A Mighty Fine Cognac that Napoleon loved

5 Nov 16th, 2001 (May 29th, 2002)

Advantages:
Lovely taste .  High Quality .  Leaves a clean and fresh finish

Disadvantages:
A tad expensive

Recommendable: Yes 

Detailed rating:

Value for money

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ashford

About me: Hi, my name is Ray. I'm originally from Ashford, Kent but am currently working as an economist in ...

Member since:21.06.2000

Reviews:581

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Review rated by 41 Ciao members on average: very helpful


I am sure you have come across this expression “...… All cognac is brandy but not all brandy is cognac.” To be designated as a cognac, a brandy has to be made from a certain type of grape that grows only in the area of Cognac, Western France. Courvoisier Cognac VS is a particularly fine example.

On a warm summer's evening after a fine meal what could be better than a glass of cognac, some tonic and a fine cigar ? If you want to choose a particularly fine cognac then I think Corvoisier VS would fit the bill just nicely.

An old legend suggests that Napoleon held Emmanuel Courvoisier’s cognac in such high esteem that he took with him hundreds of bottles to enjoy during his years in exile. Lucky Napoleon! This reserve became known as Le Cognac de Napoleon, a description that is still proudly borne even today on all Courvoisier cognac.

Courvoisier Cognac VS have delicate aromas from the eau-de-vie and the wood and has a full taste and distinctive character. Fruity and flowery, its lovely golden colour reflects its undoubted smoothness and character. It leaves a clean and fresh finish on the palate. On the nose, scents of flowers and dried fruit predominate. On a warm summer’s day Courvoisier VS can be used to make a variety of long drinks or mixed with ice, water or tonic. Its alcohol content by volume content (ABV) is 40%.

VS stands for Very Special, also called +++ (Three stars), meaning it is a cognac at least two and a half years old. Its youngest eau-de-vie is under four and a half years old. Courvoisier Cognac VS 5 – 8 year old stock, however, comes mostly from the Fins Bois region with some petite champagne added to provide a robust fruity flavour on the finish.

This fine cognac comes packaged in the so-called Josephine bottle, which first came out in the early 1950’s. It is today the No. 2 brand in both the UK and the USA.

You should be able to buy Courvoisier VS at good off-licences, many supermarkets stock it and, if you are a jet setter, you certainly will be able to find it at most duty free emporiums. A 70cl bottle costs around £19.20. It’s well worth it.

Thanks for reading !

 

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Comments about this review
e.j.kingham

e.j.kingham

19.12.2005 13:17

Tescos have been selling Courvoisier Brandy Butter - the most seasonal way to intake a fine specimin of a Brandy I believe!

PitSweat

PitSweat

20.01.2003 16:26

Interestingly historical review. Thank you for writing as I enjoyed reading.

dchurch

dchurch

30.05.2002 01:27

You still can't beat a really good bottle of Remi!

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