First Fine de Bourgogne on Hors d’Age. This one comes from Pierre Naigeon, in Gevrey Chambertin. Produced in 2007, it has been bottled for Authentic Spirits in 2021 at 40,1%.  

Colour: Gold, hay lights. Regular medium tears. 

Nose: Quite exotic at first. Reminds of some rum. but I finally find it surprisingly closer to a whisky that I tried before: the Penderyn Ex-Bourbon (2007, 58,6%) with its exotic side on tinned pineapple, its resinous cedarwood notes, and its spiced tones on cloves. Disconcerting. Obvious wood influence on pine needle and brand new oak plank. A tad honeyed in a second time and hints of various Christmas spices. Only 40,1% but it needs air for sure. 

Mouth: Sweet texture with acidity in the aftertaste. Very malt-like in fact. Dry notes of cereal surrounded by honeyed aromas. A bit of quince and raisins in the mouth length to remind you that’s wine-based. Ample balsamic notes underlined by oaky and resinous shades as an echo to the nose (mainly cedarwood). 

Last Notes: Stronger resinous and spiced notes with more air. Hints of buttery and nutty pastry notes, especially on walnut pie and croissant.  A tad of clove and cinnamon in the background and still slightly honeyed. Back on the palate, you get another full spoon of cereal notes, but this time more on muesli and morning pastry aromas. It reminds me a bit of Waterford style with its wine casks balance, but less precise, drier, less rich, and less powerful (40,1% VS 50%). Nice marzipan and dry walnut notes in the mouth length. 

Well, not a bad one for a first fine de Bourgogne on Hors d’Age. Certainly a lack of precision and a tad too oaky in my humble opinion but it remains a good surprise. Such a complex spirit for a 14yo brandy. Hope I’ll taste some other Fine/Marc de Bourgogne soon to set a comparative tasting session.