In relation to impartial cognac bottlings in Belgium, it’s truthful to say Malternative Belgium holds the crown. Nonetheless others are additionally doing a fantastic job at their very own tempo, Artwork Malts as an example (keep in mind their Pasquet Lot 79)?
We have a look at 4 of their releases from lesser recognized homes like Pierre de Ségonzac, Gousseland and Domaine du Chêne.
Cognac Pierre De Ségonzac XO ‘La Rencontre Lot 90’ – Grande Champagne (40%, OB for Artwork Malts 2024, 60 btl.)
Nostril: properly fragrant. Apricots, bergamot, with hints of white flowers like jasmine. Bitter berries with heady natural notes, like mint and rosemary. Then additionally walnuts and juicy raisins.
Mouth: extra fruitiness, on peaches, oranges. Later additionally figs and a touch of caramelized nuts., in addition to some fruit tea. Then additionally figs, quinces and extra raisin sweetness. Properly balanced, with some toasted bread and oak spice in direction of the tip. The ABV makes it a tad gentle, but additionally makes it extremely drinkable.
End: fairly lengthy, very lengthy, with a delicate leathery rancio observe and hints of fruit tea.
Actually good, particularly in the event you have a look at the worth. A really stable price-conscious selection. It provides a whole lot of qualities of older cognacs, solely at a barely extra accessible ABV. Out there from Artwork Malts.
Subsequent up: Gousseland, a small family-owned brouilleur in Chenac-Saint-Seurin-d’Uzet. They personal round 20 ha of vineyards in Bons Bois. Little or no data is accessible.
Cognac Gousseland Vielle Réserve 2000-2005-2008-2010 (40,12%, OB for Artwork Malts 2022, 72 btl.)
Nostril: a barely extra rustic and sweetprofile at first, with extra figs and grapes, hints of hazelnut. Some lighter marmalade and apricot jam, with crimson berries and loads of natural honey. Then floral notes which develop stronger over time, typical for Bons Bois.
Mouth: fairly a candy onset, on figs and dates, loads of grapes, in addition to candy orange. Beneficiant caramel notes as nicely. Then a drop of Oloroso – sweetness with delicate pepper and tobacco – and previous furnishings notes. Very spherical and balanced, if a little bit candy.
End: medium size, with a whole lot of caramel sweetness nonetheless, in addition to early rancio and delicate leather-based.
The sweetness appears to remove a little bit of complexity right here, however the luscious Bons Bois character may be very good. And once more, excellent worth for cash. Rating: 87/100
Cognac Gousseland ‘Lot 72’ (40,2%, OB for Artwork Malts 2022, barrique #3, 60 btl.)
Nostril: a step up in direction of tropical fruits. Now pink grapefruit and mango come out on high, together with extra polished furnishings. Nonetheless some quinces and apricots. Then very mild potpourri and candy mint.
Mouth: lovely, juicy and fragrant fruits. Apricot jam, hints of bergamot, loads of stewed berries, mangoes and pears. Nice fruit salad with only a dollop of caramel. Very candied and rounded, at all times easy with solely delicate oak spice. Then again to pink grapefruit and orange syrup.
End: medium, with fading syrupy fruits making place for a touch of leather-based and fruit tea.
Lovely, vibrant fruits with a tropical contact. If we’re nitpicking then a barely increased ABV would have been welcome, and a little bit of minty freshness too, to achieve depth and stability the syrupy facet. Rating: 90/100
Domaine du Chêne ‘XXO Avant 1992’ – Bons Bois (48,4%, OB for Artwork Malts 2024, barrique #7100-7108, 60 btl.)
Nostril: pretty heady, with some wooden polish, dried mango slices, mirabelles, oranges and apricot jam. Contemporary herbs and a whole lot of spearmint. Whiffs of cassis seem later, together with dried flower petals and really mild hints of tobacco leaves. Lovely.
Mouth: the upper ABV provides this a transparent minty punch, with natural tea and cinnamon. Then pink grapefruit, extra mango, fragrant grapes and yellow plums. Cardamom and supple leathery notes, in addition to a faint woody trace.
End: fairly lengthy, vivid, with some citrus and florals, in addition to almonds and drying tobacco.
The spotlight on this session. The ABV merely works, and the fruitiness appears brighter and fewer capped by the caramel sweetness of those earlier than. A pleasant catch. Nonetheless accessible from Artwork Malts. Rating: 91/100
