Normandin Mercier XO Grande Champagne ★

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Normandin Mercier XO Grande Champagne 诺曼底名士XO大香槟 Brandy 科涅克白兰地
Score:	90/100
ABV:	45%
Region:	Cognac, France
Body:	Fine
Intensity:	Soft
Texture:	Velvety
Balance:	Near perfect
Best served: Cru:	Neat Grande Champagne
Theme(s):	Gunpowder, burning, integrated, soft, layered, citrus, dried fruit, ripe fruit, fresh, cream, chocolate, vanilla, cocoa, spice, bonfire 火药，燃烧，集成，柔软，有层次感，柑橘，干果，成熟的水果，新鲜，奶油，巧克力，香草，可可，香料，篝火
Summary:	That distinctive Normandin Mercier gunpowder/bonfire burn shines but melds together with the other beautifully integrated character of citrus, ripe fruit, chocolate, cake, herbs and mild creaminess - this is distinctive cognac that offers the grace and finesse for which Grande Champagne is famous, but with a fiery and spicy "gunpowder" twist
Tasting notes:	Nose: Soft citrus notes of orange and lemon rind are interrupted by tart under-ripe green grapes that sweeten into a floral bouquet that carry notes of vanilla, caramel and chocolate mud cake (that occasionally morphs into baked cheese cake with chocolate piping) over which rests a dollop of thinned custard, sliced peaches in syrup and a sprig of fresh mint – this is a cognac that graces the nose with different bursts of character, and yet retains one distinct character. Within the sweetness is the smell of anise seed and soft calf leather that intermingles with dried tobacco, hay and mild racio. The nose on this cognac is very light, fresh and floral with finesse, elegance and some creaminess. Taste: The most difficult aspect of reviewing spirits is describing why a spirit is wonderful. This cognac is sublime, a work of art with flavours that meld together and yet ignite the taste buds. Why do I think this cognac is sublime? Firstly, the flavours are beautifully integrated and no flavours dominate – it is sweet, sour, bitter and savoury all at the same time. Secondly, it is highly complex once the integrated flavours unfurl.  Sharp bursts of gunpowder, cocoa and pepper ignite with wood notes that develop into the taste of a bonfire and an astringency that progressively dries the palate, after a warm glow of fresh figs that suddenly dry into dates and raisins coated with dark chocolate. Burn baby burn! Finish: Energetic and buzzing with cocoa and dried fruit, tart raspberries and herbaceous undertones of fresh mint, anise seed and saffron.
Likes:	Complexity, integration and uniqueness
Price:	€100

Normandin Mercier La Péraudière Grande Champagne

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Normandin Mercier La Péraudière Grande Champagne 诺曼底名士香格里拉大香槟Péraudière Brandy 科涅克白兰地
Score:	86/100
ABV:	46%
Region:	Cognac, France
Body:	Medium
Intensity:	Medium
Texture:	Smooth and velvety
Balance:	Good, skewed to dry side
Best served: Notes:	Neat Limited edition (1000 bottles)
Theme(s):	Sharp, dry, tart, burning grass, dried fruit, ripe fruit, match, polished wood, astringent, varnish, dry wood 夏普，干燥，酸，烧草，干果，成熟的水果，火柴，抛光木地板，涩，清漆，木材干燥
Summary:	This cognac offers a distinctively Normandin Mercier smoky character that cuts through the dried fruit notes that glow on the palate, rekindling memories of the burst of a cap gun or burn of a freshly lit match!
Tasting notes:	Nose: Sharp undercurrents of polished wood pierce the nostrils, as sweet fruit notes of peaches and yellow plums sooth the lashes of astringency that spit out from the glass. This is something harsh within this cognac, and powerful dry wood notes permeate up to unsettle the fruit notes that whizz around with mild shimmers of caramel and nutmeg as the smell of Brazil nuts develop.   Taste: Sharp burning polished wood and bonfire ignite with the sweetness. A sharp burst of sweet fruit suddenly turns dry, as though the ripe peaches and moscato suddenly turn under-ripe – this is an interesting journey back in time, from sweet ripe fruit to dry under-ripe fruit. The dryness develops until the finish, with the dry glow of burning grass and a freshly lit match that is softened a little by dried fruit notes. Finish: The finish is long and subtle, with nutmeg and dried fruits consisting of dried apricots and dates remaining on the palate with sharp but mild wood notes and under-ripe green grapes
Price:	€100

Normandin Mercier Extra Grande Champagne ★

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Normandin Mercier Extra Grande Champagne 诺曼底名士额外的大香槟 Brandy 科涅克白兰地
Score:	94/100
ABV:	42%
Region:	Cognac, France
Body:	Fine
Intensity:	Soft
Texture:	Velvety
Balance:	Near perfect
Best served: Cru:	Neat Grande Champagne
Theme(s):	Finesse, light, integrated, floral, fruit, toffee, spice, tobacco, cigars, cocoa, leather, coffee, vanilla, creamy 的娴熟，重量轻，集成，花卉，水果，奶糖，香料，烟草，雪茄，可可，皮革，咖啡，香草，奶油
Summary:	This fine aged cognac with grapes grown exclusively in Grande Champagne offers an elegant sweet floral finesse with fruit and surges of tartness, aggression and spice that all meld together in beautiful harmony 这个精致的中年干邑大香槟葡萄种植提供了一个优雅甜美的水果和花卉巧妙锋利，侵略和香料激增，所有在美丽和谐的融合在一起
Tasting notes:	Normandin Mercier offer two products labelled "Extra", one being distilled from grapes exclusively from Grande Champagne in Cognac and the other being distilled from grapes exclusively from Petite Champagne in Cognac. The difference in the two products can be the result of many things including distillation, vintage and maturation in the wood but many accept that the terrain of Grande Champagne - with its chalky soil - is the jewel in the Cognac crown closely followed by Petite Champagne.  The difference between the Grande Champagne and the Petite Champagne is significant - the Grande Champagne offers a lighter experience with flavours more integrated with sweet floral and fruit notes dominating with surges of aggression, while the Petite Champagne offers a heavier experience with the vanillas, caramels and wood notes dominating.  Nose: The herbaceous sweet perfume of mellow floral notes intermingles with more sugary fruit notes of ripe fig, apricot, banana and dates. Sharp astringent surges of polished wood and leather add some much needed aggression with tart green mango and tangy passion fruit developing with spicy toffee, cinnamon and candied ginger, and they cut through the fog of sweetness that opens up with a complex array of nuts (almond and walnuts) while sweet flowery gusts of near perfection return with a citrus blossom twist.  The wood notes are certainly there, but with less impact than in the Petite Champagne. The Grande Champagne offers a softer experience with more finesse floral and fruit notes while the Petite Champagne is denser and richer with more vanillas, caramels and wood notes. Taste: The gentle embrace of ripe fresh fruit in the form of fig and peaches wash against the palate with gentle vanillas and buttered raisin packed scones, as the sweetness intensifies into dried fruit and mixed nuts as the bitter dark chocolate and rich leather notes act as a counterbalance to the sweetness which recedes into toffee. This is beautifully balanced, and this cognac does not step one foot wrong the entire time.   Finish: Dark chocolate coated raisins and the taste of a cigar box lingers (the tobacco, paper and dry wood notes) as leather develops towards the end with crushed coffee bean and cocoa dusted orange layered with herbaceous manuka honey - the sweetness has herbal notes.
Price:	€165

Normandin Mercier Extra Petite Champagne ★

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Normandin Mercier Extra Petite Champagne 诺曼底名士额外的小香槟区 Brandy  科涅克白兰地
Score:	93/100
ABV:	44%
Region:	Cognac, France
Body:	Medium
Intensity:	Soft
Texture:	Velvety
Balance:	Near perfect
Best served: Cru:	Neat  Petite Champagne
Theme(s):	Vanilla, caramel, wood, toffee, marmalade, spice, mint, menthol, banana, coffee 香草，焦糖，木材，奶糖，果酱，香料，薄荷，薄荷，香蕉，咖啡
Summary:	Heavier than the Normandin Mercier Extra Grande Champagne, this cognac is more dominated by the vanilla, caramel and wood notes as it shines with a herbal glow and cooked fruit.  这款干邑提供香草，焦糖和木材笔记，因为它闪耀着草药的光芒和煮熟的水果。
Tasting notes:	Normandin Mercier offer two products labelled "Extra", one being distilled from grapes exclusively from Grande Champagne in Cognac and the other being distilled from grapes exclusively from Petite Champagne in Cognac. The difference in the two products can be the result of many things including distillation, vintage and maturation in the wood but many accept that the terrain of Grande Champagne - with its chalky soil - is the jewel in the Cognac crown closely followed by Petite Champagne.  The difference between the Grande Champagne and the Petite Champagne is significant - the Grande Champagne offers a lighter experience with flavours more integrated with sweet floral and fruit notes dominating with surges of aggression, while the Petite Champagne offers a heavier experience with the vanillas, caramels and wood notes dominating.  Nose: The vanillas, caramels and wood notes are more pronounced than in the Grade Champagne which has more floral notes than the petite Champagne – the vanilla is rich and complex, intermingling with caramel and fruit including preserved cherries, dried apricots and raisins. Nutmeg, cloves and mild notes of coconut develop with sweet cigarette tobacco and cedarwood. The distillate itself is heavier than the Grande Champagne, and plagued ever so slightly more by sharp thumps of varnish and treated pine. Within the luscious layers of fruit and vanilla lies something rich and beautiful – at first it is slightly harsh, but as this cognac rests in the glass it develops into something resembling pancakes with vanilla ice cream and maple syrup. Taste: Dense syrup and caramel hits the palate with toffee and marmalade with cooked plums and a herbal twang of that shines with menthol and mint confectionery all held together with soft vanilla notes. The herbaceous shine then recedes with a wave of buttery vanilla as the wood and caramels return. Finish: Caramel drizzled over banana lingers with mild notes of coffee, as the palate begins to dry and the fruit notes recede to the wood influence.
Price:	€160

Normandin Mercier Très Vieille Grande Champagne ★

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Normandin Mercier Très Vieille Grande Champagne 的诺曼丁Mercier TRES维埃耶大香槟 Brandy 科涅克白兰地
Score:	98/100
Age: ABV:	100+ years 40%
Region: Cru:	Cognac, France  Grande Champagne
Body:	Light and delicate
Intensity:	Soft and graceful
Texture:	Velvety
Balance:	Nearest to perfect
Best served:	Neat
Theme(s):	Nearest to perfect balance, softness, elegance, finesse, brightness, energy, darkness, calmness, unity, harmony - so it is with spirits of this quality, the character is bigger than simple flavour descriptors; this is a century in a glass.   最近完美的平衡，柔软，优雅，细腻，亮度，节能，黑暗，冷静，团结，和谐 - 因此，它是与精神，这种品质，性格是大于简单的风味描述，这是一个世纪以来在玻璃。
Summary:	A moment in paradise, the aromas and flavours of this cognac are so beautifully integrated that 100+ years of maturation glow brightly as one seamless whole - the fruit, wood, spice and magic dance with unmatched elegance and finesse. This is it, the pinnacle of the cognac and possibly even the spirits world ... without a shadow of doubt.  一会儿在天堂，这款干邑的香气和味道是如此美妙集成100多年成熟焕发明亮一个无缝的整体 - 水果，木材，香料和幻舞与无与伦比的优雅与细腻。这是什么，干邑的巅峰之作，甚至可能是精神的世界......没有怀疑的阴影。
Tasting notes:	Normandin Mercier proudly proclaims that this blend of eaux-de-vie have been resting for "more than a century ... ageing in our cellars". This is a 100+ year old cognac. Tasting a spirit that is older than your great grandparents and some countries is an extremely special experience - to think, this cognac was distilled from a century old harvest of grapes that grew from the terrain of Grande Champagne before World War 1 started in 1914.  In all honesty, blind tasting this cognac is magical but tasting it while knowing its age causes butterflies to churn in the stomach. This really is one of the finest spirits.  Some of nature's most beautiful creations Nose: The character in this century old cognac is beautifully integrated - the aromas harmoniously interact as one seamless and flawless whole. The most careful nosing is unable to detect even the slightest kink in what is the smoothest and perfectly balanced spirit tasted to date on Malt Mileage; this is sheer luxury.  The bouquet on this cognac slowly unfurls into various aromas that never clash, but interlace and compliment one another impeccably. Bright, fresh and sweet aromas beam through a thick darker layer of character. This cognac has benefits from its extremely long maturation in terms of extracting flavours and aroma from the oak, and yet it has maintained energy - amazing.  The aroma is sweet and fruity - dark stone fruit develop with fresh cherries, nectarine and cantaloupe lying over a floral garden as sparks of tropical fruit (ripe banana, fresh coconut and lychee) and orange peel ignite within the dark fog of leather, mocha and coffee. Within the dark fog also shines roasted almond and crushed walnuts with whipped cream and strands of caramel, shimmers of tart green pear and sweet dried tobacco. That sweetness which illuminates the darker notes is delightful, and it gains in complexity by developing into sugary coffee liqueur and mild notes of saffron. Bright shining vanilla is a constant, glowing brightly as the gentle smell of herb bread with butter develops - this is such a curious wonder, how can all these aromas combine together in one near perfect whole and yet retain their distinctiveness? This is a century in a glass, a life form almost, with character evolving and growing.  Taste: A wave of fresh fig and muscat grapes flood the palate and develop into dried fruit, spiced coffee (common examples are Arabic coffee, that is often flavoured with cardamon) with rancio and golden caramel - this is the closest to perfect cognac can get, because the character is so difficult to unpack and describe. Instead the character flows seamlessly on the palate and the different flavours meld together to create a distinctive flavour profile that is unique and magical - a fine cognac.  Finish: To identify a flavour will invariably do this cognac an injustice, because very few things have such near perfect balance. The flavours on the palate proceed to the end, but buzz energetically in a similar way to fruit flavoured popping rock candy - the sweet fruit and floral notes, wood notes and "x-factor" combine to create a little moment in paradise. As with anything so good, it was not long enough...  This is perfection, the epitome of fine cognac - the balance is sublime, the flavours gentle yet powerful, the character bright yet dark with harmonious integration.
Likes:	Complexity, smoothness, seamless character
Price:	$1,300

Francois Voyer Grande Champagne 25 Years ★

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Francois Voyer Grande Champagne 25 Years Brandy
Score:	88/100
ABV:	40%
Region:	Cognac, France
Body:	Light-medium
Intensity:	Supple and soft
Texture:	Velvety
Balance:	Superb
Best served: Grapes: Cask:	Neat Folle Blanche, Bacco 22A, Colombard Limousin oak, with medium toast
Theme(s):	Bright, soft, complex, summer and tropical fruits, vanilla, candied fruit, cream, floral, chocolate, passion fruit, nuts, toffee, plums, wood, white pepper, caramel
Summary:	Fresh, fruity, grassy and herbaceous with a tangy twist, this cognac is superbly crafted and exhibits the finesse and maturity that only the finest cognacs exhibit with a bright summery glow - beautiful artwork by Francois Voyer reflected in this 25 years old cognac
Tasting notes:	The vines used by the Voyer family have been cultivated since the French Revolution, and the family have a cognac producing history spanning five generations that has remained exclusively within the Grande Champagne region of Cognac. An obvious, to my eyes at least, result of all this hard work is a carefully crafted 25 years old cognac that is distinctive in style and character, and, most impressive, beaming with fruit and brightness despite its old age. Sit back and enjoy this cognac, which glows with shades of character that shift and change in the glass. Nose: A fresh and mild aroma of suede, polished wood and tobacco cut through the sweet notes of quince paste, raisins and dates – the suede develops into freshly polished leather shoes and as the cognac rests the smell of roasted almonds develops with the faint note of whipped vanilla bean cream and fresh mint leaves. The amazing thing about this particular cognac is that its bouquet is disappointing at first, but it develops in the glass and its character morphs and changes to provide one of the most interesting nosing experiences. The glow of preserved candied cherries now shines with cherry ripe, coconut dusted rum balls and tinned peaches, nectarines and cherries. Taste: The story begins with a bright sweet summery start – the fruits shine on the palate in the form of peaches and cream, candied orange and chocolate layered lime blossom with hints of honey as the tang of passion fruit develops with the burst of its seeds. The mood of the cognac then darkens, with the husks of fresh almonds and blood plums, toffee and hazelnuts. Finish: The tangy flavour of passion fruit returns once the fatty nuts subside, and it beams through the oak notes with toasted wood notes and the mild burn of white pepper. As the peppery notes fade, green mango and caramel softly shine, until it all fades – beautifully balanced, not too dry or sweet.
Likes:	Complex, bright and fruity without overbearing sweetness - this is a quarter century aged cognac without the mustiness but with the maturity, subtlety and finesse
Price:	$200 (Aus)

Francois Voyer Napoleon 15 Years

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Francois Voyer Napoleon 15 Years  Brandy
Score:	87/100
ABV:	40%
Region:	Cognac, France
Body:	Medium
Intensity:	Soft-medium
Texture:	Medium-silky
Balance:	Excellent, with dry twang
Best served: Grapes:	Neat Folle Blanche, Bacco 22A, Colombard
Theme(s):	Floral, herbaceous, mint, tobacco, wood, vanilla, sultana, raisin, medium-dry finish
Tasting notes:	Nose: The sweetness is floral and herbaceous – mild shimmers of tobacco and mint accompany the sweet floral perfume as fig and dates add natural sweetness that is softened by the vanillas and rich toffee notes from the sugars. Taste: Big and bold with a heavy handed assault from the wood – bakery spices spark through the fog of sweet sultana and raisins as a thin layer of chocolate forms with the burst of drying tannins. Finish: A medium-dry finish, what remains on the palate is under ripe fruit with their tartness and astringent dryness. The subtle sugars counteract that dryness and shades of herb butter and vanilla soften the sharp drying wood notes to a degree.
Likes:	Soft at first, with great balance and sweetness
Dislikes:	Dry twang that unbalanced the experience slightly towards the middle and end
Price:	$133 (Aus)

Francois Voyer Terre Grande Champagne 5 Years

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Francois Voyer Terre Grande Champagne Brandy
Score:	82/100
ABV:	40%
Region:	Cognac, France
Body:	Average
Intensity:	Medium
Texture:	Average
Balance:	Good
Best served: Grapes:	Neat Folle Blanche, Bacco 22A, Colombard
Theme(s):	Sweet, confectionery, sugared fruit, dried fig, herbal twang
Tasting notes:	Nose: Sweet confectionary sweetness is accompanied with raspberry sticks and cooked rhubarb – the sweetness is sugary with licorice notes and candy shop sweetness (fruit and mint flavoured lollies in particular). This is lovely cognac on the nose, because its bouquet develops and builds as the cognac rests in the glass – nothing spectacular, but it is sweet and fragrant without the “hot” alcohol that taints many cognacs. Taste: Mouth-filling with a good balance, dried figs balance against the dark chocolate notes as creamy notes begin to emerge towards the end. Finish: The wood notes steam off the tongue as it slowly dried, and as the dryness lifts the sweet fruit notes emerge.
Likes:	Smooth sipping cognac with good bursts of character
Dislikes:	Sugary and slightly unbalanced
Price:	$86 (Aus)