For a while, we were stumped as to where to go to taste Cognac, Armagnac, etc, as not many bars have a wide selection of them and these drinks do tend to be expensive, so finding a bar with a low markup is something of a necessity. A quick visit to the Hawksmoor for lunch included a quick browse of the “digestif” menu, which included 3 or 4 each of Cognac and Armagnac, as well as Calvados and a few other curiosities in addition to their impressive and well renowned cocktail menu. A quick chat with the very knowledgeable barman about rum, tequila and also brandies convinced me that it was the place to go. So a week later, on a relatively quiet Tuesday night, we set about our task.
Francois Voyer XO Cognac
Medium amber with a brown tint
Medium(+) intensity, very aged nose of dried fruit, raisins, prunes, spice, vanilla, wet leaves, rancio and richness.
Soft, integrated alcohol with medium body and prunes, spice and rancio.
Complex, balanced finish with smooth alcohol fading to spice and fruit with rancio notes.
Hennessy VS Cognac (tiny sample this one)
Medium amber
Short aged, medium intensity nose of walnuts, spice, waxy, caramel.
Medium sweetness, medium body and integration alcohol with caramel, dried fruits and chocolate
Balanced finish
Armagnac (can’t remember the specifics – probably VS)
Medium(+) intensity, tinned prunes, Christmas cake, vanilla and marzipan. Toast, waffles and maple syrup.
Armagnac 1968
Medium brown (no tawny, etc, just brown)
Chocolate, rum + raisin, dried fruits, prunes, caramel, Christmas cake
Very smooth, rich, medium sweet
Busnel Calvados 12 year old
Tropical fruit, apples, caramel, toffee, blossom
Caramel, apple, vanilla, dried fruit, toffee
Long length with balanced, complex finish
Grappa
Clear
Oily, cheese, socks, MSG, pear drops, vanilla
Full body, oily, cheese, strange cereal notes