The colour does not lie: a Rare Pale is meant to look pale precisely because it has not been adjusted with caramel colouring the way many commercial cognacs are. What you see in the glass is what the cask actually gave it.
Expert's Description
WV Baker & Cie Rare Pale is a Single Estate French Cognac, bottled at 43%.
As an independent bottler, WV Baker & Cie seeks out single casks with a clear character of their own, often from lesser-known estates in the Cognac district, rather than following a fixed blending style like the large merchant houses. Rare Pale is the house's take on a younger, more direct cognac style, where the pale colour signals precisely a shorter, but deliberate, cask ageing.
The cognac comes from a single estate and has aged 6 years, bottled without colour adjustment at 43% – slightly above the usual standard strength of 40%, giving a somewhat bolder expression in the glass.
The result is a cognac that prioritises freshness and purity over heavy cask character, showing a different side of what the Cognac district can offer beyond the heavy, dark XO styles.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh grapes and light floral perfume, with a touch of vanilla.
Palate
Direct and clean, with notes of white fruit and a fine acidity.
Finish
Short to medium, fresh and lightly spiced.
Specifications
Name: WV Baker & Cie Rare Pale
Distillery: WV Baker & Cie
Country: France
Type: Single Estate French Cognac
Age: 6 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 3770023406000
Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed at room temperature in a cognac glass
Flavour Profile
Fresh grapes · White fruit · Vanilla · Acidity
Did You Know?
The name Pale refers to the fact that the cognac is not coloured with caramel, as many commercial cognacs are to appear uniformly dark – here, all colour comes solely from the cask itself.
