Two old Fins Bois from Grosperrin on the table today, one from 1972 (one of the first bottlings of the brand), one from 1968 (one of the latest bottlings). Same house, same cru, but two different areas and two different bottling perspectives. Let’s dive in.
Grosperrin Fins Bois 1972 53,9% Lot 48
So let’s dig once again in Grosperrin’s library. This Lot N°48 is vintage Fins Bois from ORECO’s cellars, and it has been produced near Baignes-Sainte-Radegonde (I suppose something like Saint-Maigrin or another hamlet a bit up north of Baignes). And as it’s an old bottling, it’s “only” a 30yo Fins Bois. Let’s go!
Colour: Orange, deep gold. Irregular heavy tears.
Nose: Vivid orchard fragrance at first. Fresh and rustic, as a proper old Fins Bois should be. Bright fruity shades on quince jam. Something both elegant and monolithic at the same time. Bitter cider-apple notes lingering in the background.
Palate: Fresh and floral entrance, keeping this typical rusticity from the cru. Light rancioted shades on blond tobacco and cigar box. Sharp profile, a bit reminiscent of JLP’s 68-72 bottling, but younger and less rancioted. It ends on candied citrus and warm spice notes.
Last Notes: Even more floral with air, supported by a touch of fresh nutty tones, especially cardamom and pistachio. Rare balance between clean and rustic sides. Pleasant, but not fully satisfying. It finishes on peppermint and eucalyptus.
Sharp as a knife, clean as crystal, and shy like a cognac estate hidden behind its white chalky walls.
86+/100
Grosperrin Fins Bois Héritage N°68 56,7% Lot 1191
The latest bottling of this Fins Bois Heritage N°68. Produced in Vars, on chalky soils and close to the Charente river, this 57yo cognac keeps a rocket-fuel ABV.
Colour: Mahogany, orange lights. Irregular heavy tears.
Nose: Deep rancio at first. Exquisite dark tea shades wrestling with intense exotic notes (mango, papaya). Great honeyed tones. Quite a dark profile, yet firmly structured by fresh undertones. Fresh leather in the background.
Palate: Perfect texture, with high acidity stretching the aftertaste. A kick of spice beautifully lifted by vivid chalky notes. Even at this colossal ABV (from a cognac lover’s POV), precision remains intact, the aromas drop one by one with clarity. Fruity, acidulous notes carried by a stunning mouth length. I was supposed to taste other things afterwards! Deeper than Sponge bottling in my humble opinion.
Last Notes: Hints of wax. Fresh walnut oil. Speculoos. A bit rounder now, but the chalky backbone persists. Heady floral shades on jasmine and orange blossom. Lovely tangerine jam. Those salivating acetate notes that simply make you smile. Isn’t that all we ask from spirits? Infinite fruitiness, smooth tannins.
A delicious expression of Fins Bois. And yet, I keep wondering where this could go with such a chalky structure (and rocket-fuel ABV). With a bit more depth and maturity, it could flirt with 92. But yes, I’m splitting hairs.
91/100
A fascinating side-by-side. The 1972 plays it clean, sharp, almost restrained, while the 1968 goes full power: deeper, darker, and wildly more expressive. Same terroir, two personalities, and two bottling styles.
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