Park VS Carte Blanche Cognac (700ml)

Cognac Park is the premier brand from Distillerie Tessendier, a Borderies-based house established in 1880. Today, fourth-generation brothers and Master Blenders, Lilian and Jérôme Tessendier run the show. Not limited to blending, they also distill from their own 60 hectare estate and buy around 40,000 hectoliters from winemakers, maintaining relationships that span several generations. The entry-level VS is a 50/50 marriage of Fins Bois and Petite Champagne cognacs aged for a minimum of three years, but most of it is closer to six. The goal was to create an "energetic Cognac" that grants bartenders 'carte blanche’ to use it as they wish in cocktails, however, it feels like what they’ve made here would be quickly lost in mixing. Tasting it on its own is essential. The first pass elicits pure, floral-soft aromatics, coaxing out scents of ripe pears, apricots and citrus blossom. That soft touch is echoed on the palate which is restrained, elegant and less overtly fruity than many a VS, also impeccably pure. Dried fruits, poached quince, dry triple sec and lingering wisps of passionfruit in the lengthy rebound make this very classy, understated VS seem out of place in its classification. Highly recommended. 40% Alc./Vol. Tasted from 50ml sample.

Notes from the producers... Menthol, linden blossom, apricot, banana, pear, ginger, dried fruits, pepper (pink), lychee, orange zest, and white flowers.