Guillon-Painturaud / Hors d'Age Cognac

Nose:  Quite rich and woody.  Stewed pear and cigar box aromas initially, a dusting of cinnamon and mocha/cocoa notes.   Develops ginger and grapey, almost Port-like aromas, with cooked red apples, damson jam and polished church pews. Evidently a long-aged spirit. 

Palate:  Medium-full.  Very slick mouthfeel.  Quite prominent spice attack, then intense fruit: apple, plum, damson, raisin, even a hint of sloes.  Exceptionally rounded, with some quite prominent woodspice.

Finish:  Becomes drying and more spicy in the mouth as with most spirits of this age, but retains good harmonious leathery fruit in the background.  Hints of red liquorice at the death.

Comment:  Extremely clean and pleasingly intricate palate.  Good to taste an old cognac retaining such vibrant fruit character. Very, very drinkable.