Rémy Martin XO Cognac

The aroma is of figs and raisins, with a hint of orange candy and red licorice. As I sip, the aroma becomes a bit drier, but the raisin notes persist, blending into purple grape scents. The palate has sweet orange peel and red grapes, followed by baking spices and leather. Subsequent sips reveal subtle honey notes, which I found quite pleasant. The finish is quite dry, drier than a certain other cognac I've tried, leaving a mild leathery sensation in my mouth that I find appealing, with occasional pops of orange spice. This suggests it might contain a high proportion of aged cognac, and I wouldn't doubt it. This is a very well-crafted XO cognac, especially the finish, but considering it costs 45% more than another I tried, I'm not sure the extra expense is justified. For the same price, I could get an exceptionally aged scotch. And that's where the value proposition for this spirit starts to falter, as it's milder and less complex. (Please note: this is just one of five cognac samples I've had, so my limited experience should be considered. Perhaps I simply prefer sweeter drinks at this point?) I'm now thinking of moving on from cognac to armagnac. However, if you enjoy the flavor profile and like the distinctive bottle (which looks like a wrapped candy and features a centaur graphic) - it's a decent choice.

Rating: 16/23 The aroma is spicy with subtle hints of light fruit – perhaps raisin with a touch of cherry. There's a hint of wood and some rancio present. The taste is spicy with a lightly flavored, oily texture. For the spices, I detect cinnamon, clove, and possibly ginger. There's a good amount of floral vanilla and also some fruits leaning towards raisin with a hint of cherry and citrus. A long, mellow woody character approaches a tea-like flavor but doesn't quite reach it. The flavor isn't as full or as deeply complex as anticipated. A generic rancio is also present. It's enjoyable and well-made, certainly, but it doesn't achieve the richness or complexity I expect from an XO, especially from a premium producer. It reminds me of the disappointment when a certain bourbon is consistently less robust than others. However, it does possess a pleasant, mellow smoothness, though the spice provides a kick. Overall, I believe this is at least a 15, but I find it difficult to rate it above a 17. Some days, I might even consider it a 14. I'm weighing between a 15 and a 16, but I think 16 is the appropriate score.

I realize it's a major brand, heavily mixed, and uses caramel coloring... Nevertheless, this is a fantastic cognac. The aroma is intricate, featuring ripe fruits, lemon zest, spices, leather, oak, and a hint of sandalwood. The texture is smooth and refined. The flavor? Fruity, but more like ripe plums and cooked peaches. A touch of spice emerges, followed by oak, dried fruit, and a subtle smokiness. It definitely remains one of my preferred selections.

Color: Deeper than VSOP Nose: Smooth, warm caramel balanced by spice and grape (fresh, not dried grape). Delicate but lacks complexity. Smooth vanilla, richer rather than delicate, with moderate depth. Overall fresh. Fortunately, no grassy bitterness. Honey derived from herbs, not floral notes, is notable (like grapevines). Oak's woodiness provides the overall structure. Palate: Very smooth, soft, and delicate. Simultaneously sweet grape and fresh, with a pleasant hint of spice lingering. However, the mid-palate feels somewhat lacking. Finish: Pleasant. Grape and caramel (not rich, but delicate). - It's delicate if you want to be kind, but it's a bit bland. The missing mid-palate is a shame, but the delicate and warm impression is nice.

A very pleasant and refined spirit for slow sipping. Nose: Smells of ripe fruit and floral notes. Taste: Refined on the palate with ripe plums, candied oranges, hints of nuts and cinnamon, leading to a smooth, lingering finish. Warming the snifter in your hand will enhance its richness. However, bottling this at 43% ABV would have revealed more richness and a better mouthfeel.

Dark, strong black tea color with a copper sheen. The aroma is of dried fruit, especially prunes, flowers, hazelnuts, and chocolate; it's vibrant and slightly perfumed, smooth, not alcoholic. The taste includes prunes, floral hints, chocolate, and black coffee; it's smooth. The finish is very long, with nuts and dried fruit. Bottled on 05/22/2019. 95/100.