Jean Luc Pasquet L'esprit de Famille Le Cognac d'Andre (500ml)

A very special all-natural single cask release from Jean Luc's 'Family Spirit' collection, this one dedicated Mr André Bertandeau. It's an Hors d'Age Cognac from Petite Champagne bottled at cask strength and limited to 525 bottles. More from cognac-expert.com on the background of this bottling below. Note also a glowing review from Serge Valentin of whiskyfun.

"Bertandeau was deported to Buchenwald during the Second World War, and was an important figure in the region of Cognac. Spending 2 years in a concentration camp before being freed by Russians, his experience has resonated with many people in the region, who will never forget this great man's powerful story. A war hero who was awarded the French Medal of Honor in 2016, Bertandeau was known as a winegrower with a big heart. His legacy has now been immortalized in the form of this Cognac by Pasquet, an elegant tribute using a beautiful blend of eaux-de-vie from the Petite Champagne cru. When André Bertandeau passed away, the entirety of his estate (along with his eaux-de-vie) was auctioned and the proceeds given to Action against Hunger and Doctors without Borders. The Cognac itself presents beautifully fruity facets on both nose and palate. With complex layers of aromas and flavors. Juicy peach is balanced by the delicate floral bouquet of cherry blossom, balanced by earthier tones of leather and walnut to round out a sophisticated nose. On the palate, bold bursts of grape, fig, peach and cherry combine with the nutty notes of almond past with a spicy finish of white pepper and ginger. - cognac-expert.com

Other reviews... Forgot to say, these cognacs are part of a series called ‘L’esprit de famille’. This ought to be a 1973 (remember Slade?) that could be sourced with the help of Guilhem Grosperrin, a regular on this humble little website (I mean, Whiskyfun). One of those great people who’ll prevent many great casks from getting butchered in large ‘commercial’ batches. Yeah I know, everything’s commercial. Colour: deep gold. Nose: this is pure mango jam mixed with heather honey and just a drop of latte. I find this stunning. Perhaps a dollop of camphor ointment. With water: when old books, very old calvados, hessian, fig wine, good mead and top-notch Sauternes meet. And fruit peelings plus even a touch of beeswax. Excuse me, but ‘wow’. Mouth (neat): pineapple jam. That’s always a killer. Touches of pepper and cloves in the back. With water: once again it’s not easy to get the spirit-water combo perfect. Does ‘earthy sultanas and pink pepper (Timut-style)’ make any sense? Love how the pepper warms you up. Finish: long, extremely well balanced between these sultry and luxurious fruits and the more aggressive, minty and peppery spiciness. Kick, knack and oomph. Amazing tobacco and black tea in the aftertaste. Comments: the pepper keeps burning your lips for a few minutes, which makes for an unusual feeling. Love it – this is cognac that you need to earn, at a price that should make many marketeers over Hadrian’s Wall or in London-on-the-Thames consider occupational retraining. There.
92 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com