Courvoisier VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac

This is likely the second to last bottle from the "Winter 50ml Clean-up Tour." It’s probable I’ve tried fewer than ten brandies, let alone cognacs. Since I'm not very knowledgeable about brandy and cognac, I have no clue what to anticipate. However, I know Courvoisier is a well-liked and inexpensive brand, so there’s likely something enjoyable here. I think I’ve had the VS version before, but I don’t recall it being remarkable either way. Having such an open mind for this seems like a welcome benefit, as it's essentially a new type of spirit for me. The color resembles many popular American whiskeys, a blend of chestnut brown and golden raisin. Relatedly, the aroma includes both the sweeter aspects of oak and some expected grape must. The ethanol is potent through the nose, especially for only 80 proof. These two elements above are the primary ones present, at least initially, with a balance between the spiciness from the overall ethanol and notes of cinnamon and baking spice with continued smelling. The grape must remains a key player, but allows the sweetness to dominate this added dry and almost savory quality. The taste starts with slightly tart and sweet mixed berries and cherries (is a cherry technically a berry?), then transforms into the flavor of Froot Loops. The body is quite light, which prevents this from being excessively sweet. In fact, an oak-forward spiciness emerges during the finish. This spiced oak becomes more pronounced with each sip, and adding some air at this stage also reveals the dry grape must note from the aroma. I'm not sure what else I can add, as even though I've tried few cognacs, this still tasted fairly close to my expectations. The initial fruit flavors were surprising, but it was still pleasant when drunk neat. It would likely also perform very well in cocktails calling for cognac or brandy. If the price is truly as low as I've heard, I don't see any reason not to get this, at least as a practical and pleasant straightforward cognac without any pretenses.

Toledo is a charming city. I mean Spain, not the one in Ohio. With El Greco's art everywhere, the striking, rugged Tajo valley scenery below the hillside old town, winding medieval streets climbing up and down the terrain, and a magnificent cathedral...plus marzipan. I doubted the hype that Toledo's marzipan is some magical delicacy superior to all others, but...they're right. It's excellent. So, how does this relate to a favorite drink of a certain person? Essentially, it's liquid marzipan, the Toledo kind. Buttery almond, a touch of peach and apricot preserve, a bit of sugar – a delightful mix of nuttiness, ripe stone fruit, and a rich but not heavy texture. My only critique is the brief finish and a feeling that more could be present...it lacks significant complexity, and for $40 a bottle, I'd anticipate a bit more depth than simply 'liquid marzipan.' Nevertheless, it's a thoroughly enjoyable brandy.

Nose: Cooked fruit (prunes, dates, cooked pears), honey simple syrup, slightly bitter French oak, floral perfume, beeswax, a delightful mix of butterscotch/toffee/honeysuckle, caramel apples, aged European oak, a faint grape must, baking spices (cardamom, cloves), whole black peppercorns, honey glaze with reduced vin cotto, deep red plums, maraschino cherry, sweet oak Palate: Sweet grape pomace, gentle wood spice, green paprika, honeysuckle, sweet red grapes with honey, candied plums, red fruit skins, candied red apples, a touch of sweet yet subtle caramel, a hint of spicy oak Finish: Slightly bitter oak, green apple slices with caramel sauce, manuka honey

The aroma isn't quite as harsh as the VS, but it's still more potent than most Cognacs of comparable age, distillation method, and alcohol content. Once you get past the fumes, however, you'll find baked apple and pear tarts resting on a bed of fragrant rose petals. The initial taste has a slight saltiness, leading into raspberry and peach, then plum, followed by some tart fruit and wood spice that dry the finish. It's sweet and fruity, yet balanced by the other elements. Much improved since my initial tasting last year. It's understandable why Napoleon favored this spirit during his exile.

Pass the Courvoisier. A robust aroma of honey and a musty wine cellar. Palate is fruit-forward with berries, grapes, and oak. Quite hot with a slightly oily mouthfeel. The finish is where this expression truly excels. It's a full spectrum of orchard fruits and lingers. It's a nice Cognac, but not the finest I've sampled. It might taste even better after conquering the Prussian army.

Slightly superior to the VS as it's not quite as strongly alcohol-forward. It's pleasant enough to drink with notes of plum and raisin, and tastes rather medicinal. The flavors are far more subtle than the VS. The VSOP is an improvement over the VS, but not significantly. The plum and raisin notes are better in the VS, despite the burn.