Full Review

Merlet

Merlet
VSOP Cognac

Category: VSOP Cognac

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 40%
92 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$51

Merlet
VSOP Cognac

Category: VSOP Cognac

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 40%
Light golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of candied orange zest, clove, vanilla marzipan and caramel, leather, ginger, and nutmeg with a round, vibrant, dryish medium-to-full body and a warming, nuanced, long finish that presents accents of chocolate covered orange peel, spiced nuts, orange oil on leather, and nutmeg and dried red berries. Wonderful citrus notes dominate the nose and then a deep, earthy, and spicy richness takes over; a nice sipper on its own and a delight in traditional cocktails.

Tasting Info

Spirits Glass Style: Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: candied orange zest, clove, vanilla marzipan and caramel, leather, ginger, and nutmeg
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with accents of chocolate covered orange peel, spiced nuts, orange oil on leather, and nutmeg and dried red berries
Smoothness Smoothness: Warming
Enjoy Enjoy: in cocktails, neat, on the rocks and with cigars
Cocktail Cocktails: Sidecar, Brandy Crusta, Champs-Élysées
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Wonderful citrus notes dominate the nose and then a deep, earthy, and spicy richness takes over; a nice sipper on its own and a delight in traditional cocktails.

The Producer

Distillerie Merlet & Fils

The Producer
40, Rue de Chevessac
St. Sauvant, 17610
France
33 -546 91 50 36

Their Portfolio

93 Coperies Les Ocres Whisky 46% (France) $65.00.
94 Merlet Crème De Fraise Liqueur 18% (France) $28.00.
96 Merlet Crème De Poire Liqueur 18% (France) $28.00.
91 Merlet Sœurs Cerises Liqueur 24% (France) $31.00.
92 Merlet VSOP Cognac 40% (France) $51.00.

VSOP Cognac

Spirits Glass Snifter Brandy.jpg
Serve in a Snifter
V.S.O.P. (very superior old pale or very special old pale) Cognac has been aged a minimum of four years, although many examples are aged as long as ten to fifteen years or even longer. It is aged longer than a VS (very special), but less than an X.O.

Produced by both large and small Cognac houses, VSOP has remarkable complexity, especially with the long period of aging, which rounds out the Cognac, while adding a distinct spiciness and vanilla character. These are priced from $30 to $55 per bottle and need to be sipped slowly after dinner on their own or with a cigar. Given the marketing prowess of the large firms as well as their breeding and prestige, VSOP Cognac have been and continue to be one of the most popular spirits in America and around the world.