Stacole Craft Spirits Book

Brandy: Cognac

BACHE-GABRIELSEN COGNAC, FRANCE The super-premium cognacs of Bache-Gabrielsen have never been available Stateside – until now. For the first time in its storied 111-year history, this family-owned cognac house is sharing their spirits with us. To mark the occasion, Bache- Gabrielsen has debuted the first of its kind, innovative cognac aged in authentic new American Tennessee Oak barrels. American Oak Cognac NV #838589 / 750ml / $31.99 The American Oak is a VS—three years in Limousin oak— and finished in new Tennessee Oak barrels for another six months giving it distinctive character. Aromas of ripe apricot, pear, vanilla and lingering flavors of coconut, caramel and chocolate. Perfect Cognac for the bourbon drinker! 92pts Tasting Panel Tre Kors is blended from 25% Grande Champagne / Petite Champagne and 75% Fins Bois cognac. Matured in casks for a minimum of two years, creating a deep amber color while maintaining a bouquet marked by fruit and something of the character of young Grande Champagne Cognac. 91pts Tasting Panel Sérénité Extra Cognac NV #363281 / 750ml / $146.99 Sérénité is a blend of the finest Grande Champagne eaux- de-vie, made with 85% Ugni Blanc and, increasingly rare, 15% Folle Blanche grapes. The oldest cognacs in the blend were aged for 50 years in French Limousin oak barrels. Round and velvety, with a notes of coffee, vanilla, and floral. 93pts Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2017 94pts Tasting Panel VSOP Natur & Eleganse Cognac NV #199887 / 750ml / $39.00 Natur&EleganseisarangeofcognacsfromBache-Gabrielsen’s cellarmaster, Jean-Philippe Bergier that communicate rich fruit and rustic charm in a light, fresh, balanced style. Extreme elegance and a fruity bouquet become focal points on the Tre Kors VS Cognac NV #990735 / 750ml / $31.99 The XO is a refined and complex blend of Fin Bois, Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne. Very elegant, showing both freshness andmaturity. The XO is aged for 15 years. XO Cognac Decanter NV #982877 / 750ml / $84.99 This XO is a blend of Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche grapes sourced from the Fins Bois, Petite Champagne, and Grande Champagne regions. The Limousin oak barrels hold spirit from 10-30 years, with an average age of 20 years at bottling. XODecanter is packaged in a squat decanter and comes in a custom box. Drinks beautifully today and will age gracefully. palate. The VSOP is aged for six years. 95pts Ultimate Spirits Challenge XO Natur & Eleganse Cognac NV #392174 / 750ml / $89.99

KELT COGNAC FRANCE GRANDE CHAMPAGNE Kelt Cognacs are made exclusively with grapes from an exceptional growing area considered to produce the finest cognacs in the world. OceanMatured THE TOUR DU MONDE Until the early 1900s all cognac was shipped in barrels. The long sea-voyages had a profound effect on the quality of cognac. When cognac started to be shipped in bottles the magical effect was lost. Until now. Our cognac, still in Limousin oak barrels, undertakes a 3-month sea voyage around the world. The combination of movement, temperature variations, airpressure changes and the magic of the seas during this 90 trip, creates a seamless perfection in the blend as well as an unrivalled smoothness, characteristic of KELT cognacs. Cognac VSOP Tour du Monde #915818 / 750ml / $53.99 Delicate nose with vanilla, ripe fruit and hints of hazlenut, with a long lingering finish 96pts The Cognac Life Commodore #783872 / 750ml / $80.99 Orange peal & tabacco notes, with jasmine and hints of vanilla, with an silky smooth finish Cognac of the Year / Double Gold Wine & Spirits Petra #463023 / 750ml / $1249.99 Old world leather & eucalyptus notes, with nutmeg and hints of saffron, with up to a 30 minute smooth finish XO Cognac #570278 / 750ml / $149.99 Floral honeysuckle notes, with candied apricot and hints of tabacco, with an incredible long finish 97pts The Cognac Life

What do they mean? In a word: Aging. V.S. (Very Special): AKA “three stars,” The youngest eau-de-vie in the blend must be a minimum 2 years old. V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale): The youngest eau-de-vie in the blend is at least 4 years old. Napoleon: A favorite of Napoleon, otherwise it just designated a blend that’s at least 6 years old. X.O. (Extra Old): The “extra” here used to mean at least 6 years old, though since April 2018 the new minimum is 10 years old. Hors d’Age (“Of the Ages”): Literally… “it is so old, it’d be impolite to ask.” It’s used to communicate a very high quality product. Vintage: A vintage brandy means that the brandy is a single blend from a single year’s harvest.There is no age limitation. — VINEPAIR.COM VS XO the Brandy Alphabet

5