Nose: keeps the middle between different styles. There’s a deep fruitiness (stewed stone fruits, overripe pineapple) but also a rounder hints of caramel toffee and candied ginger. Very fresh mint leaves and herbal tea at the top. Light tobacco too, but the rancio is not overpowering.
Mouth: similar thoughts. Generous fruity notes (always stewed, ripe and candied fruits) leading up to toffee and caramelized notes. Orange notes. A lightly toasted element. Tobacco leaves are more prominent now, as well as light hints of cedar. The roundness and gourmand character means there’s never oaky dryness to be found though, even after 90 years. Hints of acacia honey and mint towards the end.
Finish: not too long, but the combination of minty freshness and caramel sweetness is quite perfect.
Above all this is a rich and highly drinkable cognac. I’m guessing this was a rather rustic style but time polished it. The low strength, the sweetness and the absence of wood make this a very balanced and lively oldie. The price is quite fair too.
