Recently the guys behind Wu-Dram Clan released an old Cognac. A Jean-Luc Pasquet, which has proven to be a rather noteworthy Cognac house that works really well for whisky fanatics. More or less at the same time they released an Armagnac with Kirsch Import, under the GrapeDiggaz label. The first one is from 1958, while the second one is a lot younger but still has the respectable vintage of 1995.
I was lucky enough to get samples of both and last weekend I sat down to try both of them on a (rare) quiet moment.
Jean-Luc Pasquet 1958-2022, Cognac Grande Champagne, 43.1%
Sniff:
Massive notes of soft oak and orange. Metallic notes of copper and iron too. It’s rather high on minerals as well, with some grapeseed oil.
Sip:
The palate is rather light and crisp on the arrival. Some pepper and bit of fruity richness follows. Oak, iron, minerals and grape stuff. Both grape seeds and grape skin, in texture. Black pepper too.
Swallow:
The finish is surprisingly intense with lots of iron and oak. Lots of grape things again, like on the palate.
This is a very layered Cognac! It’s very classical on one hand, but rather crisp notes keep it very interesting. The huge age on this brandy does not make it over aged, or dusty or boring at all. It’s very interesting for a deep dive, and very good to drink. Lovely stuff!
89/100
Maison Aurian 1995-2022, Bas Armagnac, 48.9%
Sniff:
Well, compared to the Cognac, you get the traditional increased richness from a Armagnac. There’s quite some oak on this one, mostly notes of European oak (that would be my guess anyway). Spices and candied orange, black pepper and chocolate.
Sip:
The black pepper comes forward on the palate as well. There’s a fruity, orangy sweetness with a bit of pith bitterness behind it. White chocolate and espresso.
Swallow:
The finish is very dry, much more than I expected from the palate. There’s some chili pepper heat with orange and apricot. Some cocoa powder too.
The scents and flavors of this Armagnac is all over the place, but feels anything but inconsistent. It’s just quite complex and shows a lot of different flavors. A gorgeous brandy with lots of things to be discovered.
90/100
Malt Fascination 