Germain-Robin "One Time Blend No. 25" (42.7%): I knew that I had a sample of this blend somewhere at home but it was lost for quite some time... The other day during an attempt to sort my sample bottles it resurfaced..! It is a limited edition blend of brandies distilled in 1993, 1997 and 2003/2004 from Pinot Noir, Semillon and Colombards grapes respectively. I remember when this brandy from Germain-Robin scored 98 points by Wine Enthusiast in 2017 higher than any other Cognacs or Armagnacs they tasted the same year but I didn't have a chance to taste it back then. Let's pour some now and see what the whole buzz was about...
Color: Copper, medium amber with thin legs.
Nose: Freshly sliced Bartlett pears, table grapes and hyacinths. It's fresh, fruity and floral. White peaches and red plums. Lemon scented room freshener and some metallic qualities, more like water left in a Sigg bottle for a week.
Palate: Young and fresh... Lightly toasted oak staves and pear compote. Burnt rice pudding, orange flavored sparkling water and cinnamon dusting. Lemon cough drops and eucalyptus.
Finish: Medium with eucalyptus and lemon peel.
Overall: Ok, I am a little lost here... Did I taste something different than what the Wine Enthusiast judges tasted back in 2017..? Although it is a pretty decent brandy it is hard to understand how it scored better the any other Cognacs or Armagnacs sampled the whole year. Either I am missing something very important here or like I said I tasted something completely different... It is a light, floral and perfumy brandy reminding mostly a Lowlands single malt Scotch whisky. It is easy to drink, doesn't carry any offensive notes whatsoever but that's mostly about it really. Thanks to Derek Kendzor for the sample.
Price: $75
84/100
Color: Copper, medium amber with thin legs.
Nose: Freshly sliced Bartlett pears, table grapes and hyacinths. It's fresh, fruity and floral. White peaches and red plums. Lemon scented room freshener and some metallic qualities, more like water left in a Sigg bottle for a week.
Palate: Young and fresh... Lightly toasted oak staves and pear compote. Burnt rice pudding, orange flavored sparkling water and cinnamon dusting. Lemon cough drops and eucalyptus.
Finish: Medium with eucalyptus and lemon peel.
Overall: Ok, I am a little lost here... Did I taste something different than what the Wine Enthusiast judges tasted back in 2017..? Although it is a pretty decent brandy it is hard to understand how it scored better the any other Cognacs or Armagnacs sampled the whole year. Either I am missing something very important here or like I said I tasted something completely different... It is a light, floral and perfumy brandy reminding mostly a Lowlands single malt Scotch whisky. It is easy to drink, doesn't carry any offensive notes whatsoever but that's mostly about it really. Thanks to Derek Kendzor for the sample.
Price: $75
84/100
Comments