Cognac Park Borderies Mizunara Oak Finish

My initial experience with a spirit aged or finished in mizunara wood. Nose: Sandalwood and sweet vanilla, with warming spices. Floral notes. A slight hint of acetone. A bit sharp. Later, the nose became less sharp, more floral and sweet, which I found more pleasant. Palate: Immediately creamy, floral, intensely spicy, sweet, with some dry oakiness. Aftertaste: A very brief, intense finish, followed by a faint sweetness, tartness, and spices that linger. Extra: The glass retained a wonderful aroma the next morning. (I always cover glasses for a few extra days to smell them periodically).

If you're reading this, you're likely not an expert, but your willingness to try something new is commendable. Here's what to know: This is an aggressive cognac, quite peppery with a lingering flavor. It does possess faint cherry and honey undertones, but the persistent 'harshness' is significant. It's certainly not 'balanced,' 'smooth,' or 'gentle' in any way. It's not the type of cognac you'd want to revisit in the same evening, unless you enjoy a combination of an unpleasant facial expression and a raspy voice, in which case, this cognac is for you.

An elegant Cognac from Distillerie Tessendier et Fils in Cognac, France. It was aged for 4 years in standard French casks, then finished for 6 months in special Mizunara Oak casks. It starts delicately with notes of flowers and fruits from the harvest: pears & cherries; its woody & herbaceous middle adds notes of elderflower, honey, vanilla, oak & fruit compote; leading to a rich & complex finish of medium length. March 2020

Strawberry, vanilla, and some brown sugar are present, along with earthy notes similar to mushrooms from the mizunara oak. There's even a hint of lavender on the nose. These are my initial impressions of a cognac; I typically drink whisky but was drawn to the mizunara. In my opinion, this is a fantastic and very intriguing cognac!

Quite pleasant. It warms the mouth without being harsh or causing any astringency. The wine notes are detectable but not overwhelming.