Grosperrin Fins Bois 18.35 40%

GROSPERRIN FINS BOIS 18.35 40%

Prehistoric Fins Bois

Some bottles come with a pedigree that immediately commands respect. This one is clearly part of that very small circle.

According to the original label, this extremely old cognac comes from a family of winegrowers who once lived near Château de Lucheville, in Charente. It was already considered precious enough to be passed down as part of a dowry, offered to the heiress on the occasion of a wedding in September 1922, which most likely corresponds to its bottling date. The remaining stock was then carefully kept in the Hôtel de Bardines in Angoulême, where the couple lived shortly after their marriage.

So this pre-phylloxeric liquid should have 85 to 90 years of ageing. A true historical relic (1835, I mean…), preserved without any particular treatment before bottling. Well, it’s time to open my first Christmas present. 

Colour: Mahogany, golden hues. Irregular, heavy tears.

Nose: Right from the start, the nose dives deep into noble rancio. Leathery tones intertwined with delicate notes of very old, oxidised Savagnin wine. Exquisite! Precious woods follow, mainly mahogany, bringing both depth and elegance. The intensity is striking, with a discreet sugariness lurking in the background. Very old malt notes emerge, alongside faint exotic touches, oddly reminiscent of that stratospheric Banff 1975 by G&M released at Whisky Live Paris 2024. How can such an old spirit still carry so much energy? A captivating, almost hypnotic nose.

Palate: The palate is oily, gently sweet in the aftertaste. Leathery notes return, quickly lifted by an unexpected burst of acidity that brings real vividness to the profile. Powerful tobacco aromas unfold, supported by a truly noble rancio, the kind that unmistakably marks exceptional eaux-de-vie. Long-lasting nutty notes follow, especially pistachio and hazelnut cream. Delicate, fragile, refined.

Last Notes: With air, elegant citrus notes appear. Oxidative aromas grow more pronounced, which is no surprise given the fragile nature of the spirit. Even more leather now. Back on the palate, intense balsamic tones merge with delicate coffee notes, before fading into liquorice and dark, tea-like shades.

Fragile yet intense, with an emotional depth that can keep you absorbed for hours, especially on the nose (92/92+). This is history in a glass. Not the most precise cognac I’ve ever tasted, and perhaps a touch too oaky and oxidised on the palate (89/89+), but the overall quality remains astonishing considering its prehistoric pedigree.

My very subjective note: 91/100

Cheers Guilhem, and Merry Christmas to all cognac lovers!

Grosperrin website