Pierre Ferrand Réserve Double Cask Cognac

Rating: 15/23 Appearance: Compared side-by-side with Delamain Pale & Dry, I notice this one is slightly darker. The difference is apparent, though not drastic. Nose: A pleasant blend of rich, dry, oily, sweet fruit (like orange, subtle cherry, and apple), and spice (ginger and cinnamon). It has solid complexity, a nice character, and good harmony. It doesn't present as exceptionally aged or robust, but I enjoy it. Palate: Flavors of orange, cherry, and strawberry appear, gradually followed by apple and apple skin notes. Spice emerges – cinnamon and ginger – along with the barrel's influence, offering a dry wood taste that isn't as strong as the "Double Cask" name might suggest. There's a hint of oiliness as well. It's pleasant, but that's pretty much the extent of the palate experience. In contrast, A De Fussigny XO is much richer and fuller, with comparable complexity. This offering is thinner, with a more prominent alcohol presence and less intense flavors. Finish: I detect the more bitter aspects of the fruit, though some sweetness remains. The wood lingers briefly. Spices provide a slight tingle, and perhaps a touch of black pepper develops. The finish is slightly shorter than medium. - Conclusion - This is a very good brandy and a commendable example of various facets of Cognac. However, it doesn't reach excellence. I'd place it between 14 and 17, leaning towards 16. Delamain Pale & Dry, rated a 17, is clearly superior. The more I compare them, the wider the gap becomes. This falls in the 15 to 16 range, but I'm leaning towards 15, considering the significant difference compared to the Delamain, which barely achieved a 17. As a final comparison, I opened a bottle of Rémy Martin 1738, which seems slightly better, though not a major improvement. Also, I tried ABK6 VSOP. It's more akin to the Delamain (though sweeter and less complex, perhaps a blend of the two). I found these two reasonably comparable. If I had to pick a winner between them, it would be the Pierre Ferrand, but the margin is small. Ultimately, while it possesses some appealing flavors, it's a bit too young and sweet for my preference. Many thanks to a friend for sharing a sample!

I'm still on my brandy journey and wanted to try cognac officially. Hennessy XO seems like a common choice that many enjoy, but two hundred bucks feels excessive. Perhaps in the future. For the moment, this bottle caught my attention. I'm a fan of their dry curaçao, and their Amber has received good feedback. That said, I appreciate woody and earthy notes and was hoping this would elevate the experience. It certainly did. The color is fairly light, somewhere between an unaged scotch and a bourbon. The aroma is packed with orange, lemon blossom, milk chocolate, pecans, vanilla, and just a hint of oak. This is it. The texture is thick, decadent, warm, and coats the palate. This is exactly what I was anticipating. The taste is bold and a little sharp initially (tastes slightly over its stated proof). It features creamy nougat, oak, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, and just a whisper of grape jam. There are no unpleasant tastes - no ethanol, no metallic sulfur, nothing. Pure satisfaction all around. The finish lingers with more nougat, milk chocolate, orange, and a subtle tobacco note. What an experience. This is like drinking a dessert. I'm now convinced that Cognac isn't something to dread for a mouthful of flint, copper coins, and alcohol, as I recall from years past. For the cost, I feel I'm receiving the same quality as a similarly priced premium bourbon. Now I need to find a silk robe, a snifter, and a mustache - none of which I own but suddenly desire.

This cognac is outstanding. The double barrel aging imparts a wonderfully complex character. The nose offers young fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, with hints of chocolate and orange peel. These notes carry through to the palate, developing into a Christmas cake profile. The finish is long and smooth. I would only drink this neat. Considering the price, it represents excellent value for anyone seeking a smooth and complex cognac compared to older, pricier options.

This is the bottling without 'reserve' on the label, though I believe it's the same product. Initial aromas from the bottle include oak, figs, and raisins. After some time in the glass, cooked apple notes appear. The flavors mirror the nose, with the addition of a touch of caramel. The mouthfeel is soft and very smooth. The finish has a gentle warmth and is easy to drink. Enjoyable.

The aromas are herbal, toffee, figs, with a hint of mint. The flavors are similar to the nose, with coffee becoming more prominent. Add some nuts, and it's easily sweet with a touch of astringency in the finish. Good for sipping.

Very sharp. Quite alcoholic, so it could be smoother. Still awesome though! As a side note: adding a drop of water helped.