We continue the journey to Christmas with the fourth pouch of our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, where we discovered the Landreau XXO Grande Champagne Cognac. A few months ago, we enjoyed the Landreau L’Âge D’Or, alongside the Maze Churchill Origine N°1 found in yesterday’s pouch (hence the absence of review yesterday). This time, the Landreau XXO offers a younger expression, giving us a chance to see if the same high quality carries through lower in their range.
Landreau XXO Grande Champagne Cognac Review
The Landreau XXO Grande Champagne Cognac averages 20 years of age. Domaine Landreau crafts it from Ugni Blanc grapes and distills it with the lees in their 20-hectolitre still. The estate matures it in casks from Tonnellerie Mercier within their humid cellar; the cooperage uses medium-grain oak with medium-plus toast. They bottle this additive-free Cognac at 40% ABV. It retails widely around €180, for example at Cognac-Expert.
Colour:
Chestnut.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens beautifully with bright orange candy aromas reminiscent of orange Regalad. They’re accompanied by fresh hints of mint leaves, toffee, milk chocolate, and delicate orange blossom water. The nose feels elegant and fresh, though it presents itself with a shy, subtle intensity.
Palate:
Neat: The palate starts thin and slightly aqueous but gains body as you savour it. Flavours of toffee and orange-flavoured fudge lead the way, followed by warming wood spices and gentle tannins. Touches of ginger and liquorice root, old leather and herbaceous notes of tea and moss.
Finish:
The finish lasts medium in length, lingering on notes of old wood, menthol, leather, and a gentle hint of orange blossom water.
Comments:
The Landreau XXO Cognac suffers from what feels like a rushed reduction, leaving it thin and slightly watery on the palate. This shortcoming disappoints, as its promising nose hints at real potential. A higher strength, even just 46% ABV, paired with no chill filtration, would transform its texture, and elevate it to a standout Grande Champagne expression.
Rating: 6/10
Advent Calendar provided by Cognac-Expert.