Paulet VSOP Cognac

Nose - sweet grape, butterscotch, plum, fig, floral hints, vanilla, yeast, brown sugar, allspice, with a moderate alcohol burn. Taste - metallic grape, caramel, vanilla, bitter herbal notes, yeast, spoiled meat, clove, a mild to moderate alcohol bite. The finish is quick with grape, baking spice, and bitter herb flavors. This is a slight improvement over the VS, but only a very small one. The aroma is certainly superior. I could even mistake it for a cognac if I didn't know. Nothing here is particularly bad, except that it's quite bright and lacks integration. Once again, the palate takes a turn for the worse, though not as severely as its younger counterpart. Some of the same bready, industrial spoiled meat notes reappear, along with the usual unpleasant bitterness. While it's better than the VS, it's also more expensive, making Paulet a brand to skip. It might work as a mixer, but there are superior choices available.

Prunes, caramel & toffee, aged oak tannins, clove, grassy caraway, licorice, Meyer lemon, poached pears, golden apples, white peach. Orchard fruits, coffee, white chocolate, and French oak pepper linger. A bit too thin.

The aromas are very oak-forward with bright fruits like pineapple, grape, pear, apple, and cherry, along with hints of alcohol. The flavors favor fruit over wood, and the alcohol level is just right.

Quite enjoyable. The nose has a Port-like quality with hints of toffee and caramel. Palate: Nutty, with burnt caramel and a touch of molasses. I'm pleased with it.

It has honeyed fruits and some floral notes. The body is light, but adding water makes the texture more oily.