Grosperrin Succession Perrier Lot 9 49%

This is one of the very first cognacs in Grosperrin’s collection. There’s not that much information about that one, only that it’s a rare bottling (114 bottles) and it’s supposed to be (at least) a pre-1900 Bons Bois (!). 

Colour: Mahogany, red lights. Irregular heavy tears. 

Nose: Incredible nose! What a splendid entrance. Very close to a very old sherry bomb whisky, even with a gentle kind of peat. Marvelous oxydated notes. Constant evolution. One breath after another gives different shades. Heavy rancio. Full of musky scents, but rapidly swayed by fresh mentholated tones. Deep cognac. Well, is it a cognac? It’s much more than that. White truffle melted to bright candied fruit notes. Cherry liquor, very old Cabernet notes, reminding me of the rich cooked pepper notes that I get with Angelus 1993 or Pape Clement 1985. Hints of fresh bolet and other kinds of earthy shades. Stunning! It goes everywhere! MASSIVE rancio. And still some lingering sherry notes, bringing me back some memories of a dark Kavalan.

Mouth: That’s too emotional to write down what I’m tasting. Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful. I’m already wondering if it’s not the best thing I’ve tried among all the spirits that found their way to my palate. Longmorn 1966, Linkwood 1984. No, that’s definitely not cognac, right? Ample leathery notes, 7-hour lamb shank, cooked tarragon. Sublime. And you still get this bloody rancio, as if you were blending Grosperrin MMC3 with a pre WWII Borderies pineau and letting infuse a full bag of porcini in this potion. Very oaky aftertaste, but without astringence, as you get smooth chocolate aromas. 

Last Notes: Very old Shyraz notes, a bit like a 30yo Saint-Joseph with its peppery and velvety side. Obvious oxidized scents, something like an extra-old P.X. What’s truly impressive with that one is that even with its dark rancio and its oaky structure, it remains fresh and vivid. Overripe apple, slightly brett cider, cooked quince. That’s something you don’t expect in this kind of venerable cognac. Ample cigar notes in the background. 1 hour and a half. 1cl. And you still want to discuss the best spirit among all? It ends on prune cake, raisins, hydromel, pain au raisin, and grenadine syrup. Hints of yeasty notes too. 

The empty glass is full of rancioted leathery notes, roasted coffee beans, and blackberry marmalade.

An unprecedented kind of cognac on Hors d’Age. Fabulous eau-de-vie with a constant evolution in the glass. It seems massive at first glance, but if you have one hour or more, well, bring that one on a date with you.