Maltbarn Lot 86 no 137 (Vallein Tercinier 32yo 1986/2019)

Maltbarn Lot 86 no 137 (Vallein Tercinier 32yo 1986/2019)

Brandy: Cognac
From: Bons Bois
House: Vallein Tercinier
Style: Single distillery, single vintage
Colour: Dark gold
ABV: 44.5%

N: Raisins, leather, sea salt, Roquefort cheese, rancio, peach cobbler

M: Light body, slippery, cool, tingly.

T: Sweet. Raisins, prunes, peach cobbler, marmalade, rancio, leather.

F: Long. Black pepper, black tea, leather, marmalade.

Comments:

This is something slightly different, and maybe more what I'm used to. It's brandy, bottled by a whisky specialist. Maltbarn is a German independent bottler, and this is their first brandy that I've tasted. I gather they partner with Vallein Tercinier, a cognac house that is both a negociant and a distiller with their own vineyards. This particular expression is, like single cask whiskies, bottled from the Vallein Tercinier vineyards in the Bon Bois region, of a single year's vintage, with a specific age statement.

It's also the strongest brandy that I've sampled so far (if only just), and I have to say that the additional couple of percent of strength does make a difference. The flavours are rounder, starker, and more intense. No water required either, for me, although I know that this is probably personal to me, and a legacy of years of killing my taste buds with cask strength whisky.

The 32 years of aging stands out, there's a lovely leathery note, with a rather strong and fragrant blue cheese note on the nose. This is very well-defined rancio. Alongside, there are heaps of jammy, fruity notes, with perhaps a smattering of floral flavours as well.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Chateau de Laubade XO 15yo

Chateau de Laubade XO 15yo

Brandy: Armagnac
From: Bas Armagnac
House: Chateau de Laubade
Style: Single distillery
Colour: Amber red
ABV: 40%

N: Orange peel, soy sauce, strawberries, black pepper, roast ham, menthol.

M: Light body, thickens in the mouth, slightly oily.

T: Sweet sour. Orange peel, strawberries, menthol, marmalade.

F: Medium. Strawberries, roses.

Comments:

I drank this brandy a decade ago. I don't know exactly where, but it was probably a restaurant somewhere in London. My tasting notes are slightly odd:

" Very salty and strong in the nose, with a sharp bite of menthol. Once tasted however, this armagnac becomes a different creature - sweet on the tongue, with a little teasing hints of mint as a reminder of the robust, salty, tangy nose. The finish is also quite gentle, although it would be hard to top that first whiff from the lip of the glass!"

It's interesting to see how much my palate has changed. I feel I understand layers better, and I have more patience, simply sipping and letting the flavours develop in my mouth. It would be interesting to taste this brandy again to see what I would record, but I believe it has been discontinued, more's the pity.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.