Courvoisier XO

Courvoisier XO

Brandy: Cognac

From: ?

House: Courvoisier

Style: Blend

Colour: Amber

ABV: 40%

N: Red grapes, raisins, honey, cloves, chocolate. 

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

T: Sweet. Blackberry cordial, raisins, honey, cherries, chocolate. 

F: Short. Blackberry cordial, chocolate, cherries, honey. 

Comments:

Rather standard and one dimensional. Although it’s older than the VS expression from the same house, I enjoyed this less. 

Verdict:

Not bad. 

Avallen Calvados

Avallen Calvados

Brandy: Calvados

From: AOC Calvados

House: Domaine du Coquerel, bottled by Avallen

Style: Single distillery 

Colour: Bright gold

ABV: 40%

N: Apples, ink, sea salt, iron filings, fresh baked bread, vanilla. 

M: Medium body, astringent, cool, tingly. 

T: Bitter salty. Vanilla, apples, sea salt, apricots, white grapes, hints of sandalwood. 

F: Short. Walnut skins, black tea, apricots, sea salt. 

Comments:

Independently bottled brandy is a rarity. Avallen is a company, who, having sourced Calvados from Domaine du Coquerel, a small distillery in Normandy, have bottled it under their own brand. It’s great - not too sweet, but with plenty of fruit and tannic notes. Highly enjoyable and at a good price too. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Máxime Trijol VS

Máxime Trijol VS

Brandy: Cognac

From: Grande Champagne

House: Máxime Trijol

Style: Single distillery

Colour: Dark gold

ABV: 40%

N: Cloves, sea salt, honey, raisins, hints of leather. 

M: Medium body, slippery, loosens slightly, mouth coating. 

T: Sweet salty. Honey, raisins, cherries, leather, white grapes, vanilla. 

F: Medium. Cloves, honey, white grapes, cherries. 

Comments:

This cognac tastes fairly young, with some saline notes on the nose, but layered over with plenty of fruit. There’s a bit of a cough mixture vibe on the tongue, and there’s plenty of spice on the finish. Simple, but enjoyable. 

Verdict:

I like this.