My first foray into Cognac. Wasn't sure what to expect going in, and not sure I understood it until about my fifth taste. Starts off with flavors familiar to any seasoned whiskey drinker, with a sweetness that I found it hard to put my finger on, followed up by a big woody oak note. After this point, however, I found that it fades into a finish of almost a dark chocolate style bitterness that lingers on the front of the palate. After several tries, I've kind of come to the conclusion that if someone made a whiskey/semi-dry-red-wine hybrid, this would be about what I'd expect it to be. I get a lot of the same notes I get out of a Cabernet that's on the sweeter side, with a larger oak punch and alcohol bite. A lot of the sweet notes seem to be in the red-grape realm. I definitely enjoy it overall, and will be getting more Cognacs to try as a result.
About this bottle
D’USSÉ is a new brand, however, it's produced by Baron Otard, which has a history stretching back centuries, not to mention its own castle, the Château de Cognac along the Chartente river. The Baron Otard label itself has never been for sale in the United States. Enter, D’USSÉ's lineup, which was designed from the start to appeal to the American palate. The VSOP incorporates eaux-de-vie aged between four and eight years, and is meant to either hold up on its own or work well in mixed drinks.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 36 parsed reviews.
Fruity nose, fresh grapes, apples and berries. Incredibly smooth palate; one of the easiest drinking spirits I've ever encountered. Black cherry and honey dominate the flavour profile. Starts dry but gets sweeter. Finish is surprisingly lengthy but there isn't an overwhelming flavour other than general fruitiness. I was a little worries buying this because of the mediocre reviews, but I really like it. Yes not terribly complex but it's damn delicious and tastes like something you'd drink after vanquishing someone in a dual with French rapiers.
Nose: dried fruit, raisins, dried cherries, fruity sweet, wood. Taste: spicy, wood, sweet, but also dry, dry spicy finish. Smooth! Spice dies down and sweetness increases with a little time to open up. My first foray into cognac. I bought this to make sidecars, but I could see dabbling in cognac here and there. Reminds me a lot of Highland Park 12 year or Bunnahabhain in some ways. Similar to that sherries oaky spicy sweetness. I dig it. On the 2nd taste I get an amaretto sweetness, almost cherry cola flavors. Delicious!
A delicate, VSOP Cognac by Chateau de Cognac crafted with Ugni Blanc, aged for a minimum of 4 years before being bottled at 40% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of stewed & dried fruits, wood, nuts, herbs & spices; while a delicate life added hints of golden raisin. banana cream, caramel & Crème brûlée; that led to a quick & balanced death with hints of oak, almond, walnut & cinnamon. September / October 2025
Absolutely delicious! Tastes of baking chocolate, honeycomb, a bit of woody/nutty notes and finishes rich and smooth. The only drawback is the price at $60 a bottle. Obviously there were cheaper selections on the shelf (and more expensive too) but this will definitely be an "always on my shelf" bottle! 🙂
This is my first cognac. My first brandy. But call me Made because I feel like I'm "just sittin' on top of the world". Woody up front. Sweet and round and full of cherry, vanilla, and maybe strawberry. Sweet on the tail end with a warm, but fruity finish that lingers
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