Later chamomile tea, floral honey, leather-based and aniseed. Refined tobacco leaves as properly. All fairly light-footed and superbly contemporary. Glorious!
End: fairly lengthy, floral, with acidic fruits, hints of fruit tea and honeysuckle.
An ideal begin. This has an ideal class and splendidly juicy, vibrant fruits. I’m considering this will likely be a benchmark for the remainder of the session – we’re setting excessive requirements. The small consequence is offered out at Swell de Spirits, I consider.
Grosperrin N°33-39 ‘Grande Champagne’ (47,4%, Grosperrin for Wu Dram Clan 2021, 36 btl.)
Nostril: Barely extra dusty and closed at first, with hints of polished oak. In a second wave the fruits come out: peaches, mirabelles, plum pastries. Barely extra jammy than the 52-22, barely extra oak-driven as properly. Mint syrup, eucalyptus, natural tea and hints of chestnuts too.
Mouth: identical feeling. The oak is extra distinguished right here, however it’s superbly elegant. General it will get extra sturdy, with darker fruits (figs, pink plums) in addition to some liquorice and tobacco. Hints of apples with cinnamon. Getting drier over time, whereas additionally growing hints of potpourri.
End: fairly lengthy, with rounded wooden, a touch of espresso and fruit syrups.
Additionally actually nice. This performs in a darker register, with a bit extra oak affect, however stays very balanced and extremely drinkable on the identical time. Rating: 91/100
Vallein Tercinier Small Batch 41-43 ‘Bon Bois’ (48,2%, OB for Kirsch Import 2021)
Nostril: this jumps out of the glass, with polished oak, guava and pink grapefruit. Later additionally whitecurrant and mirabelles. Fragrant grapes too, clearly. Tiny notes of cigar leaves, minerals, floral notes and many others. Which will appear much like those above, however it’s a notch extra open and attractive.
Mouth: identical feeling of rapid seduction. The type of fruitiness you get in Nineteen Sixties whisky: ardour fruits, pink grapefruit, hints of papaya and berries. Later extra rancio notes seem, in addition to almonds and fruit tea. There’s all the time a pleasant mineral be aware beneath as properly.
End: medium, now changing into rounder and sweeter, extra on cherries and raspberries.
That is shortly changing into a loopy session. Vallein Tercinier presents a extremely fragrant, vibrant cognac from World Battle II. Nice choice work, and that is Bon Bois? Gorgeous! Rating: 92/100
Vallein Tercinier Lot 75 ‘Petite Champagne’ (51,7%, GrapeDiggaz 2021, 252 btl.)
Nostril: an identical fragrant openness. There are juicy pears and winery peaches and Cantaloupe melons, with honeyed notes and maybe a little bit late harvest wine. Refined mint and polished wooden.
Mouth: very contemporary with loads of spearmint notes, verbena and dried Mediterranean herbs. Lemon peels. There’s a refined trace of oak char and a agency resinous be aware in direction of the tip.
End: lengthy, nonetheless resinous and barely woody, with menthol, caramel and lightweight chocolate.
That is far more natural and missing the brilliant (tropical) fruity notes that we’re anticipating from Vallein Tercinier. Actually good however it struggles to shine after the wonderful 41-43. Rating: 89/100
The following bottling initially comes from winemaker André Bertandeau, who died in 2016. It was then purchased by Grosperrin and bottled completely for Whizita / Flickenschild in Germany.
Grosperrin N°71 ‘Petite Champagne’ (52,3%, OB for Flickenschild 2021, 150 btl.)
Nostril: barely extra sturdy once more, with wealthy plums, raisins and fruit cake, some cinnamon pastry and tobacco notes. Hints of vanilla, previous roses and white chocolate. Rancio (nuts), juicy mirabelles, leafy notes and moist oak within the background.
Mouth: once more fairly wealthy. There’s toffee, stewed figs and plums, dried apricots and a few lemony brightness. Orange peels. Mint and verbena. Fading on fruit tea.
End: lengthy, barely drying, with extra of the fruit tea merging with dried natural notes and loads of mint.
Very wealthy, with an amazing stability between juicy fruits and a sturdy basis of oak. We began this session with even higher Grosperrins although. That is nonetheless obtainable from Whizita. Rating: 90/100
Grosperrin N°65 ‘Borderies’ (56,7%, Swell de Spirits 2021, 144 btl.)
Nostril: numerous oranges right here, alongside floral notes (potpourri), bananas, ardour fruits and exquisite rancio notes. Hints of ginger within the background, but additionally creamy notes of white chocolate. After some time some oak spice comes out, mainlycloves.
Mouth: actually fruity and properly acidic. Oranges, marmalade but additionally a pleasant burst of ardour fruits and pink grapefruits. My kinda profile. After this shiny onset it will get extra natural and dry, with a touch of varnished oak and darkish tea. Hints of liquorice and cloves once more.
End: lengthy, drier now, with floral notes (violets), ginger and refined resinous notes.
In any case these high-end cognacs I’ve developed a candy spot for Borderies, and this can be a nice instance. The dryness in the long run prevents me to go increased although. I consider that is nonetheless obtainable from Swell de Spirits. Rating: 91/100
Grosperrin N°78-85 ‘Borderies’ (57,1%, Cognac Sponge 2021, 100° proof, 165 btl.)
Nostril: full but compact but barely rummy maybe. Bananas, oranges, with some earlier wooden varnish and a type of fatty / waxy be aware. More energizing pine notes and mint, in addition to some pepper. Extra Highlands than Speyside, however the tough high quality provides character.
Mouth: a properly compact, candy however pretty distinctive onset, nearly candied. Plums, some syrupy and jammy fruits, oranges and tropical fruit sweet. Pretty oily. Later it will get extra natural and minty, exhibiting extra oaky spice as properly. Actually voluminous.
End: lengthy and changing into fairly dry, on sappy oak, candy grapes and natural notes.
This Cognac Sponge choice turns the Borderies roughness right into a Highlands model, whereas displaying rummy fruits as properly. Nice choice. Offered out. Rating: 90/100
