| SPIRIT REVIEWS |

Brandy makes a wonderful winter sipper and a great way to relax after a holiday meal. Brandy and Cognac also star in a number of classic and contemporary cocktails. We consulted the pros for some guidance on the best brandies today.

The following notes and ratings come from the most recent judging of the New York International Spirits Competition. Judges for the NYISC are trade professionals— retailers, bartenders, buyers, etc.— who blind taste products based on price tiers. These ratings and reviews recognize spirits that represent both quality and value.

DOUBLE GOLD

A. E. Dor No 8( A. E. Dor). A Grande Champagne Cognac that is well balanced for a highproof expression bottled at 47 % and aged about 50 years. It has a nose of intense vanilla, dried fruits and leather with light spice. As it lies on the tongue, it is surprisingly less chewy / woody than expected after all its years in a barrel, with dried fruit, dark sugars with hints of vanilla still present in the mouth. The finish is properly long, with hints of spice and leather coating the throat.

A. E. Dor XO( A. E. Dor). Aging for around 25 years gives it its deep mahogany color. The nose has dried fruit, dark chocolate, hints of tobacco and honey. When in the mouth, it has a smooth layering on the tongue of dried citrus fruits, nuttiness and oak from its time in the barrel. The finish is wonderfully long with dried fruit riding the wave down.

Black Bottle XO Brandy( Vok Beverages). One of the best brandies from Australia. Raise the glass to the light to see the dark golden brown hue liquid aged up to 40 years. Vanilla, plum, chocolate and dried fruit are on the nose. A silky layer in the mouth of raisin, fig, nutmeg and oakiness. The finish is balanced and long, with a medley of vanilla, chocolate, leather and oak that is meant to be savored.

Courvoisier XO Royale( Campari Group). An amber color showing its age as an XO with a nose of ripe fruit including cherries, plums and hints of spiced vanilla. It lies wonderfully in the mouth with a fine medley of dark fruits, honey, vanilla and hints of oak from its time in the cask. The finish is long as expected, with fruit, honey, light spice and oakiness softly cascading down your throat.

Courvoisier VSOP( Campari Group). Blended and aged up to 12 years with a nose that is floral, as well as hints of peach, oak and honey. Peach notes along with dark brown sugar and oak gently coat the mouth. The finish is long for a VSOP Cognac, with honey and dried fruit layered on top. A good segway for new Cognac drinkers.

Delamin XXO Decanter( Delamin). A Grande Champagne Cognac utilizing the greatest grape to used for Cognac. Its nose has oak, citrus zest and candied raisins. When in the mouth, vanilla and dried fruit, including raisins, lie subtly on the tongue. The finish is lingering with continued citrus zest and hints of almond making it overall a delicious Cognac experience.

Delamin Pleiade Domaine La Rambaudie( Delamin). A Grande Champagne Cognac with a nose of aromatic layers of grape, fresh plum and floral bouquet. A silky texture of pear, light spice, vanilla and dry oak. The finish continues with light spice and dried fruit. A truly lovely Grande Champagne to be enjoyed.

D’ Usse VSOP( Bacardi). A nice amber hue for a VSOP. The nose has a fine medley of dried fruits, cinnamon and light spice rising up from the glass. When in the mouth, flavors of raisins, apricot, cinnamon and light spice lie softly on the tongue. The finish is long but not syrupy, with dried fruits on the end. Meant to be treasured.

Larressingle XO Armagnac( Mandracore). A blend of Armagnacs aged 10-plus years and beyond the normal XO age statement. Dried plums, figs and dark spice are on the nose. The dark fruit continues in the mouth, along with smoke and dashes of vanilla. A long, classic Armagnac XO finish that has vanilla and dark nuts.

GOLD

Jules Gautret XO( UniCognac). Dark amber liquid representing its 10-plus years in the casks. The nose has dried fruits, vanilla, hints of citrus and almonds. It is a well-balanced medley on the tongue, with dark and citrus fruits, oakiness, vanilla and honey. A long elegant finish with oak, tobacco and dried fruit.

Honor Cognac Select Reserve( Birkedal Hartmann). The nose has oakiness and dried fruit, along with a mix of orange scents. It lies well in the mouth, as it is a smooth combination of dried fruit, honey and light spice. The finish is clean and light, with hints of chocolate and spice. Best drank neat.

Branson Cognac Flask( Sire Spirits). A VS Cognac with a golden light brown color from its limited time in the cask. The nose citrus notes along with hints of tobacco and floral notes. It has a smooth, light presence in the mouth, with apple, raisin, vanilla and oak on the tongue. The finish is light and not syrupy, with hints of fruit. Good to drink neat and or a cocktail base.

Courvoisier VS( Campari Group). A VS Cognac with a golden hue. The aromas com-

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