We reviewed three cognacs from the sample pack that Cognac-Expert sold a few weeks ago. This sample pack included six cognacs, and with today’s trio, we will have reviewed them all. In addition to today’s three cognacs, the pack contained Guynot Elégance, Bégaud Instant Rare, and Egreteau 80–81 B23. The last three cognacs we’re reviewing today are from Maze Churchill, Landreau, and La Prenellerie, with Authentic Spirits bottling the latter.
Maze Churchill Origine N°1 Cognac Review
We begin our cognac session with a Maze Churchill Origine N°1. Jeanne Maze, granddaughter of post-impressionist painter Paul Maze, and Robert Churchill, a descendant of Winston Churchill’s cousin, founded Maze Churchill in 1979. Interestingly, their grandparents Paul Maze and Winston Churchill met during World War I. You can find more information and an interview with Jeanne and Robert Maze on Cognac-Expert.
Now, let’s discuss Origine N°1. This cognac is the first release in the ‘Les Étapes de L’Esprit’ series from Domaine Maze Churchill, a collection that traces the life of the vine and the spirit of creation. Distilled without the lees from Ugni Blanc grapes grown in the Borderies cru, this cognac aged for approximately 35 years in 350-litre French oak barrels. After maturing in a humid cellar, it was bottled at 43.2% ABV, with no additives or added colour. You can purchase a bottle for about €220 from Cognac-Expert, for example.
Colour:
Light brown sherry
Nose:
Neat: Superb nose, intense and rich. Maple syrup, orange, brown sugar, caramel, and pecan ice cream stand out, along with soft, warm spices.
Palate:
Neat: The palate features toasted and lacquered exotic woods, fruit jellies, and a mix of spices including cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, saffron, and cumin. Roasted pecans and hazelnuts, dark caramel, hints of honey and icing sugar, raisins, and ginger are also present.
Finish:
The toasted wood flavour persists, accompanied by other smoky notes, and a gentle warmth develops in the throat.
Comments:
In my limited experience, Borderies cognacs are usually less fruity than crus like Fins Bois, which I generally prefer. However, this Maze Churchill is superb and proves that all Cognac crus can produce excellent cognacs. And, by the way, it has a beautiful label.
Rating: 7.5/10
Landreau L’Âge D’Or Grande Champagne Cognac Review
Domaine Landreau, a small, family-run cognac producer, operates in the heart of Grande Champagne, the premier cru of Cognac, and has done so since its founding in 1859 in Criteuil-la-Magdeleine. They made the Domaine Landreau L’Âge d’Or cognac exclusively from Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie. This blend comes from Ugni Blanc grapes and aged for an average of 50 years in French oak barrels before bottling at 40% ABV. You can find it for about €269 a bottle at Cognac-Expert, for instance.
Colour:
Stunning old oak.
Nose:
Neat: The nose presents bright candied fruits such as orange, apricots, and tropical fruits, along with a light walnut aroma and soft rancio, although it appears somewhat shy.
Palate:
Neat: The palate surprises with its intensity despite the low ABV, offering a slightly thin yet velvety mouthfeel. Flavours of walnut wine, pepper, saffron, old oak, and dried fruits emerge, with blood oranges, plums, and some grapefruit becoming distinguishable over time. Additionally, dark chocolate notes appear. Initially intense, the palate weakens slightly midway before regaining strength towards the end.
Finish:
The finish maintains the intensity from the end of the palate, with dark chocolate, old oak, and pepper. It leaves a peppery warmth on the tongue and a slight astringency.
Comments:
The nose begins well but then falters and becomes shy. The palate follows a similar pattern, starting strong, weakening mid-palate, before recovering and finishing strongly. This fragility prevents the Landreau L’Âge d’Or from achieving a higher rating, but it remains a very good Grande Champagne cognac nonetheless.
Rating: 7/10
La Prenellerie Lot 73 Bons Bois Authentic Spirits (2024) Review
French independent bottler Authentic Spirits selected this La Prenellerie Lot 73, a cognac hailing from the Bons Bois terroir. The spirit comes from Domaine La Prenellerie, nestled on the clay-limestone hillsides near the Gironde estuary. Since its establishment in 1972, the domaine has championed eco-friendly practices, adopting sustainable farming in 1984 and initiating a shift to organic methods in 2015 under Frédéric Billonneau’s stewardship.
This single cask offering, distilled purely from Ugni Blanc grapes, matured in the domaine’s cellars until its cask-strength bottling in October 2024. Unadulterated and unfiltered, it is filled at 52.6% ABV. You’ll find it priced at approximately €220 per bottle on platforms like Cognac-Expert.
Colour:
Between auburn and mahogany.
Nose:
Neat: The nose exhibits an intense aroma with the ABV presenting slightly stronger than expected. Notes of tropical fruit jelly, dried plums, dark honey, and oak emerge, followed by a pleasant chalky minerality.
With water: It reveals more citrus and lemon oil infused with floral hints.
Palate:
Neat: The palate offers a thick mouthfeel with an oaky and peppery arrival. A strong tartness comes through with citrus notes of lemons and grapefruit, along with bitterness from spent tea leaves and orange peel.
With water: After reduction, the palate features a superb mouthfeel, creamy and with a stunning citrusy tartness. Eucalyptus and aniseed add a light and refreshing layer.
Finish:
The tartness and bitterness persist, primarily the tartness, accompanied by a salty minerality reminiscent of beach pebbles.
Comments:
Authentic Spirits has made an excellent choice with this superb Bons Bois cognac from La Prenellerie. This lot 73 stands out, not so much for the tropical fruits I usually enjoy in aged Bons Bois, but for its superb citrusy tang. When slightly diluted, it reveals a fresh herbaceousness with notes of eucalyptus and aniseed, making this cognac really excellent.