Jean Luc Pasquet Tradition Familiale Cognac (700ml)

Within the JLP range of Cognacs, the "Tradition Familiale" occupies a special place. Alongside familiar Cognac denominations (XO,VS...), it is almost customary for a Cognac house to have a signature blend. For artisan houses like JLP, these blends are usually coined "Family Tradition", akin to a Distiller's Edition Whisky, as in the past these were reserved for the distiller's own consumption, family gatherings and visiting friends.

Jean Luc's Uncle Albert had for years made his "Tradition Familiale" as a Napoleon style (around an average of 15 years of age), looking for the tipping point between fruit forwardness and the rancio Charentais characters that come with the slow aging and maturation. Ugni Blanc grapes are sourced from both Grande and Petite Champagne hence the designation here, "Fine Champagne".

When importers and distributors visited the estate, such was their enthusiasm for the blend that Jean-Luc eventually caved in to their demands and started releasing small bottlings of the blend commercially. Today, Jean-Luc and his son keep the Family Tradition blend as 'Oncle Albert' intended it, a rustic yet welcoming eau de vie, to share and enjoy on just about any occasion.

Tasting notes: Generous aroma offers up attractive scents of fig, cinnamon and vanilla. Second pass finds raisins, hints of cedar and dried flowers. The bouquet follows through to an elegant, middle weighted profile of dried fig with hints of nougat carried by a pantry of sweet spices through to the clean, drying aftertaste. Lovely cognac in the lighter, drier mould and an intermediary style falling between the VSOP and XO expressions from this house. 40% Alc./Vol.