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By: David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 2/8/2023 | Send Email
This insane offering has always been something we've wanted to carry, but the very high price tag (upwards of $250) made it seem out of reach. Now that we're able to offer it at a more reasonable price, it might be one of the most exciting cognacs we've ever stocked. It's a total bomb, not suited for cognac drinkers looking for something easy and sweet, but will easily win over lovers of old unobtainable American whiskey, intense richly sherried malt or cask strength Armagnac. This is a selection from Bouju's oldest stocks with a minimum age of around 40 years and a not insignificant proportion of brandies much much older, maybe 80+ years old. According to M. Bouju, it's bottled without coloring, filtration or reduction of any kind. M. Bouju insists the reason for the excessively dark color is the lack of reduction, something that normally happens several times during an eau-de-vie's maturation and blending. Instead, he says, he distills and reduces slightly before barreling and does absolutely nothing else for over the next 4 decades. When it hits 100 proof naturally, the resulting cognac is a force of nature. This nose puts us square in bourbon land, dense dry woodsy with fruit compote (figs & plums), cacao nibs, sweet herbs, all kinds of baking spice. Relatively gentle on the palate considering the high proof, but very dry, dark fruits and a big minty herbal finish. A benchmark by any standard. 5 Stars.
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By: Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 5/13/2022 | Send Email
I have never beheld a cognac with a color as dark and dense as this. It pours like very old rare sherry, and it shares some similar attributes on the nose. But the similarities end there, as this is something entirely singular and distinct. Cocoa and molasses join dried figs and old, lacquered wood in this unnervingly powerful expression of Grande Champagne fruit. Despite its intensity, it shows a deft hand, albeit without a modicum of restraint. This is the sort of spirit that renders everything around it bland and tasteless by comparison- it is a black hole of flavor that sucks you in the moment you cross that invisible threshold. There is no escape. Fans of well-aged spirits across the board will adore this. Whether you miss old-school, age-stated bourbon, love intensely sherried malt, or have been collecting Cognac for years, you will surely want a bottle of this.
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By: Anthony Russo | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 3/4/2018 | Send Email
The color is so intense and intriguing and the nose is nothing short: mint, dried stone fruit, and dark molasses. The Cognac is vibrant on the palate; the flavors really stick to the taste buds and continually evolve and show different complexities. Super interesting. All this without any additives. An amazing example of how deep and complex a Cognac with the right age can be.
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By: Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 1/18/2018 | Send Email
This is no light, easy, fruity cognac that I had come to associate with Bouju, this is dark, rich and intense. The nose immediately shows the long slow aging of this spirit, with dried fruit, baked cinnamon, cardamom, and old leather. The power and concentration here are unforgettable, flavors of old oak and concentrated fruit that linger long on the tongue.
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By: Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 1/15/2018 | Send Email
This Cognac has a deep dark color that reflects the extended aging. Delicate aromas
lead to a Cognac that is complex and full bodied with concentrated dried fruit flavors that are not sweet but lively and tasty. There is a lot going on here. This is one to sit down with, sip and think about.
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