XO Imperial - Rich, Long, and Complex
Written: Feb 23 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Well developed XO. Rich flavors, long finish. Something for everyone.
Cons: Not much here.
The Bottom Line: Wonderful XO. Fuller and more complex than most. If you are unsure about your favorite cognac style, start here.
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| shinkenvii's Full Review: Courvoisier |
Finding your favorite XO cognac can be a hugely difficult (and terribly expensive) task. It is not always easy to find miniature bottles, and when you do, it is usually for the big-name brands. With the high-end cognac ($1000 to $6000), assuming you have that kind of resources, not to mention connoisseurship, you pick your favorite brand and you buy it. Getting to the point where you are confident that brand you pick will be worth it is trickier, which is where the XOs come in. Remy's XO is fruity and complex, Hardy's is delicate and refined, Hennessy's is earthy and masculine, and Courvoisier's has something for everyone.
The Courvoisier XO has a bit of a deeper color than other XO cognacs. To the nose, it starts delicate and floral, but soon develops a nicely balanced bouquet of vanilla. Deeper into the glass, it shows a richer layer of complexity, bringing in scents of nutmeg and even cocoa. To the nose, Courvoisier's is the least harsh at the base of the glass, showing a well-balanced finesse.
The Courvoisier's texture is quite rounded and smooth. It seems to be bigger in the mouth than the aforementioned XO cognacs. The finish lingers a bit longer as well.
For the cost of the other XO cognacs, the Courvoisier is probably a better value in terms of complexity and richness. Though its aromas are not as sweet as the Remy (which I find to be a good thing ... you may not, and that's just personal preference), and the texture is not as silky as the Hardy, Courvoisier's XO wins in terms of richness and length.
Courvoisier's XO is an excellent middle ground in the world of XO cognacs, and would be a fantastic choice for a first XO. Just keep in mind that it is a bit more robust and earthy, but the slight lack of as much fruit is certainly worth it for the longer, more complex flavor.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
shinkenvii
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Reviews written: 5
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