Baron de Sigognac XO Platinum

Baron de Sigognac XO Platinum

Brandy: Armagnac

From: Bas Armagnac

House: Baron de Sigognac 

Style: Blend

Colour: Amber gold

ABV: 40%

N: Leather, prunes, tobacco leaf, vanilla ice cream, hints of farmyard. 

M: Light body, thickens slightly, tingly, warm. 

T: Sweet. Black tea, prunes, tobacco leaf, vanilla ice cream, candied oranges, hints of coffee. 

F: Short. Black tea, candied oranges, coffee, walnut skins, hints of farmyard. 

Comments:

I’ve not had too many from this negociant before, but it’s a popular house. This is a little bit of a premium version, and it’s that little bit more complex. Lots of fruit, sure, with the standard pruneaux notes, but also a lot of savoury, even slightly wild ‘smelly’ notes. Not too sweet either, always a plus in my book. 

Verdict:

I like this. 

Frapin 1270

Frapin 1270

Brandy: Cognac

From: Grande Champagne

House: Frapin

Style: Single distillery

Colour: Amber

ABV: 40%

N: Raisins, strawberries, candied oranges, black tea, hints of coffee. 

M: Medium body, cool, slippery, expands. 

T: Sweet. Strawberries, vanilla ice cream, coffee, fresh baked bread, cherries, hints of chocolate. 

F: Medium. Coffee, cherries, chocolate, vanilla ice cream. 

Comments:

This tastes like an entry-level expression from Frapin, and is certainly lighter than some of the other cognacs that I’ve tried from that house. It’s not as deep or intense, instead, it’s rather gentle, with lighter fruit notes and some bitter sweet coffee notes. Highly enjoyable nevertheless.  

Verdict:

I like this. 

Camus VSOP Borderies 2017

Camus VSOP Borderies 2017

Brandy: Cognac

From: Borderies

House: Camus

Style: Single distillery, single vintage 

Colour: Teak

ABV: 40%

N: Cinnamon, raisins, orange peel, milk chocolate, allspice. 

M: Medium body, cool, thickens slightly, slippery. 

T: Sweet sour. Orange peel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, hints of damson jam. 

F: Long. Walnut skins, coffee, cinnamon, hints of milk chocolate. 

Comments:

Couple of firsts today - first cognac from Borderies and first coñac from Camus. It’s single vintage too! Lots of milk chocolate and cinnamon and cloves. Slightly gingery around the edges, quite enjoyable. Not incredible though, perhaps my expectations are too high. 

Verdict:

I like this. 

Sullivan’s Cove Single Cask Brandy

Sullivan’s Cove Single Cask Brandy

Brandy: Australian Brandy

From: Tasmania

House: Sullivan’s Cove 

Style: Single distillery, single vintage 

Colour: Pale amber

ABV: 50.5%

N: Chocolate, toffee, orange, salt caramel, butterscotch, cashews, hints of smoke. 

M: Light body, warm, tingly, loosens slightly. 

T: Salty sweet. Toffee, salt caramel, chocolate, orange peel, butterscotch, hints of tobacco leaf. 

F: Long. Molasses, butterscotch, salt caramel, chocolate, hints of orange peel. 

Comments:

Barrel TDB009. The master distiller at Sullivan’s Cove has a background in wine, and this brandy is one of the things she makes that harks back to her roots. It’s very good, fragrant and fruity, with a savoury edge. It’s not like the whisky at all, which is, oddly, sweeter than the brandy. It’s is lip smacking though. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Cognac Leyrat XO Vielle Reserve

 Cognac Leyrat XO Vielle Reserve

Brandy: Cognac

From: Fins Bois

House: Leyrat

Style: Single distillery

Colour: Amber

ABV: 40%

N: red grapes, leather, grape must, sea salt, honey, hints of fresh cut grass. 

M: Heavy body, sticky, thickens, mouth coating. 

T: Sweet salty. Blackcurrant cordial, leather, black tea, honey, sea salt, fresh cut grass. 

F: Medium. Black tea, walnuts, fresh cut grass, hints of cinnamon. 

Comments:

Rather savoury this. It’s got classic cognac flavours, it’s a bit Ribena-like, slight overtones of cough mixture, but that is quickly overtaken by savoury herbal flavours, rather like sitting in a meadow. Very enjoyable indeed. 

Verdict:

I like this.