Ragnaud Sabourin No 4 VS

Ragnaud Sabourin No 4 VS

Brandy: Cognac
From: Grande Champagne
House: Ragnaud Sabourin
Style: Single distillery
Colour: Copper
ABV: 41%

N: Raisins, white grapes, green apples, cloves, cinnamon.

M: Light body, cool, loosens, slightly astringent.

T: Sweet sour. White grapes, green apples, damson jam, cinnamon, hints of vanilla, hints of guava.

F: Medium. Cacao nibs, vanilla, damson jam, white grapes.

Comments:

A rather young cognac, around 2 years old. The youngest in the range, I believe, which explains its pale colour. The flavour is not as anaemic though, there's green fruit, jam, and some spice, with a chocolatey finish.

I got this sample before I went off younger cognacs, and it would have been a waste not to sample it. I was pleasantly surprised, however - there's a fair bit to this cognac, and certainly more than one layer, so to speak. I had to work reasonably hard to get down to the tropical fruit, it wasn't quite as obvious as, say, the green apples on the tongue. Maybe there's something to younger brandy after all.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ragnaud Sabourin VSOP

Ragnaud Sabourin VSOP

Brandy: Cognac
From: Grande Champagne
House: Ragnaud Sabourin
Style: Single distillery
Colour: Amber rose
ABV: 41%

N: Camphor, raisins, black tea, butter, hints of peach.

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

T: Bitter sweet. Raisins, butter, blueberries, peaches, camphor, hints of cinnamon.

F: Medium. Peaches, raisins, cinnamon, hints of sea salt.

Comments:

My first cognac from this rather small house, with exclusive vineyards in the Grande Champagne region. All very exciting!

This cognac is rather herbal, with big bass notes of camphor, alongside buttery fruit. The camphor is almost acrid in its intensity, but in a good way. It's bittersweet, intense and flavourful, fading to a spicy, salty finish. Excellent stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.