1 | Spirits | Page 281

"Scents of lightly toasted grain. The palate entry is stunningly silky and grainy sweet; at midpalate the taste profile turns sap-like and creamy with undercurrents of burning matches or seared beefsteak. Finishes creamy and rich." 90-95 pts.

"The nosing passes find smoky, pipe tobacco-like peat reek but the peatiness found here differs from Islay peatiness with sweeter, earthier, more smoky/ashy scents. The palate entry taste is sweet and tobacco leaf -like; the midpalate continues smoky with added subtle notes of honey and caramel. Finishes prickly, warm and alluringly sweet." 90-95 pts.

For those who prefer a cognac that expresses ripe fruit and complexity as well as deeper, more roasted overtones of older cognacs. Some notes of grapefruit and pear also emerge while the finale expresses a touch of pepper. 100% Petite Champagne, 8 years old.

Blended in part from prephylloxera (pre-1870s) Cognacs. Very deep amber color. Initial nosings detect stately aromas, including tea leaves, cigar tobacco and delicate touches of oaky rancio; aeration releases leathery and spicy notes. Palate entry is nougaty sweet, luscious, honeyed and deep; by midpalate the flavor phase reaches a zenith, offering richly sweet tastes of rancio, sap, honey, brown sugar, sugar biscuits and cocoa. Finishes voluptuously honeyed, almost like Pedro Ximenez Sherry. If this Cognac were art, it would be a Rembrandt. 96-100 pts.

"Smells of dried figs, sultanas, lime marmalade, sea breeze, green olive, lemon grass, malted milk and unsweetened coconut. The taste profile asserts itself in the forms of light caramel, paraffin and almond paste; at midpalate the spirit becomes more evident as the off-dry, malty, moderately salty flavor warms the tongue and throat. Concludes gracefully and elegantly, with a mild rush of heat and smoke." 90-95 pts.