ABK6 VSOP Single Estate Cognac

Rating: 15/23 I found ABK6 VS to be quite good. It had some enjoyable character without being excessively sweet. The drawback was that it was somewhat unpolished. I don't recall the exact price difference offhand, but it wasn't significant, and I had hoped it might have smoothed out some of those rough edges. Tonight, I was evaluating Pierre Ferrand Double Cask and Delamain Pale & Dry. To establish another comparison, I opened this bottle. I suppose I'm comparing it to those now as well. Nose: Sweet, nectar, honey, orange. Some spices emerge. I enjoy the aroma, but it lacks complexity. I do detect the faintest hint of sulfuric alcohol, but it's so incredibly subtle that I might be imagining it. Palate: Opening this was an excellent choice. It shares the orange profile of Delamain Pale & Dry but with a touch more sweetness, similar to Pierre Ferrand Double Cask. There's some spice, but it's more peppery with just a hint of harshness. This seems less mature than the Delamain, but not necessarily less mature than the Pierre Ferrand. I perceive more alcohol from the Ferrand than from this, but also more complexity. This has a limited number of flavor notes. They balance sweet and dry well, but there isn't much depth. It definitely tastes young. I fully believe it's a VSOP. It possesses enough smoothness and balance that it doesn't taste like the eau de vie was just distilled (as is often the case with VS brandies), but it also clearly tastes young. Finish: The orange persists and becomes slightly more bitter. Whiffs of alcohol come and go. It's sweet but drier than before, with a slight cardboard-like quality to the wood. Very faint cinnamon appears at times. It's not an outstanding finish, but it's acceptable. - Conclusion - This is comparable to Pierre Ferrand Double Cask. If they were priced identically, I would likely favor the Pierre Ferrand slightly. If Pierre Ferrand represents a solid 15 aiming for a 16, this is a 15 with a risk of dropping to a 14. So, they are both 15s. One point that is very clear to me is that Rémy Martin 1738 is definitively superior to this. It's not that the Rémy is exceptional and this is terrible, but if they were only a few dollars apart, I would pay the extra for the Rémy. Considering I rated ABK6 VS a 14, either these two are surprisingly close in quality, or I may have overestimated that one. Perhaps I'll acquire another sample of it at some point and conduct a direct comparison.

My journey with cognacs began in the late 1970s, exploring the VSOP offerings from Hennessy, Martell, and Remy Martin. Each label presented a unique profile in terms of taste, texture, aroma, and the way it affected the senses. These sensations included a comforting warmth, a subtle sweetness, notes of oak, and a sense of calm while savoring the drink. This involved taking a sip and then exhaling through the mouth. Jumping ahead to 2020, I've explored different cognac categories seeking quality spirits. I discovered a new category of VSOP cognacs described by connoisseurs as "floral." So far, my tasting included ABK6 VSOP, Paulet VSOP, Kirkland XO, and A DE FUSSIGNY SELECTION COGNAC. These varieties are indeed floral and delicate, reminiscent of drinking flower essences. However, in my experience, these floral cognacs, while smooth on the first taste, quickly vanish from the palate and travel up the nasal passages, leaving a sensation of gagging and dryness. In contrast, Hennessy, Martell, and Remy cognacs settled smoothly in the throat. If you enjoy a floral profile, these are for you (ABK6, Paulet, Kirkland XO, and A DE FUSSIGNY). It seems floral cognacs aren't quite my preference. I recognize that everyone's palate is different. I'm not a professional, just someone who enjoys spirits for relaxation, social gatherings, or special moments shared with loved ones. A reminder to consume responsibly.

This is a refined, single estate Brandy from the Abecassis family in Cognac, France, aged for at least 3 years. It greets you with an aromatic introduction of tree fruits, florals, and a whisper of spice. Its substantial and opulent mid-palate brings forth flavors of apricot, apple pie, raisin, caraway, and mustard seed, culminating in a lengthy and sharp finish with further hints of toffee apple, cinnamon, and oak. September 2019 / September / October 2025

It's fruity, with more emphasis on citrus than other cognacs I've tasted. The finish is brief, leaving a faint oaky warmth at the conclusion. It makes the mouth feel slightly dry. It's an ideal sipping cognac, and for its cost, it's worth trying. It's likely the top cognac available for $30 or less. If there's a Total Wine nearby, they really promote this one extensively.

I appreciate cognac for its distinctiveness. Amber color with authentic scents of baking spices. Notes of spiced orange, vanilla, allspice, and cinnamon. Clean, smooth taste of syrupy orange, soft cinnamon, pepper, and anise. A pleasant smoky flavor with a good balance of heat and a long finish. A good one to keep on hand.

This offers great value. It's not the best by any means, but it's very drinkable and not excessively expensive. It's my current go-to cognac for weeknights when I don't want to open my more costly bottles but still want to enjoy a drink.