Courvoisier 12 Year Old Cognac

Product of: France

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Launched in the U.S. in October 2010 as part of the Courvoisier Connoisseur Collection (along with Courvoisier 21-Year-Old), as the name would suggest this has been aged for a minimum of 12 years in French oak and is a blend primarily selected from the Borderies region with some Grand Champagne.

(According to Courvoisier's master blender, Patrice Pinet, Borderies cognacs require less age than Grand or Petit Champagne and he considers it reaches its peak around 12-years-old, hence the creation of this blend.)

This is the first cognac with an age statement to be released by one of the big five cognac houses and is possible because in 1986 Courvoisier's former master blender, Jean Marc Olivier, instigated the careful cataloguing of recording exactly what eaux-de-vie were blended together throughout the long aging period. It is these records which provide the necessary traceability to allow the house to market cognacs with an age statement.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 01/05/2011

Appearance:

Golden amber

Aroma:

Floral orange blossom, palma violet, clove and star arise nose with linseed oil putty aromas and fresh ginger root spice.

Taste:

Raisiny, marmalade, almond palate with rich Christmas pudding and ginger cake.

Aftertaste:

Elegant, spicy marmalade finish with floral notes, coffee, tobacco and bitter chocolate - indeed the recommended serve is neat with chocolate on the side.