A wonderful blend of natural passionfruit, cranberry, & fine cognac. Perfect chilled on the rocks or mixed as a cosmopolitan.

Red Carpet & Rock Stars
3 parts Alizé Red Passion
3 parts Champagne or sparkling wine
Serve chilled in a champagne flute. Garnish with a lime twist.

32

Cognac Specialty

France

A CollaborAtion Between Celebrated Connoisseurs
Handcrafted by Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Conjure is made from the ugni blanc grape from blends that represent a variety of Cognac regions, including, Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Borderie. A highly unique blend of both young and old cognacs, Conjure has been aged in fifty year-old oak barrels from Limousin, which can be found only in a boutique house such as Birkedal Hartmann. The combination of Conjure’s distinct blend and aged barrels provides an unparalleled complexity of smoothness, definition, and flavor. The first of its kind, Conjure features the full body and smooth finish of a quality French cognac combined with the mixability of a lighter spirit

The rich copper color of Conjure accents a bouquet of cedar, cocoa, and hazelnut. Hints of vanilla, apricot and dried prune leave a smooth, warm feeling and long lasting elegant finish on the palate.
Eye: mahogany, deep amber, gold & copper
Nose: oak, cocoa, hazelnut spice, leather, powerful & complex
Taste: structure, prunes, apricot, vanilla, hints of spice, rich toffee, tobacco nuttiness

80

Cognac

France

Courvoisier VS is aged longer to give a more distinctive character and a more rounded taste.

The Master Blender’s tasting notes : A fruity, delicate taste with a bouquet suffused with ripe fruit and spring flowers. The aroma is rich, fresh and oaky balanced with the vigour of a young cognac. The finish is short but very intense and as powerful as the aroma.

80

Cognac

France

Still built upon the great heritage of the Courvoisier® brand, VSOP Exclusif has a younger, more contemporary feel. Designed to be mixed, VSOP Exclusif brings a modern twist to cognac and an extravagant streak to cocktail drinking. It is also one of the oldest VSOPs so when it is drunk straight it delivers the most sophisticated smoothness and richness available.

The Master Blender’s tasting notes : Courvoisier® VSOP Exclusif is subtle and harmonious, it has a nice spicy flavour with undertones of vanilla and gingerbread.

Notes: Billed as the worlds first "mixable" cognac, this is a new line extension of the venerable Courvoisier line which includes the usual grades V. S., V.S.O.P. ,and their premium cognacs Napoleon, X.O.Fine Champagne ,X. O Imperial, Initial® Extra, Millennium and Courvoisier® Succession J. S. L’Esprit de Courvoisier® and the Erte Collection.

The distinguishing characteristic from a blending standpoint in the Exclusif is the use of Borderies grapes, which are not usual to a cognac blend and lend more depth and complexity allowing the cognac to stand up to mixers and be more assertive.

First Impression: Apricots, cinnamon, ginger, caramel, and oily nuts and some oak and vanilla. A sweet, almost sherry or jam like-like smell to it. Quite distinctive distinctive, somewhat heavy nose to it.

Appearance: Attractive red/gold color like a good cup of tea. leaves thin coat with long legs on swirling. Could be mistaken for a bourbon in color.

Taste: Rather dry and spicier than other expressions with much more forward (read more pronounced) cinnamon, ginger and slight nutmeg qualities, then the more usual dark fruits, notes of vanilla and a slightly hot, noticeably, drier finish.

Drinks: We tried the drinks mentioned on the website, all of them were good, if not exciting. Worked well in a Black Pagoda (basically a brandy Manhattan -see Gary Regan's Bartenders Bible) and the fruitiness made for a wonderful brandy base for red Sangria (soak the fruit in it overnight for best results) although I would recommend a cheaper alternative depending on the crowd you are serving. Try swapping it out in a bourbon based drink- you'll be surprised how well it works - but it is a touch drier so keep that in mind.

Bottle: A complete departure from the usual Courvoisier cognac bottle (think bell or apple shaped with a long neck), more of a brandy or wine bottle with some subtle curves and accents. There is a curved line starting at the right shoulder and a pinched lower waist to the bottle - very similar in some ways to the new Noilly Pratt vermouth bottles -but still sports the raised pommel with a Napoleon medallion at the neck. Cream colored lettering gold neck wrap and a stoppered real cork closure.

Other: Twice-distilled in copper alembic pot stills and aged in French oak casks.

Final Thoughts: A heavy, spicy, cognac that is easy to drink despite its roughness - far more refined than Asbach Uralt., but somewhat reminiscent. If you like bourbon or Jack Daniel's more than a standard cognac, this cognac is for you. An interesting variation on their usual flavor profile and well worth a try with cocktails in mind.
www.spiritsreview.com/

80

Cognac

France

 

36

Cognac

France

From the Francoli distillery, Piemont, Italy. Bright and silver that shimmers, rich nose, slightly bitter, smooth.

80

Grappa

Italy

80

Grappa

Italy

Hennessy V.S ‘Very Special’ is the reference cognac the world over. Illustrating the consistency of the Hennessy style for more than a century, its fine balance between power and elegance has made it popular with millions of connoisseurs. Its versatility and strong character have the compelling appeal of something ‘very special’.

The powerful bouquet is dominated by overtones of oak, giving way to reveal a delicate scent of hazelnuts.Intense and floral, V.S combines the sweetness of red fruits with a hint of vanilla that lingers on the palate.

80

Cognac

France

In 2009, a limited edition bottle of Hennessy VS was released in honor of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America. The bottle featured a black label with gold lettering. Also, the circle seal towards the base of the neck featured a large 44, the phrase "In Honor of the 44th President" and the date of Mr. Obama's inauguration. A percentage of the proceeds made from the sales of the limited edition bottles will go towards the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

80

Cognac

France

Hennessy Privilège was blended for a prince and it is still beautifully rounded today. It has a complex aromatic balance with suppleness, depth and persistence.

The product of a gradual blend of about 60 eaux-de-vie taken from the four first growing areas in the Cognac region, Privilège is slowly matured in old barrels from which most of the tannin has been extracted.

A delicate blend of wood notes and spices, punctuated by the scent of cloves and cinnamon. Sophisticated, sensual and harmonious, it is characterized by the fragrance of honey and a suggestion of liquorice.

80

Cognac

France

Hennessy X.O. is composed of over one hundred cognacs from Grande and Petite Champagne, Boreries and Fins Bois, coming from the world's largest reserve of aged eaux-de-vie. Aroma: well-structured and generous, with notes spices, oak, ripe fruit, old leather and delicately scented flowers. Taste: well-balanced on the palate, unveiling strong predominating peppery and rancio flavors attesting to its long ageing. It is complex and persistent. 80 Proof.

80

Cognac

France

First impression: delightful, perfumed notes

Sensory journey: notes of jasmine, acacia, vanilla, oak and fruit. Delicate, well-balanced, mellow and smooth on the palate.

Blend: a Fine Champagne blend of over 25 cognacs. More than 50% are from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne and the remaining from the Petite Champagne, the 2 finest cognac crus.

80

Cognac

France

Avenue Vine points us to a new cognac that is going to be available in the U.S. this month. Jacques Cardin Cognac VSOP has a sexy angular bottle with a silver top with a Fleur de Lys on it. The cognac is made in France with Ugni-Blanc grapes. The Jacques Cardin Cognac is a blend of cognacs, each aged at least four years. The blend is aged in small French oak casks and comes in three flavors, the traditional VSOP, JC Apple VSOP and JC Jasmin VSOP. The apple is created using wines chosen for their aromas of pear, apricot, and apple while the Jasmin is made with a distillate imported from India. it sounds more like perfume than cognac but I'm still curious.

www.luxist.com

80

Brandy

France

Avenue Vine points us to a new cognac that is going to be available in the U.S. this month. Jacques Cardin Cognac VSOP has a sexy angular bottle with a silver top with a Fleur de Lys on it. The cognac is made in France with Ugni-Blanc grapes. The Jacques Cardin Cognac is a blend of cognacs, each aged at least four years. The blend is aged in small French oak casks and comes in three flavors, the traditional VSOP, JC Apple VSOP and JC Jasmin VSOP. The apple is created using wines chosen for their aromas of pear, apricot, and apple while the Jasmin is made with a distillate imported from India. it sounds more like perfume than cognac but I'm still curious.

www.luxist.com

80

Brandy

France

The highest quality Cognac on the market today, Louis XIII de Rémy Martin has been carefully tended by three generations of Rémy Martin cellar masters.
The result is a magical combination of savoir-faire, art and patience.

Louis XIII de Rémy Martin uses only grapes from the Grande Champagne region which guarantees its unique, exclusive quality.
It is blended from eaux de vie, some more than a century in age, then it is aged in 'tiercons', barrels that are several hundred years old, in a cellar set apart for it alone.

Undoubtedly the world's finest, this exceptional Cognac has always been a favorite in the world of politics, fashion, and art. Its connoisseurs include Christian Dior and Elton John. Queen Elizabeth II, who was served Louis XIII de Rémy Martin Grande Champagne Cognac in Versailles Palace in honor of her 1957 visit to France. And Winston Churchill, who celebrated his election victory with it in 1951.

Appellation: Grande Champagne Cognac.

Color: Very Dark Golden Yellow, Fiery Red Tint, Mahogany

First nose: Narcissus, Jasmine, Very Old Tawny port, Cigar box Scent, Curry, Saffron, Nutmeg, Passion fruit

Second nose: Violet, Iris, Litchi, Pineapple, Eucalyptus and Sandalwood.

First palate: Very Concentrated, Rich in Aromas, Warm, Harmonious

Second palate: The Highest Complexity Including Aromas from First and Second Noses

Finish: 1 hour

80

Cognac

France

www.remy.com - www.louis-xiii.com

A pure natural brandy made by fermenting and distilling only the finest blue plums grown in the rich soil of the Adriatic coast. The spirit is traditionally double-distilled. The fruit comes from trees at least 20 years old. The mash is fermented for three months then distilled again and matured. During the maturation hand-selected fresh plums are added for more aroma.

80

Slivovitz

Croatia

The little black dress of cognacs. Sophisticated, stylish and a classic with a golden copper colour, and a floral aroma with a spicy touch. A taste which is rich in fruit and wood with a delicate aftertaste.

Martell , a superior blend of the finest cognacs, known for superb quality, is produced by blending carefully selected eaux-de-vie from the four finest growing areas in the Cognac region. Rich in Champagnes, matured Borderies and Fins Bois, Martell's Cordon Bleu has long been acknowledged by connoisseurs as a classic among great Cognacs.

80

Cognac

France

Metaxa is a special Greek spirit invented by a silk trader named Spyros Metaxas. This happened in 1888 in Attica region, the province of Athens. Since then, the product has earned world recognition for its quality, color and taste. The product has been marketed very well all around the world and became famous creating a very large number of dedicated lovers. Expressions of admiration and adjectives like "The Elixir of Life", "The Nectar of the Gods", "The Blessed Spirit" accompanied Metaxa from its birth, till this very day!

Rich, smooth and mellow. The finest with distillates are matured for a minimum of 5 years and then blended with select island grapes. To create this spirit of distinction.

80

Metaxa

Greece

Metaxa is a special Greek spirit invented by a silk trader named Spyros Metaxas. This happened in 1888 in Attica region, the province of Athens. Since then, the product has earned world recognition for its quality, color and taste. The product has been marketed very well all around the world and became famous creating a very large number of dedicated lovers. Expressions of admiration and adjectives like "The Elixir of Life", "The Nectar of the Gods", "The Blessed Spirit" accompanied Metaxa from its birth, till this very day!

Rich, smooth and mellow. The finest with distillates are matured for a minimum of 7 years and then blended with select island grapes. To create this spirit of distinction.

80

Metaxa

Greece

Presented in its remarkable bottle decorated with a black panther, Meukow VS Cognac offers much higher distinctive tasting qualities than the average VS.

Old gold, brilliant with copper tints.

Full aroma with dried fruits notes.

Generous woody notes typical of small oak barrels ageing.

Long smoothness with liquorice and nutmeg notes.

Drink responsibly.

60

Cognac

France

It is a result of a mistake of a wine maker in the town of Burie in 1589. He had put new grape juice into a barrel containing a small quantity of Cognac. And forgot about it. Sometime later, the wine maker tasted it, liked it and that is how Pineau des Charentes was born.

Today, Pineau des Charentes must be made by Pineau producers from the same grapes and in the same region as Cognac. There are two types of Pineau des Charentes; White which is made of white grapes like St. Emillion, la Folle Blanche and Colombar. Fruity wines are sometimes added (sweet Merlot, white Jurancon, Semilion or Sauvignon).

Rose is made of Malbec, red Merlot, Cabernet franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Cognac is blended with the new grape juice within hours of grapes pressing to produce Pineau des Charentes. Grapes must be very ripe in order to obtain grape juice that is rich in natural sugars. Pineau des Charentes is the result of stopping the fermentation of the grape juice by adding Cognac which must be at least one year old.

80

Cognac

France

www.pineau.fr

Known by its frosted green bottle, Rémy Martins V.S.O.P. is the flagship of the brand. One bottle alone contains hundreds of blend components, ranging from four to fifteen years in age. The brand itself is a Fine Champagne Cognac taken from the two best crus. And with its golden amber color (old pale), smoothness, complexity and yet balanced, perfectly mature. Consider the fact that one of every three V.S.O.P.s sold in the world carries the name of Rémy Martin.

80

Cognac

France

Rémy Martin XO Excellence, the Best of XO, stands out for its texture, complexity and richness, with more smoothness and perfect balance. This superb cognac is for those who demand and enjoy the best in life. This Fine Champagne Cognac has been blended with a symphony of more than 300 « eaux-de-vie » which are from 10 to 37 years old thereby leading to a myriad of aromas, a unique velvet texture and a longer finish. To vary the pleasure and savour its unique aromas and richness, try it neat, on the rocks or with fine foods; foie gras, chocolate desserts, sweet steamed dumplings.

80

Cognac

France

St. Vivant Armagnac is a smooth, high quality brandy. Made in France, it has a full flavor and a rich tradition that dates back to 1559 when St. Vivant de la Salle produced the first bottle of Armagnac Brandy. The famous “crooked bottle” recalls the original bottles used by St. Vivant.

Today, St. Vivant still uses select white wine grapes, native to the southwestern French region of Gascony. These grapes are fermented and distilled in a traditional copper pot still. The resulting spirits are aged in oak casks until they are transformed into a full-flavored 80 proof brandy. The St. Vivant cellar master then begins his delicate task of blending the brandy until he achieves the St. Vivant Armagnac’s smooth, consistent flavor and golden amber color.

Try St. Vivant with tonic and a twist of lemon or lime.

80

Armagnac

France

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