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.  

Cognac Leyrat VSOP

Cognac Leyrat VSOP

Brandy: Cognac

From: Fins Bois

House: Leyrat

Style: Single distillery

Colour: Dark gold

ABV: 40%

N: Chocolate, prunes, raisins, coffee, sea salt. 

M: Medium body, slippery, warm, slightly tingly. 

T: Sweet salty. Butterscotch, sea salt, raisins, prunes, hints of cinnamon. 

F: Short. Blackcurrant cordial, cinnamon, sea salt, butterscotch. 

Comments:

Quite a savoury brandy, with notes of pruneaux. Almost Armagnac like, it’s reasonably robust, and doesn’t have much of the delicate nature that I associate with cognac. But maybe I’m susceptible to marketing - is Armagnac really less delicate than cognac? I suppose I need to taste a really old cognac to compare. 

Verdict:

I like this.