1 | Spirits | Cognac, $100 and up

"Rich, spicy aromas of waxy fruits, toffeed nuts, orange tea, and potpourri. A satiny, vibrant entry leads to a rich, unctuous dryish medium-full body of sweet toffee, warm raisin compote, and smoky minerality. Finishes with a supple fade of star anise, fruity caramel, toasted oak. A lush and voluptuous Cognac."

"Rich baked pear, orange marmalade, and spice aromas. A supple entry leads to a round, dryish medium body of dried fruits, dusty brown spices, and light toffee flavors. Finishes with pleasant anise and nuts flavors amid the wood spices and minerals. A balanced, elegant style."

"Sunset-orange color. Savory bouquet is ripe and fruity through all sniffings. The stunningly elegant flavors marry ripe pear, roasted almond and apricot scents to cheese-like rancio. Finishes firmly and long. An opulent, plump style." 90-95 pts.

"The youngest eau-de-vie in this legendary blend is 50 years old. 100% Grande Champagne. Amber color. Harmonious, hallmark bouquet of blue cheese-like rancio, truffles, roasted chestnuts and prunes; the aroma stays firm and concentrated through 10 minutes of nosing. Accessible, satiny smooth at palate entry, then at midpalate the flavor profile turns semisweet, profound and pruny. Finishes gracefully, almost like a ghost on the tongue. Lovely." 90-95 pts.

"Aromas are ripe and melony, then turn deep with subtle hints of walnut, butter cream, oak and marzipan—a sensational bouquet. Right from palate entry the fruit concentration is perfectly balanced by a resiny, cheesy oakiness that blossoms at midpalate along with succulent tastes of raisins, vanilla and butterscotch. Finishes stately, almost chunky. The touch of rancio in the aftertaste puts it over the top. Gorgeous." 96-100 pts.

"Deep copper chestnut aromas. Polished, high toned aromas of buttery caramel, artisan chocolate covered apricots and apples, anise, and roasted nuts. A rich yet supple entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity full body of dense dried fruit, nut, sweet spice, chocolate, and cigar box flavors. Finishes with an exceptionally long finish of toffee, leather, chocolate covered espresso bean, anise cookies, tobacco, and lavish brown spices. A gentle giant of a cognac to contemplate and savor. An ideal cigar Cognac."

"The eaux-de-vie range in age from 10 to 70 years. Deep amber/chestnut brown hue. Nose is opulent, elegant and emits mature aromas of cheese-like rancio, black tea leaves, raisins and oak. In the mouth, this XO displays melded tastes of astringent oaky tannins, ripe grapes and toffee. Aftertaste offers parting sweet tastes of dark caramel and honey." 85-89 pts.

"A blend of 'eaux-de-vie' predominantly from the Grande Champagne area, this cognac has a rare intensity. Some of the 'eaux de vie' are drawn from “Le Paradis” cellar, and have been aged in oak barrels for more than 60 years."

"The bouquet is MIA except for meager aromas of spice and fruit. Palate entry is succulent and dried fruit-like and seductively honey-like; midpalate shows a touch of rancio flavor as well as lots of black raisin, prune Danish and baked pear tastes. Concludes pruny, sap-like, maple-like and intensely honeyed." 85-89 pts.