Daniel Bouju Très Vieux 50% (2021 bottling)

40yo+ but cask strength: 50%. Let’s go!

Colour: Mahogany, brown lights. Irregular heavy tears.

Nose: Vinous notes at first, very old Bordeaux-like aromas. A kind of noble rancio with Cabernet-style peppery notes. Resinous pine needles. Ample leathery scents, with hints of cherry liqueur in the background.

Palate: Thick texture, with very little acidity in the aftertaste. Red berries jam overwhelmed by opulent, meaty notes. Strong chocolate shades. Extremely heavy tannins, one of the most tannic cognacs I’ve ever tried, an impression amplified by the ABV.

Last Notes: With air, heavy ristretto notes emerge. A touch of herbal shades, leaning towards cooked tarragon. Heady floral shades, mainly rosewater. Acacia honey. Back on the palate, a strong rancio on Macanudo cigar and licorice. It ends on earthy shades.

Clearly designed for a specific kind of palate, not mine. More interesting than the 40%, though. I still miss oak integration and terroir signature. 

My very subjective note: 87/100