Vallein Tercinier Grand Rue 34 Cognac

Tasting Notes

93pts Whisky Fun

Vallein Tercinier 'Grand Rue 34' (42%, OB, Grande Champagne, +/-2012) Five stars This little baby should have been distilled in 1934 (great vintage for wine!) and was almost 80 years old at time of bottling. It’s older than the oldest whiskies I’ve ever tried (G&M’s 70 yo Mortlach and Glenlivet). Cask strength again, of course. As for its price, it’s only around 650 €, which is insane when seen from Scotland. Colour: amber. Nose: you see, these good people bottle their spirits when they think they’re ready. This one was ready for sure, but believe me, there isn’t the slightest feeling of ‘too old’. It’s actually less oaky than the 49, it’s fresher, it’s fruitier, it’s more delicately herbal, and it’s simply a miracle in a bottle. Fab floral notes, superb tropical fruits, magnificent soft spices, everything’s there. I won’t list all aromas, but there’s one funny note that arises after a few minutes, a mix of cannabis and propolis. Not unlike walking in a park in San Francisco or in Amsterdam’s most touristy streets ;-). Don’t worry, that’s only small touches… Mouth: once again, it’s the oak that comes out first, and once again, the fruits are soon to balance that tannicity. Big notes of oranges and pink grapefruits, guavas, then menthol, pinesap and aniseed, a faint feeling of absinth, earl grey tea… Actually, it tastes more and more like first quality earl grey. Terrific. Finish: surprisingly long at just 42% vol., but then again, 42% at cask strength and 42% after reduction aren’t quite the same thing. Oranges and cinnamon, a little extra-dry manzanilla or Madeira, tiny touches of mustard in the aftertaste... Comments: one existential question, doesn’t cognac, and brandy in general, age better than whisky? I haven’t got the answer… SGP:651 - 93 points.