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  • Nick's Import

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

Cognac, FRANCE
$220. 00
Bottle
$2640.00 Dozen
ABV: 54.1%
Described as "A Petite Champagne Stunner" by cognacexpert.com, this is another in a series of single cask cognacs bottled by the tiny family owned house of Jean Luc Pasquet. Distilled in 1988 from 100% Petite Champagne fruit and bottled uncut, of eleven casks sampled, this was the standout. 303 bottles are available worldwide. Comes with a very strong recommendation from Serge Valentin at whiskyfun.com below.

Other reviews... Obviously some vintage 1988 (don’t quote me here) so around 30 years old. This cognac was sourced at family Meslier in Châteauneuf-sur-Charente by the charming little house J-L Pasquet. I fondly remember their ‘Très Vieille Réserve’ from two or three years ago (WF 91). Colour: deep gold. Nose: pretty much the opposite of the two first ones, which means that we’re experiencing an avalanche of both fresh and preserved fruits, with some heather and manuka honeys to make it all a little rounder. Mirabelles, peaches, guavas, even pink bananas, apricots, touch of liquorice, drop of old Tokaji, figs, a funny feeling of botrytis (I’m sure that wouldn’t go through the stills anyway), and last but not least, rose petals. With water: it’s more difficult to reduce cognac than whisky, as I think I’ve noticed quite a few times already. So, please proceed drop by drop, until you meet stunning honeys, jams, and just all kinds of raisins there ever was. And more figs in this very case. Mouth (neat): not the first time I’m noticing that some cognac at +/-55% feels rather stronger than malt whisky at the same strength. As if the richer flavours and oils would just add up to the alcohol. Prickly pears and peaches, heavy triple-sec, mead, touches of pinewood, heavy liquorice… Well it’s a fighter when neat. With water: peach peel, peach flesh, melon, honey, a little cracked pepper, more liquorice, and a little chocolate. Excellent but keep it above roughly 45%. Finish: long, spicier. Cinnamon, liquorice, pepper. Preserved peaches are back in the aftertaste, while there’s still a lot of cracked pepper. Comments: clearly cognac for malt drinkers. That’s us my friend.
54.1% Alc./Vol. 90 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com

...A Petite Champagne Stunner in Homage to Christian Meslier... Jean Luc Pasquet is back with their latest addition to the ‘L’Esprit de Famille’ range that honors influential individuals in the Cognac world. The Pasquet L’Esprit de Famille Christian Cognac is an Hors d'Age bottle that honors Christian Meslier, a figure at the forefront of the craft. By selecting the finest 300-liter cask of Cognac produced in his Chateauneuf-sur-Charente vineyards in the Petite Champagne cru, Pasquet has achieved a worthy homage to a respected individual.... Pasquet L’Esprit de Famille Christian Cognac presents rich aromas of brown sugar, nutmeg and praline alongside spicy qualities, encompassing an overall aroma that encourages dreams of dessert. It is smooth and powerful on the palate, with flavors of pepper and tobacco leading to a long finish and a generous, perceptible afterglow. Labeled ‘Christian’s Cognac’ and decorated with the signature JLP stamp and hallmark of quality, this elegant, slim bottle is perfected with a luxurious wax seal, reminiscent of the oak casks in which the cognac’s maturation was achieved. The wonderfully deep amber color of the Cognac reflects beautifully in the bottle, accented with the hand-written labels that offer an insight into the product and house’s rich history... as impactful as the individual who inspired it. - cognacexpert.com