Drouet Cognac - Blog post by Thomas Heie Nielsen

Many people have an attitude that cognac is something about old men in suits, brown leather furniture and a cigar in the other hand. This is completely wrong. And we can also start by debunking the myth that only the French drink cognac. This is also completely wrong.

Blog post written by Thomas Heie Nielsen

The French actually drink far more whisky than cognac. Cognac is largely an export product for France. In fact, more whisky is sold in France each year than cognac is sold worldwide. For every 100 bottles of spirits sold in France, 49.5 of them are whisky and only 0.5 are cognac. So the dear French make cognac and export it to the rest of us.

Drouet has been producing cognac since 1848. The cognac house makes everything from scratch. They have their own vineyards where they harvest the wine, produce, age and bottle their cognac themselves. All on site. They are not allowed to call their cognac organic. It is very difficult to get a certificate that the wine is organic. But they grow the vineyards without artificial fertilizers. The cognac has no added color or sugar. The cognac is distilled in an alambic pot still, which we also know from rum production.

Cognac is made almost exclusively from the Ugni Blanc grape, as well as a few other grapes. Armagnac is made from 10 different grape varieties, including Ugni Blanc. Basically, cognac is made on a pot still. While armanac is made on a column. This often makes cognac appear sharper in its flavor profile. While armanac is perceived as much softer. You will find out that there are exceptions in this review.

Grape Cognac dictionary:
In the Grand Champagne district, Cognac is aged longer than in other Cognac districts.

V.S. means Very Special and is 3-5 year old cognac.
V.S.O.P. means Very Superior Old Pale and is 5 to 10 year old cognac.
Reserve de Jean often called Napoleon is 7-15 years old cognac.
X.O. Ulysse Extra Old is 15-25 years old cognac.
Paradis Hors d'Age is 20-53 years old cognac.

I think we've read enough about cognac. Let's taste the grapes.

Drouet VS Cognac Grande Champagne 40%
This cognac is actually meant to be enjoyed with a tonic. But it's also excellent on its own.

Aroma:
Fresh, light and sweet pear juice. Sun-ripened grapes, elderflower, ripe blue plums, figs and vanilla.

Taste:
Sweet ripe grape, plum, melon and fig and vanilla. Mildly spicy and medium dryness on the finish.

Drouet VSOP Cognac Grande Champagne 40%
This cognac has been aged for up to 8 years. The minimum required for a V.S.O.P. is 5 years.

Aroma:
The aroma of this cognac is more powerful and full-bodied. There is still a distinct barrel character, some ripe galia melon, figs and a mild spicy note from the barrel.

Taste:
Again, a more powerful and full-bodied character on the palate. Vanilla, dried pineapple, coconut, mango and peach. Delicate spice from the barrel.

Drouet Réserve De Jean Cognac Grande Champagne 40%
A mature vintage cognac developed in memory of Jean L'Homme, the founder of the Drouet wine house.

Aroma:
Naturally, with the higher age, there is more fade on the aroma. But the grape is still present. Beautiful notes of sweet apple and pear juice, peach and vanilla. A hint of citrus and freshly baked bread. A more characterful aroma.

Taste:
More complexity in the cognac. More spice. More caramel. Coffee, burnt sugar and crème brûlée. Really delicious. A mature cognac with a long-lasting aftertaste. Fantastic glass.

Drouet Cuvée ULYSSE XO 40%
A 20-year-old thoroughbred cognac that pays tribute to old traditions, good craftsmanship, good ingredients and the family's grandfather Patrick Drouet. Presented in a beautiful decanter.

Aroma:
Complex, characterful and spicy aroma. Notes of roasted nuts, dark chocolate, dried raisins, figs and a hint of spicy and fresh ginger. Lovely fragrance.

Taste:
Creamy and rich. Very luxurious touch. Spicy cask, nutmeg, sun-ripened summer apples and some fresh acidity/citrus and a bit of spice tobacco. A very competent glass.

Drouet Paradis de Famille Hors D'Age 42
The flagship of Drouet Cognac. Paradis de Famille. It is the oldest available Cognac from the Drouet range. It contains cognacs that keep an age of between 25 and 30 years and only 500 bottles a year are produced of this cognac.

Aroma:
A cognac that really benefits from time in the glass to open up. But then you also get the scent. Apple and pear juice, mild spices and sweet pipe tobacco. Apricot, fig and peach. Vanilla, freshly baked bread and spice cake.

Taste:
The flavor of the grape really comes through here. Vanilla, apricot, coconut and icing sugar. A little freshness and acidity. Coffee and chocolate. Pleasant spice and a balanced cask character. The barrel has not taken over despite the many years. The grape tastes lovely throughout. A cognac to celebrate the big events.

Conclusion:
These were five absolutely delicious cognacs. Now let's move on to the dessert. Drouet Pineau Des Charentes is made from ¼ part one-year-old cognac at 60% and ¾ part fresh grape juice. Drouet Pineau Des Charentes Vintage Rose matures for at least one year in barrel and Drouet Pineau Des Charentes Vintage Blanc for up to five years in barrel. The wine is served cold in a white wine glass, preferably with a few ice cubes and drunk neat.

Drouet Pineau Des Charentes Vintage Rose 17.5

Aroma:
Spicy and herbal. Soup herbs and strawberries.

Taste:
Sweet sun-ripened strawberries. Strawberry jam.

Drouet Pineau Des Charentes Vintage Blanc 17,5%

Aroma:
Rich and aromatic scent of honey, ripe melon, apricot and candied fruit.

Taste:
Sweet acacia honey, meadow flowers and peach.

Cognac Fun Fact:
To produce one liter of cognac, you need 8-9 liters of wine. All cognac is aged in French oak.

My highest recommendations on Drouet Cognac.
This is some of the absolute best cognac I have ever tasted. Ever. It is incredibly well composed and very drinkable. It really has a lot of flavor and is not at all as scratchy and pungent as many other cognacs can be. This is gentle, soft, delicious and incredibly tasty

Cognac vs. Armanac

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