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Archive for the ‘Brandy and Cognac Reviews’ Category

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The 12 Cognacs of Christmas #10 – H by Hine

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 6, 2014

The Classic SAM_1370

The Classic

Hine is one of the oldest Cognac Houses in the commune of Jarnac, (within the Cognac appellation of France of course), and Hine has produced their Cognac since 1763. Their new H by Hine Fine Champagne Cognac (VSOP) is produced from a blend 20 Cognac spirits which in turn were each produced from grapes grown in 2 of the finest crus in the heart of France’s Cognac appellation, the Grande Champagne and the Petite Champagne. As this Cognac carries a VSOP designation, I should point out that the youngest eaux de vie in the H by Hine Fine Champagne Cognac blend must be a minimum of 4 years old.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: H by Hine Fine Champagne Cognac (VSOP)

“… The breezes above the glass carried a nice blended aroma which represents a melding of oak and wood spice, some vibrant fresh fruit and light toffee scents. The spiciness of the oak is firm but not assertive which appeals to me as sometimes oak can dominate a spirit to the detriment of the other aromas and flavours. …”

While some people scoff at the notion of mixing Cognac into cocktails and bar drinks, the truth is that Brandy and Cognac are perhaps the original cocktail mixers. It was not until these spirits disappeared in the 1870’s (until the end of the 19th century because of the phylloxera), that other spirits such as whisky, rum and gin began to dominate the mixed drink category. At the conclusion of my review I share a recipe called The Classic which has is origins in those earlier times when Brandy and Cognac were kings of the cocktails.

Enjoy my review, and stay tuned for more of the 12 Cognacs of Christmas!

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The 12 Cognacs of Christmas #11 – Hennessy Privilege V.S.O.P.

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 4, 2014

Medusa Coil SAM_1382

The Medusa Coil Cocktail

Jas Hennessy & Co., is the largest Cognac producer in the world today with sales that exceed 45 million bottles per year. The company was founded in 1765 by Richard Hennessy who was an Irish Officer in the army of Louis XV.  Fifty two years later, in 1817, Hennessy Cognac was so highly regarded that the Prince of Wales, (who later would become King George IV of Great Britain) asked the Hennessy House to produce what was termed a “very superior old pale cognac“. This was apparently the genesis for the initials V.S.O.P (Very Superior Old Pale), and these initials have become a labeling standard used throughout the industry to this day.

The subject of this review is Hennessy’s Privilege VSOP Cognac. The spirit is produced from the fruity Ugni Blanc grapes which have been harvested from the four great crus of the Cognac region (Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois). The grape wine produced is (of course) double distilled upon the Hennessy Distillery’s great copper pot stills and then selected eaux-de-vie is set down to age for at least 4 years in french oak casks which have constructed from old growth oak timbers.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Hennessy’s Privilege VSOP Cognac

“… The initial aroma displays a rich combination of oak spice and vanilla with leathery cedar accents. To some extent the oak dominates covering over the fruity scents of green grape and raisin. After a few minutes the breezes above the glass show me impressions of rich tobacco, dark baking spices, (vanilla, brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon), sticky marmalade, apricot brandy and hints of maple …”

When I was contemplating a cocktail for the Hennessy Privilege VSOP, I wanted to put a modern spin on a traditional (or maybe the right word is ‘classic’) cocktail. I began with Leo Engels 1878 Brandy Crusta, and with a few additions and subtractions, I arrived at what I call the Medusa Coil.

Enjoy my review, and stay tuned for more of the 12 Cognacs of Christmas!

 

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The 12 Cognacs of Christmas #12 (tie) – Courvoisier VSOP (Fine Champagne Cognac)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 3, 2014

Lime Sour SAM_1376

Courvoisier VSOP Lime Sour

We can trace the origins of Courvoisier Cognac to 1809 when Emmanuel Courvoisier began a small wine and spirits company with the Mayor of Bercy, Louis Gallois in the French suburb of Bercy (Paris, France). The company and its Cognac was soon to achieve fame as in 1811, Napoleon Bonaparte visited Bercy, and it is said that after visiting Bercy, Napoleon stated that he wanted to have available a ration of cognac for his artillery companies during the Napoleonic Wars. And in fact, later (in 1869) Napoleon’s heir, Napoleon III stated a preference for Courvoisier and also bestowed the honourable title of “Official Supplier to the Imperial Court” to the company, and this title remains on display at the Courvoisier Museum in Jarnac.

To produce their VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac, Courvoisier utilizes eaux-de-vie from only two of the crus in the Cognac appellation,the Grande Champagne,and Petite Champagne crus which are generally recognized at the two premier regions within the overall Cognac appellation. The grape juice from which the cognac is distilled is produced solely from white grapes which have been grown within these two appellations. The spirit is distilled twice upon a copper Charentes Still, and the resulting eaux de vie is aged in barrels handmade from 200-year old oak sourced from the Tronçais Forest in France.

Here is a link to my full review of the Courvoisier VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac:

Review: Courvoisier VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac

“… The initial aroma is somewhat restrained, but soon opens to reveal fine wood spices and sandalwood in front of some nice aromas of caramel and butterscotch melded into aromas of sugared green grapes and canned peaches …”

As I indicated two days ago, Cognac is a great mixing spirit, and the Courvoissier VSOP is no exception. I used my sample bottle to experiment a little and came up with a sour recipe I quite enjoyed, the Cognac Lime Sour.

Enjoy my review, and stay tuned for more of the 12 Cognacs of Christmas!

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The 12 Cognacs of Christmas #12 (tie) – Rémy Martin VSOP

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 1, 2014

RM_VSOPBOTTLE_750ML_hiTo produce their VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac, Rémy Martin utilizes eaux-de-vie from only two of the crus in the Cognac appellation, Grande Champagne,and Petite Champagne which are generally recognized at the two premier region within the Cognac appellation. The grape juice from which the cognac is distilled is produced solely from white grapes which have been grown within these two appellations. The spirit is distilled twice upon a copper Charentes Still, and the resulting eaux de vie is aged in new french oak barrels and/or french oak barrels which previously contained Cognac eaux de vie.

The ages of the varies blended cognac in the VSOP Cognac must be (by law) a minimum of four years of age, although to maintain a consistent flavour profile from year to year, it would not be unusual for some of the specific cognac spirits in the blend to be aged for a longer period of time.

Fancy Brandy Cocktail SAM_1371

Fancy VSOP Cocktail

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Rémy Martin VSOP (Fine Champagne Cognac)

“… As I continue to nose the glass my impression is that this is a much heavier more oak laden VSOP than the other VSOP Cognac spirits I have encountered to this point. The oak aroma is leathery and the fruit smells which dominate are figs, dry apricots, and dark raisins. There is also a bit of baked apple complete with touches of cinnamon and clove and some dark black tarry tobacco spice and treacle as well …”

Contrary to popular opinion, Cognac is a great mixing spirit. As I go through my Christmas Cognac Series I plan to provide a few recipe suggestions along the way. In the case of Rémy Martin VSOP, my suggested cocktail is a Fancy VSOP Cocktail.

Enjoy my review, and stay tuned for more of the 12 Cognacs of Christmas!

 

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Review: Pisco El Gobernador

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 12, 2014

Gobernador SAM_1296Miguel Torres Chile was founded in 1979 by the Torres family. After a search for a suitable location found them a 100 hectare vineyard near the Andes Mountains, as well as cellar near the City of Curicó, the company began the work of producing their new Chilean wine. Their holdings in Chile have increased over time, and the company now has over 400 hectares in production on six different properties. Recently the company introduced their new Pisco El Gobernador (translation: the Governor), a distilled brandy (produced upon tradition copper pot stills) made from an equal mixture of Moscatel de Alejandra and Moscatel Rosada grape varietals. The final spirit is stored (or rested) for up to one year in stainless steel tanks after which it is filtered clear and then bottled.

Pisco Sour SAM_1295

Pisco Lime Sour

Pacific Wines and Spirits are the local distributors of the Miguel Torres brand in Western Canada, and they provided me with much of the background information for this review. Miguel Torres is well-known for their wine and brandy production in Spain (having produced wine for more close to 150 years and having owned vineyards for more than 300 years).

Here is a link to my full review for Miguel Torres Chile’s, Pisco El Gobernador:

Review Pisco El Gobernador

“When I brought the glass to my nose, I noticed the breezes above the glass were tinged with a candied fruitiness which held a strong influences of green grapes, and milder influences of orange peel, dry apricots and canned peaches. Within the candied, fruit-like scents there was also a mild agave-like accent which featured the light, but distinctive aroma of white pepper and a very mild earthy agave fruit scent which reminds me of steamed squash and grilled eggplant.”

I hope everyone enjoys my newest review of this fascinating spirit from Chile, and of course I hope you enjoy my suggested cocktail, the Pisco Lime Sour. Cheers Everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!

Note: I would like to thank all those who offered words of encouragement over the past six weeks. Although the issues which have prevented me from writing reviews over that time frame are not completely resolved, some stability has returned, and I feel comfortable returning to my website. I am of course very far behind in my writing with many spirits in my review queue, and I thank all those companies who have sent me samples for their patience and understanding.

Posted in Brandy and Cognac Reviews, Pisco Review | 1 Comment »

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