Torres 20 Hors d'Age Brandy

Rating: 17/23 Torres 10 and 15 are packed with flavor, yet sweet and rather simple and young with a sugary taste. They're decent, but definitely not top-tier. I'm interested in this one, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Nose: Sweet raisins, figs, prunes, and other syrupy fruit. Vanilla, caramel, molasses. Some confectioner's sugar, but less than in the other versions. This is rich, syrupy, fruity decadence. Extremely rich and full. Palate: Extremely rich with good fullness, although not the most viscous mouthfeel. Decadent vanilla and rich, dark, dried, syrupy fruits. Some minerality for sure, but it's not overwhelming. There's a bold vanilla flavor as well. Notes of glaceed apricots too. Honestly, the maturity and complexity are nice. This is delicious. Very faint hints of baking spices. And very faint hints of licorice too. Finish: This dries out a bit, but there's still some sweetness, with vanilla and some lingering dried dark fruit backing, as well as minerals - Conclusion - Torres is excelling with this bottling! Absolutely outstanding. Not the best thing I've ever tried, but it significantly raises the bar over what the younger expressions offer. This tastes younger, more vegetal, and sweeter, with a more muddled character than A De Fussigny XO (18/23). It's a stranger comparison than I anticipated. More ethanol and bite emerge from the A De Fussigny. Hennessy XO (20/23) is clearly superior to this. Dudognon Vielle Reserve (16/23) is less full and shows more ethanol, though it is cleaner with a more refined air. This one is clearly better. So I was considering an 18 before comparisons, but now I'm thinking it might be more of a 17. Bladnoch 17 (17/12) is funky and musty in comparison, with some jumbled flavors, even including some noteworthy notes. Challenging for sure. I appreciate the mature decadence of the Bladnoch, but I'm inclined to favor this Torres. I'm now leaning towards a 17, but I can see an 18.

While not a divine revelation, it's a fine example of premium aged brandy. It's not a cognac, though that might be a passing thought; still, it's a great drink for a relaxing evening. Notes of prunes, caramel, warm pastry with toffee and nougat, hints of vanilla, and layers of milk chocolate.

I was eager to try this, but I can't say I'm fond of the taste, nor is it particularly smooth. I sampled it neat, with ice, and so on. I wouldn't typically use such a costly spirit in a cocktail, but it actually makes a fantastic hot toddy.

Anticipating this brandy, I had high hopes. It possessed all the elements for excellence: crafted like a cognac and from a reputable brand. While it's decent, it falls a bit short. I don't find it compellingly drinkable.

Pleasant, delicate Brandy.

Flowery, with a prolonged, robust taste.