This XO Cognac from our smallest artisan Cognac producer is distilled with a strong component of lees (yeast) in the base wine that gives a major aromatic shift to the spirit that's honoured by bottling as a single vintage Cognac. Expect fresh fruits and cut hay to jump out of the glass, unlike most XO level spirits.
Bourgoin Cognac's most unique XO Cognac gets brought down to 45% alcohol with a blend of fresh and sea waters to replicate the flavour of a Cognac transported by barrels at sea. Pale in colour, but very flavourful with a strong element of salted toffee.
In existence since 1866 from a vineyard created around 1837, Montifaud remains independently owned and operated to this day. For the 2004, they suggest pairing it with dried fruits or dark chocolate, as "each sip reveals the enchantment of a blend of floral and candied fruit notes."
De Montal's 1952 vintage! Drink in honour of Volcán de Parícutin's nine-year-long hostile takeover of Mexican farmer Dionisio Pulido's cornfield, begun in '43 and ending in February of the year this fruit was harvested.
Quality Armagnac from grapes picked in 1966. The year saw masterpieces from the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Beach Boys, Dylan, Otis, Coltrane...and AM radio still ruled.
De Montal's 1974 vintage! Sean Connery stars in the sci-fi film Zardoz in an effort to shrug off his James Bond aura, and trades in his signature vesper martini for premium armagnac (we assume. Don't fact check that).
De Montal's 1982 vintage! Rod Stewart temporarily loses his $50,000 Porsche to a mugger in Los Angeles. Did he drink de Montal to cope? We don't know. Could be, though. Could be...
