Jean-Luc - Lot 68-72 - Kirsch Import - 59,1%
P’icture taken at Roche Bobois Stuttgart
Pasquet is quite unique within the Cognac region, due to their philosophy of not blending everything into huge, consistent blends like most houses in Cognac do, but committing to the subtleties of harvests and a variety of grape, resulting in small and contrasting limited series, sometimes even single casks. This cask, which is a blend of a 1968 and 1972, was selected by our friends from Kirsch Import. So, let's break on through (to the other side) and face the music.
Nose
Ecstatic! Exotic! Erotic! These three E's just came to our mind when the first molecules ensnared our olfactory nerves. It feels like a vibrant, flaming hybrid of the best Rosebanks with a sea of flowers such as a huge load of coconut oil and glue of the Velier Diamonds and Albions, lined by a beautiful sweetness of sultanas and raisins, proving it's grape-like origin. The nose is simply a blast. Vanilla cake, violets, apple seeds, peaches, glue, honeycomb, wet cedar and sandalwood, fried manioc, walnut cream. Such a beautiful mess, so that the Brits would call it a Vanity Fair.
Palate
The initial hit is like the powertrain of the new electrified Porsche: wild, demanding and unforgiving, yet not rough, with a super heavy chassis and very oily texture. Bittersweet raisin chocolate, walnut dessert, precious wood oils, lemons and grapefruit essence, together with a freshness of overripe honeymelons infused with fermented peppermint tea set the tone. The wood influence of five decades is clearly noticable, but not for the bad. Trust us, it's au contraire. This Cognac is stuff to kill for, especially for fellas who also appreciate an excellent rum from Guyana.
Finish
Longer than the french revolution, coating and drying everything in a lovely walnut and physalis bitterness. It lasts and lasts, with no end in sight (fortunately).
Rating
Hands-down, this is the best bottled Cognac AND Kirsch Release we've ever had in our glass so far (along with 1996 Kirsch Cask Caroni). It's also clearly noticable that Sebastian from the notorious Wu Dram Clan, who joined Kirsch lately, has had his finger in the pie. This ain't no fooling around, but some ass-kicking, sexy Mafia drink. Ladies and gents, time for LA Rappers to swap their crappy Hennessy booze with some proper Pasquet!
