Paul Masson VSOP Grande Amber

Oh, the French bubbly... Just kidding. The ideal follow-up to a home wine tasting appeared to be inexpensive cognac, and until I discover a superior option, this will suffice. Seriously though, even for a half bottle, the $5 price for an 80 proof spirit felt like a steal. I'm not typically a brandy enthusiast, nor am I particularly knowledgeable about its production or history, but I understand VSOP represents a step up from VS. A mere dollar difference between these bottles seemed like a clear, if slightly questionable, decision. While I associate the brand more with its flavored offerings, and those aren't my preference, I'm eager to taste the base product that fuels their popularity. The 4 years of aging have significantly impacted the color, making it resemble a blend of garnet, scarlet, and maroon, in addition to the expected chestnut brown. The initial aroma presents dry oak and raw ethanol, followed by hints of overripe banana, brown sugar, and a touch of raisin. It's mostly sweet, but lacks the grape musk or fig typically found in brandies I've tried. It's not overpowering, yet still provides a savory dryness. On the palate, there's a slightly dry, spicy, and watery sensation initially. The banana flavor reappears, soft and accompanied by brown sugar and sweet oak. The body becomes progressively lighter with each sip, introducing subtle rum undertones. The finish is dry and spicy, bringing it full circle from the initial taste, with only a minimal trace of grape musk. I've always believed in the principle of "you get what you pay for," but this is remarkably impressive for its cost, at least in my opinion. With a more discerning palate for brandy, I'm sure I could appreciate many other products and easily overlook this one. However, I will certainly cherish my blissful ignorance in this situation for as long as possible. Honestly, I'd gladly pay any price for this level of simple unawareness in the American craft whiskey market, but that's a different topic. Perhaps this is a basic, unpolished cognac, or maybe it's genuinely an overlooked gem offering exceptional taste at a truly fair, affordable price... Wouldn't that be something? I'll definitely be experimenting with this in some classic cocktails to see how it performs, but even if it doesn't excel there, it seems straightforward to pool a few dollars together to keep this on hand whenever the desire arises.

Appearance: Lovely amber hue, resting on a ceramic whiskey plate. Undiluted, served as is. Nose/Palate: Dominantly grape, but not the common Concord variety; think more green or white grape. Intricate, reminiscent of white wine's fruitiness, yet distinct from wine. Lively and bright, like a grape plucked right from the vine. Finish: Barrel-aged notes of caramel and vanilla meet a clean, pure essence, like fresh spring water. Feel: Exceptionally smooth. For the price, it offers remarkable value. A spirit suitable for nightly enjoyment without letdown, explaining its frequent scarcity. --- An Ideal Daily Drink Golden light on cool rock, grape's fresh sweetness, vibrant, a hint of oak, of toffee, clear water from a spring. Modest cost, simple packaging, yet each taste exceeds its standing. A subtle reward for regular evenings, consistently present, always satisfying. —a friend

A refined brandy blended with premium French Cognac, aged four years in oak. The bouquet offers notes of fruits, wood, herbs, and spices. The rich palate adds hints of prunes, pralines, and vanilla, concluding with a long finish featuring oak notes. (November 2015 / August 2017)

A respectable 3 stars. It's not overly complicated, with a subtle aroma and flavor. Notes of dark fruit are faint, there's minimal ethanol burn, and the finish is brief. However, it's well-rounded, offering creamy butterscotch, hints of wood spice, and vanilla. It resembles a less potent Canadian whisky, like Crown, with a whisper of fruit.

Straightforward. Sugary. Woody. A touch of tartness and a nearly sulfurous aroma. It’s probably fine for mixing, but it's largely unpolished. The price is acceptable for what you get, yet it doesn't live up to its VSOP status. I'll never pick this one when I want something to drink neat.

This is my inaugural brandy, and I'm genuinely curious about the spirit, which I'll consider a success. It's smooth and sweet, yet lacks significant character, which is fine. When mixed in a Sidecar with Cointreau, it struggles to make an impact, but it's quite pleasant when consumed straight.