Ryan's Review
Well, here we have another Lhéraud. A continually impressive house, both in their stunning vintage bottles, as well as the excellent XO Charles VII blend. Price on these vintage selectiosn is high, but so far the quality has continued to match the price. When Justin shared the 1974 vintage he had open I was a big fan and so decided to seek out another '74. This one was bottled just in February of this year, making it about 44 years old. Bottled at 49%.
Nose: Immediately rich nose, almost port-like. We have honey and plums. There's some heavier notes of tobacco and coffee. Old books and a little bit of polished oak.
Taste: Quite like the nose. Peaches and plums. Blueberry. Sweet citrus. Cream. Moves into a heavy coffee liqueur. Thick wildflower honey seems to coat the whole palate.
Finish: Delicate herbal bitters - propolis stands out. Bee pollen. A resinous quality to the flavors, it's almost medicinal. But, this is good, it's very good. Smoked spices. Orange zest. Some wood polish. Nectar-like sweetness lingers throughout the finish.
This is an impeccable spirit. Great balance of sweetness and all those complex herb and spice notes. I'm showing my bias here, but I just love when an old spirit is able to showcase the cask without becoming astringent and woody. Some of these older cognacs do it very well. Lively on the palate, and the finish is a highlight. It is not tired by any stretch, and tastes as if it could have spent another 40 years in the cask.
A
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