Jean Fillioux So Elegantissime XO Grande Champagne 1er Cru Cognac

Description

My love affair with good brandy continues to grow.  I know I’ve ranted and raved about the failings of of brandies in past, especially from France, but there seems to be a change of attitude with a number of Cognac producers.

Take a look at my review of the Fillioux 14yo here.

And Fillioux fits this bill. So Elegantissime looks like a very traditional XO style of Cognac, but the spirit is pure with no caramel addition.  Minimum age for trad XO is 7 years, but I suspect that older material has been blended in.  Such is the French way.

From Moonshine & Fuggles (great name), “Full of flavour with dried apricot, lemon tart, passion fruit and sweet spices on the palate.  A touch of Parma Violets. A long finish with some notes of sweet spices coming through such as coriander and cardamom.”

Official notes read, “Very floral nose, spring flowers, hawthorn, wild rose, acacia, mixed with aromas of white peach and nectarine. A touch of violet candy. Delicious liveliness on the palate with aromas of passion fruit, lemon pie, dried apricot. Long finish on sweet spices, coriander, cardamom. In short … Extremely elegant!”