CAMUS VSOP Borderies Cognac (2014 Limited Release)

Bottled in 2018. Whether there are particular cognac aficionados who are as passionate about this as whisky enthusiasts, I can't say, but this bottling is single growth certified. It's batch 02/2018, number 06606/15998. That's considerable detail for a cognac these days. However, it's bottled at 40% ABV, and I doubt a famous musician drinks this yet. I use VSOP cognacs for cooking, as I frequently incorporate cognac into my recipes. My general rule when cooking with spirits is to avoid anything I wouldn't also drink while preparing food. Currently, no widely available VS cognac is something I could honestly say I'd enjoy sipping, including Camus VS, which is about $10-15 less expensive than this bottle. Of all the VSOP bottles I've sampled, this one stood out significantly, to the extent that I stopped using it for cooking and instead sacrificed my Hennessy, Hardy, and AE Dor. The Borderies VSOP presents a delicate profile with light fruit, earthy notes, and even a touch of grassiness. It is well-suited to its 40% bottling strength. Some spirits are so appealingly soft and smooth that a higher proof is actually undesirable. Scapa 16 immediately comes to mind from my more familiar Scotch experience; however, this is a cognac that truly shines when it's simply whispering to you. Camus has recently appeared quite often on the shelves at my local liquor stores. This bottle has impressed me sufficiently to consider trying their XO expression. Score: * (unforgettably good) Price range: $45-60 Estimated worth: $60

Wonderful cognac. It's spicy, very fruity, and sweet, but not excessively so. The flavor is bold and outgoing, and it might lack the complexity and subtlety of an XO, but I often prefer a brighter, more open flavor in a cognac over a dense, concentrated sip that resembles an eight-course meal of mostly sweet desserts. It could, however, be a little more tart. I do, though, favor similarly priced whiskies over this cognac; despite its bold taste, it's still quite muted compared to even the mildest scotch. But this spirit is very smooth, with no alcohol burn at all.

It's the ideal spot for $100 cognac... On the nose, it might not give off intense aromas, but it still has floral, orange, zest, and vanilla notes. The nose alone might be a little less than anticipated. However, in the mouth, it's very smooth and very easy to drink, with aromas of orange, floral, soft wood, and vanilla. It's a very balanced medium-body cognac, with a moderate aftertaste (though you might not notice it much since you'll take another sip so quickly because of its mellow quality). Considering it's a very nice bottle and a smooth, balanced liquid for this price... highly worth it!!

Bottle number 6414/19880 Smell: Sweet caramel flavor. It brings to mind Christmas, cozy evenings with friends. Taste: Strong flavor initially, with notes of sweets and caramel. It goes down smoothly, with a warm aftertaste.

APPEARANCE: Medium Amber NOSE: A dry nose with hints of fruit and grape; PALATE: A slick texture with just the right amount of fruity notes and a creamy feel; FINISH: The taste dissipates quickly, not lingering too long, with notes of dried fruit.

Korea Edition. Aroma: Subtle floral honey, oak, raisins. Taste: Sweet and sour, sweet grape flavor like My chewing gum, slightly oily, slightly aged oak. Finish: Sweet~~, grape vineyard, short. The flavor became a damp grape taste after airing.