After the recently reviewed Vallein Tercinier bottled by Malternative Belgium, we compare two Fins Bois cognacs from this well-known merchant. We’ll review an official single cask against one selected by Cognac Sponge, the cognac branch of Whisky Sponge and Decadent Drinks. Specifically, we’ll review the Vallein Tercinier Lot 96 and N.88 Cognac Sponge, both single casks from the Fins Bois cru.
Vallein Tercinier Fins Bois Lot 96 Single Cask (2021) Review
We begin with an official release: the Vallein Tercinier Lot 96 single cask. This cognac comes from grapes matured in the Fins Bois cru and was bottled in 2021. It aged in French oak cask #138 and was bottled at cask strength (48.7% ABV), without chill filtration or colouring. The cask produced 435 bottles, which you can still find at retailers like Cognac-Expert and Rhum-Attitude (where you can also buy a 3 cl sample) for around €140-160.
Colour:
Polished mahogany.
Nose:
Neat: The nose initially appears a bit closed, but it opens up after some time in the glass. It reveals aromas of tropical fruits, butterscotch, and flowers, with hints of oak, jelly beans, and cinnamon. Milk chocolate and leather armchairs also emerge.
Palate:
Neat: The palate begins with butterscotch, but tropical fruits quickly emerge, featuring mango and passion fruit. It then evolves with the arrival of liquorice, pepper, and beautiful exotic woods, followed by honey on toast and floral tea. The flavours return to fruits with a hint of lemon. The mouthfeel is velvety and mouth-coating, with a slightly drying effect.
Finish:
Some bitterness appears, reminiscent of pine needles and spent tea leaves, but the tropical fruits persist, along with chocolate and wood. The finish is of medium length.
Comments:
This Vallein Tercinier Lot 96 Fins Bois single cask is a delicate and elegant cognac. It requires some time to open up, but once it does, it becomes truly very good. I particularly enjoyed its tropical notes, which, if you’ve been following this blog for a while, won’t surprise you.
Rating: 7.5/10
Vallein Tercinier Heritage N.88 Fins Bois Cognac Sponge (2023) Review
We conclude this little duo session with the Vallein Tercinier Heritage N.88 Fins Bois, which Cognac Sponge bottled in 2023, after Angus explored the Famille Vallein Tercinier’s cellar and selected this cask. It yielded 250 bottles at 48.8% ABV, with natural colour and without chill filtration. Unfortunately, it is sold out.
Colour:
Tawny.
Nose:
Neat: This nose is beautiful, offering aromas of bergamot, peaches, apricots, and oranges. It presents a bright and simple elegance, with hints of liquorice, tropical fruit jelly beans, and subtle notes of wood.
Palate:
Neat: The palate feels more intense than the OB, despite the minimal 0.1% ABV difference. The mouthfeel is slightly prickly, oily, and mouth-coating. It delivers flavours of butterscotch and the fruits detected on the nose, along with acacia honey, bergamot candy, eucalyptus, liquorice, and peppermint. This cognac is becoming not just beautiful, but stunning.
Finish:
Peppermint lingers, accompanied by rich caramel and milk chocolate, with bergamot notes reappearing. Floral tea adds depth, resulting in a long and warm finish.
Comments:
A few years older and with a similar ABV, this cognac stands distinctly apart. It is superb and intense, with bergamot and fresh herbaceous notes that I absolutely adored. It manages to be both luscious and fruity at the same time, making it splendid. A shame it’s sold out, but I can understand why!
Rating: 8.5/10
Thanks Arnaud! Bottle pictures courtesy of from Cognac-Expert and Decadent Drinks.