Klipdrift 2015 Rugby World Cup Limited Edition

Klipdrift 2015 Rugby World Cup Limited Edition 

Brandy: Cape Brandy

From: Robertson

House: Klipdrift

Style: Single distillery

Colour: Sunshine yellow

ABV: 43%

N: Honey, damson jam, stewed apricots, muscat grapes, raisins. 

M: Medium body, thickens slightly, tingly, slightly oily. 

T: Sweet. Muscat grapes, damson jam, raisins, coffee, nutmeg, hints of fresh baked bread. 

F: Short. Raisins, stewed apricots, black tea, hints of coffee. 

Comments:

Quite intensely and unapologetically sweet. There’s still some complexity, but it’s a welter of jammy dried fruit notes. I did enjoy this, on its own merits, but in comparison to other sweet brandies (like Jerez sherry brandies), it pales a little bit. I would probably have a bottle around for everyday drinking. 

Verdict:

I like this. 

Bache Gabrielsen Serenite

Bache Gabrielsen Serenite 

Brandy: Cognac

From: Grande Champagne

House: Bache Gabrielsen

Style: Blend

Colour: Amber

ABV: 40%

N: Peaches, red grapes, raisins, honey, terracotta dust, hints of leather. 

M: Medium body, sticky, cool, slightly syrupy. 

T: Bitter sweet. Pear drops, peaches, raisins, vanilla, orange peel, leather. 

F: Long. Honey, walnut skins, orange peel, leather. 

Comments:

Fruity, leathery and slightly dusty, this tastes quite a bit older than it is. It’s reasonably complex, and has a good level of sweetness (i.e. not too much). I’ve had better cognacs, but this one really hit the spot. 

Verdict:

I like this. 

Domaine des Cassagnoles 5yo

Domaine des Cassagnoles 5yo

Brandy: Armagnac

From: Ténarèze

House: Domaine des Cassagnoles

Style: Single distillery

Colour: Red brown

ABV: 41%

N: Chocolate cake, white grapes, salt caramel. 

M: Medium body, clingy, mouth coating. 

T: Sweet. Limes, green tea, prunes, apricots. 

F: Medium. Lime peel, orange blossom. 

Comments:

Another old tasting note, this one from around mid 2008. It’s probably the first armagnac I ever tasted, and you can probably tell by the simplicity of the tasting notes. 

I thought it had a great nose, very chocolatey, which is probably how I perceived notes of pruneaux in those days. On the tongue, I found it less sweet, and probably more floral. 

Verdict:

I like this. 

 

Marquis de Puységur Napoleon

Marquis de Puységur Napoleon

Brandy: Armagnac

From: Bas Armagnac

House: Cave Coopérative de Villeneuve de Marsan 

Style: Blend

Colour: Orange amber

ABV: 40%

N: Orange peel, lemons, raisins, black pepper, hints of roses. 

M: Medium body, astringent, tingly. 

T: Sweet sour. Lemons, raisins, black pepper, limes, roses, hints of black tea. 

F: Long. Black tea, black pepper, lemons, hints of roses. 

Comments: 

An old tasting note. Haven’t had any for a while. I had this maybe 12 or 13 years ago, and I remember it as being very spicy and lovely. I had it after a large multi course meal, although I can’t quite remember where. It was lovely. I do remember craving an Islay whisky right after though. 

Verdict:

I like this. 

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.