Courvoisier VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac

Second to last on the "Winter 50ml Clean-up Tour" probably still doesn't break double digits on brandys that I've tried, let alone cognacs. Because I'm quite ignorant with brandy and cognac alike, I have absolutely no idea what to expect here, but I do know that Courvoisier is a very popular and equally cheap brand, so there must be something here to like. I believe I have had the VS version of this, but don't remember it being notable one way or the other. Having such a blank expectation seems like a well needed gift in a world of essentially a new spirit type to me. The color is not unlike many popular American whiskey brands, with a mix of chestnut brown and golden raisin. Speaking of, the nose incorporates both the sweeter side of oak as well as some expected grape must. The ethanol is strong through the nostrils, especially so for just 80 proof. Really the 2 above notes are the only that are in play here, at least at face value, with a balance between spiciness from the overall ethanol as well as a cinnamon and baking spice with repeated smelling. The grape must is still the other half of the spotlight, but lets the sweet overtake this added dry and almost savory component. The flavor begins with slightly citrusy and sugary mixed berries and cherries (is a cherry a berry?), which evolves into whatever flavor Froot Loops are. The body is very light and prevents this from being too sweet overall, and in fact, an oak-forward spiciness begins to form through the finish. This spiced oak stacks with each sip, and some air introduced at this point also unlocks the dry grape must note from the nose. I'm not sure what else I can add here, since even though I have had very few cognacs, this still managed to taste fairly close to what I expected. The initial fruit flavors did catch me off guard, but it was still enjoyable from a neat pour standpoint, and would probably play very nicely in cognac or brandy based cocktails all the same. If the price is really as cheap as I've heard, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't want this, at least as a functional and tasty simple cognac with no frills.

Toledo is a beautiful city. Spain, not Ohio, I should say. El Greco all over the place, strikingly rugged scenery in the Tajo valley below the hill on which the old city sits, medieval streets that meander up and down the slope, a stunning cathedral...and marzipan. I was skeptical about claims that Toledo's marzipan is a magical delight somehow surpassing all other marzipans, but...they're not wrong. It's great stuff. Now, what does that have to do with The Ladies' Man's favorite tipple? Basically, this is marzipan, Toledo-style, in liquid form. Buttery almond, a little peach and apricot preserve, a bit of sugar - a lovely blend of nuttiness, ripe stone fruit, and a luscious (but not heavy) mouthfeel. If I have a complaint here, it's a short finish and a certain sense that there could be more here...not much in the way of complexity, which at $40/bottle, I'd expect to start seeing at least a little bit more going on than just "liquid marzipan." Still, it's a perfectly pleasant bit of brandy.

Nose: Stewed fruits (prunes, dates, cooked pears), honey infused simple syrup, bittersweet french oak, floral eau de toilette, beeswax, an enticing amalgamation of butterscotch/toffee/honeysuckle, caramel covered apples, old European oak, slight grape must, baking spices (cardamom, cloves), black whole peppercorns, honey glaze mixed with reduced vin cotto, magenta plums, maraschino cherry, sweet oak Palate: Sweet grape pomace, gentle wood spice, green paprika, honeysuckle, sweet red grapes drizzled with honey, candied plums, red fruit skins, candied red apples, a touch of sweet yet subtle caramel, a hint of spicy oak Finish: Bittersweet oak, green apple slices with caramel sauce, manukah honey

The nose is not quite as rough as the VS, but still hotter than most Cognacs of similar age, distillation, and proof. When you get through the fumes though, baked apple and tartes aux poires await on a bed of perfumed rose petals. The entry is just a bit saline, giving way to raspberry-peach, then plum, followed by some tart fruit and wood spice to dry the finish. Sweet and fruity, but then tempered by the rest. Much better than my first impression of it last year. Napoleon was onto something, taking this stuff into exile.

Pass the Courvoisier. Strong honey and musty wine cellar on the nose. Fruit forward palate with berries, grapes and oak. Fairly hot with a slightly oily mouth feel. The finish is where this one really shines. It's a full bowl of orchard fruits and just keeps going. It's a nice Cognac but not the best I've tried. Probably tastes better if you've just conquered the Prussian army.

Slightly better than the VS in that it’s not quite as strong alcohol forward. It’s pleasant enough to drink with plums and raisins and tastes quite medicinal. The flavors are much more subtle than the VS. The VSOP is a step up from the VS but not by much. The plum and raisins are better in the VS despite the burn.