Grosperrin Bons Bois 25 ans 49,8%

Sunny Shades from Dordogne

This cognac has some very cool features. Firstly, as you’ve probably noticed, it’s a Bons Bois, which is such an uncommon thing in the cognac world. Secondly, it comes from a small producer that used to distill with a wood-heated pot still. Thirdly, this cognac has been made from the bottom end of the cru (Chalais), very close to the most secrete part of the Bois Ordinaires (where has been made the Camus Retour à Saint-Aulaye for example). Finally, it has been bottled at 49,8%, but it’s quite a casual quirk in Grosperrin’s range. 

Colour: Amber, gold lights. Irregular heavy tears.

Nose: Coastal notes of pine bark and heather. Various resinous shades, mainly cedar and pine wood scents. The very beginning reminds me of some Jamaican rum incipit (like the Worthy Park Transcontinental 2013 for example). Ample melon notes surrounded by dashes of spicy notes of paprika and cardamom. Tinned citruses notes, especially on the apricot stew. A tad of fresh leather smells too.

Mouth: Acidulous palate, full of raisins and prunes at first, immediately followed by warm spicy notes. A delicious fruity aftertaste on vine peaches and young apricots. A tad of acidity on linseed oil and fresh lime juice. The ABV is maybe a little too high, but it remains well-integrated in this Bons Bois.

Last Notes: Full of resinous shades with more air, especially on cedarwood. Some fresh notes on eucalyptus and peppermint. A tad of pastry and fermented notes, something like sesame seeds bread. Great roasted notes on cocoa powder and bitter chocolate. Back on the palate, bitterness, and acidity of fresh grapefruit juice and lingering bitter chocolate notes. It ends on young apricots and banana peel. Hints of marzipan too.

Not my favorite Bons Bois, but it remains an easy well-balanced cognac, and there’s only a lack of complexity to reach another level. Regarding its atypical features (vines planted in very sandy soil for example) and this tasting note, this Grosperrin Bons Bois 25 ans could easily contest in a UFO comparative session with the Oleron n°90.

My very subjective note: 85+/100