Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal Cognac

Rating: 16/23 Why did I purchase this again? I didn't enjoy it previously. Perhaps my palate has evolved, or maybe I now have a greater appreciation for the unusual aspects of life. It served its purpose well this evening, though, as I was evaluating the Pierre Ferrand Double Cask and Delamain Pale & Dry, and my only open options were higher-end brandies. The Delamain was somewhat comparable to one of those, but I needed better comparative choices. Thus, I was pleased to have this available. Nose: Rich cherry, almost syrupy sweet. Some spicy wood offers balance. There's also a funky, oily element. It's a complex aroma, but I wish the cherry was less intense. The funk is a bit challenging, but not as much as some young Glenfarclas. I'd prefer more age to approach old Glenfarclas, but you can't expect everything from a $40 brandy. I appreciate the complexity and richness of the nose. Palate: This Cognac has a rich cherry flavor mixed with spicy (primarily cinnamon and pepper) wood and a significant oily texture. It's indulgent, but perhaps too much for those who prefer less sweet drinks (a valid preference). Vanilla notes emerge from the wood. It's flavorful but also rather young. The Pierre Ferrand Double Oak seemed younger, but this lacks the maturity of the Delamain Pale & Dry or A De Fussigny XO. It's comparable to candy in contrast. When compared to the A De Fussigny, its body isn't as full. Introducing Hennessy XO or Delord 25 into the comparison diminishes its perceived fullness. Finish: The fruit becomes more bitter, with a hint of lingering sweetness, an oiliness that now seems slightly nutty, some wood notes, and touches of spice. It's an entirely acceptable finish, though not particularly exciting. - Conclusion - I definitely underestimated this before. It's a good value brandy that's easy to sip. To be fair, that was over 2 years ago... and I suppose that's a significant time? When compared to premium options, there's no real competition – it's not on that level. The Delord 25 also offers substantial value, making me consider paying slightly more for a superior brandy. However, this is likely more accessible. It's a fine example of a typical moderately aged Cognac. Interestingly, I find it nearly as good as Rémy Martin XO. It tastes like it could be an XO. It would likely just barely qualify, but it could be considered. The Rémy Martin XO didn't particularly impress me given its price. With all the comparisons I've made, I'll settle on a 16. I would now recommend this brandy.

My allergies have been brutal for two weeks straight, messing with my taste. I grabbed a small bottle of this after seeing good feedback and a reasonable price. Tonight feels like the right time to give it a go. My Cognac knowledge is limited to the basics here. I'm unsure if a Glencairn is the proper vessel, but we make do with what we have. The aroma is predictably fruity, evoking an apple orchard mixed with a candy store. A pleasant buttercream scent lies beneath. Things are looking up. The flavor echoes the aroma. It reminds me of an unaged Speyside, like Singleton, or a Lowland malt, such as Glenkinchie, but it's lighter than both (I have no other Cognacs to compare, so I'm using whisky as a reference). It's enjoyable but a bit simple, and the finish is quite short, which is understandable for 40% ABV (though I assume most spirit drinkers don't favor high-proof selections like we do, so pardon my pretentiousness). As it sits longer, I detect some tannic notes from the French oak, similar to Compass Box Oak Cross or Spice Tree. The finish has a nice spice that complements the fruit. A good change from whisky, especially with my dulled senses. I didn't want to use a GlenDronach or Four Roses on a stuffy nose, but this was a pleasant alternative. It's always beneficial to broaden our tasting horizons beyond whisky occasionally. It helps us further appreciate our preferred brown spirits. Cheers!

Before reaching the 100th tasting, I'm trying to get through a few more recent drinks I've kept in my home bar. They serve as a starting point before I explore further. The smell is fantastic, with fig and plum becoming stewed prune. A hint of salt prepares the mouth for a baked apple pie with cinnamon and clove, accompanied by very dry mead, carried by just the right amount of oak into the distance. This beverage is perfect for the transition from summer to autumn. For the record, I do like Hennessy VSOP as a "non-whiskey/liqueur" option, but this one surpasses it. It's also a bit more ostentatious than the already extravagant Champagne bottle Remy Martin comes in, offering good value for its cost, and I'm here for it. I'll likely keep Courvoisier on hand too, solely for mixing with Benedictine, but this particular spirit is for savoring....GOOD GRIEF, IT'S $61 NOW?! *my fancy glass slips into the drink*

Revisiting a long-open bottle. An absolutely stunning rich mahogany in the glass, but unfortunately no extra weight at only 40%. Butterscotch and dark amarena cherry nose. Black walnut. A crisp, piney menthol gives the nostrils a firm tickle. The palate starts gently sweet then turns decidedly dry. Dark chocolate caramels and macerated prune. Astringent wood dominates the later palate with prominent barrel influence - charred oak and vanillas mingle with some gentian and bitter orange. The dryness lingers through a moderate finish. Packed with bombastic flavor and quite enjoyable to explore. At the end of the day, I think the barrel notes are a bit too strong and some elegance is lost, but it’s gorgeous, intriguing, and affordable, and certainly more than adequate for a brooding evening in your study.

Very beautiful on the nose with aromas of toffee, caramel, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, candy.. mellow and enjoyable feeling when smelling it. In the mouth, a little contrast to the nose as it's medium to full body with notes of prune, plum, oak, vanilla, dark chocolate, pepper and spice.. a little more spice at first but better over time (but still has more spice than I prefer). Wait for a while and it becomes more mellow and fluid, spice is softer but still noticeable, with a moderate length aftertaste with notes of toffee and dark chocolate. For the bottle without a box, the bottle itself isn't so appealing to me, and the price is around $110.. If I want to impress some people, I'll pick this one, but if I want to drink alone for hours, I might pick a different cognac instead, but that's just my humble opinion.

A much better offering from Remy Martin, this one is significantly better than Remy Martin VSOP. The price is a bit high though, but as a sipping cognac this one is a solid choice and readily available. The nose has vanilla and dried fruit notes. The palate is pretty sweet, with apricot and oak, but not overwhelmingly so like the VSOP. The finish does have a touch of burn, but it has solid length and pepper notes to close. Is this worth the price? I would say it depends on if you are planning to use this primarily as a cocktail ingredient. If so, then you may want to try cheaper options like Hine H VSOP and the Pierre Ferrand lines, but if you want something for everyday drinking, this would be a solid option.