Cognac Vallein Tercinier LOT 85 Original Bottling for Precious Liquors

Cognac house: Vallein - Tercinier

Region: Petite Champagne

Single cask (1/2 of 400 liters Limousine oak cask)

Cask strength

Age: 35YO

Vintage: 1985

Bottled: 2020

ABV: 51%

Volume: 700ml

Bottling info:

Vallein Tercinier family has been connected with the Cognac region for five centuries, it has been famous for wine production for more than two centuries and has made unique cognacs for 170 years. Experience and family tradition underlie the incredible quality of beverages produced by the Terciniers. Lot 85 is the perfect example of it.  Cask selected by Precious Liquors CEO, ½ of this cask was bottled  by Vallein Tercinier for Precious Liquors.

Tasting note: 

This is cask strength.

Colour: gold.

Nose: I think it's not the first time I'm finding a little botrytis in some Vallein Tercinier. Naturally, this cannot be, unless they've added drops of old Sauternes or other similar beauties to the cask while no one was watching. Or it is just an analogical feeling, after all there are no peaches in cognac either. So, stewed peaches, a tiny mentholy side, some sultanas, some liquorice… In fact all these are not really spectacular, it's the balance and the way all this is working together that's brilliant. Think the Zappa band, ha. With water: a little saponification for a few seconds (happens), then biscuits, tobacco, a little mint and a little camphor, green melons, then simply some lovely green tea. I'm often quoting blue-green Wulong/Oolong… They have some great ones in Taiwan.

Mouth (neat): starts liquorice-and-citron-driven, gets then unexpectedly salty (a wee bit), then herbal (mint tea, walnut skin) and lastly, fruity. Peaches, apricots and raisins. With water: herbs and fruit peel or skin in majesty. A very curious feeling of peat in the background. No, my glass was immaculately clean, I promise. 

Finish: long… hold on, it's got 'something' of Highland Park. Comments: a wonderful rather grassier petite champagne. Hope mad (and very sick) Mr P***n won't start to call their own brandies 'nebol'shoy shampanskoye' and make the use of petite champagne by French cognac-makers illegal in R***a. Score: 89/100

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