Deau XO Cognac (700ml)

Deau has earned a quiet reputation as high quality Cognac marque. As usual, it's also down to the skill of the Master Blender. Made using fruit from Petite Champagne (75%) and Fins Bois (25%) and aged for a minimum of ten years, this wows with a myriad of flavours: Think violets, lychee, nuts, coffee beans, and a long finish that intensifies with leather, cigar box, and musk. Deau Cognac claims a lineage back to 1655 with the birth of Louis Deau and the family has been in the wine business for centuries. The estate is owned today by Bru-Legaret and operates twelve traditional pot stills and maintains an inventory of over 2,000 barrels of aging eau-de-vie in six cellars near the Charentes River.

Presentation is also an aspect in which the house of Deau excels with its beautiful asymmetrical bottles and contemporary designs. The house symbol is the griffin (half eagle, half lion), which is said to guard the vineyards.

Other reviews... At first this mahogany spirit has just a fleeting honeyed fragrance, but with time it opens up to a deeper, sweet caramel aroma. Get past the initial dauntingly hot alcohol bite, and the reward is a sweet and nutty flavor, finishing with a pretty cinnamon spice and caramel note.

Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2014
Gold Medal at the China Wine and Spirits Awards CWSA in 2013
Silver Medal with a special mention at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2015