Meukow VSOP Superior Cognac

Review #44 - Brandy / Cognac #6 Acquired in Budapest Airport from a 50ml bottle, purchased as part of a two-pack with Glenfiddich VAT 01 50ml for 7 euros total. This price point seems quite reasonable for exploring a cognac. It displays an orange-amber hue and is fairly viscous in the glass. Nose - The scent isn't the smoothest, with a notable amount of alcohol and spice, alongside woody oak notes, orange marmalade, vanilla, sweetness, and fruit. Palate - There's a distinct alcohol burn, which is somewhat unexpected for a VSOP, yet the spice typical of younger cognacs is subdued, resulting in a mellow taste. It's also very fruity and sweet, featuring the same orange marmalade from the nose, similar to a brandy like Metaxa 12*, with undertones of honey, grape, and plum, in addition to oak. Finish - Lasting a short to medium duration, it begins with chocolate, then transitions to a dry, cocoa-woody sensation in the aftertaste. Some fruity sweetness and a slight bitterness persist. It's a respectable cognac, particularly considering its modest price. While not the smoothest or highest quality, it's decent, fruity, and quite enjoyable. Rating System: 5.0 - Legendary 4.5 - Exceptional 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Average 2.0 - Below Average 1.5 - Barely Drinkable 1.0 - Undrinkable 0.5 - JB

This VSOP Cognac is outstanding for its price, surpassing all competitors. It's smoother and, in my view, more flavorful than Remi Martin, Courvoisier, and certainly Hennessy VSOP. To find a spirit smoother than this Meukow VSOP Red bottle Superior Cognac, you'd have to look at the XO offerings from those other brands. I believe this VSOP Cognac is stellar at this specific price point, beats all the competition. Smoother than Remi Martin, Courvoisier and definitely Hennessy VSOP and much tastier in my opinion. You would need to get very close to XO territory with the aforementioned brands before getting smoother than this Meukow VSOP Red bottle Superior Cognac.

This is a fantastic, reasonably priced, smooth cognac. It offers a wonderful burst of flavor initially, then settles into a soft finish. Delightful from start to finish. I plan to purchase many more bottles in the coming years.

Intense grape must and sweet fruit notes, with undertones of wood and a touch of caramel. It's moderately sweet with a toasty, woody palate. The finish is dry and slightly spicy with a medium heat.

A solid 3.5, but since I can't select half points, I'll round up to 4. For the cost, there are superior VSOP options available. $84.95 in Ontario.

I'm not very familiar with cognacs, but this was quite approachable. It had a noticeable sweetness and a smooth character. The alcohol presence was well-concealed.