Bet
you can't tell me which is the top selling cognac
in Norway? Well, if you read the title to this article, you
would know that it's Bache Gabrielsen! Norwegian cognac? Not
really, it's actually French cognac made by Norwegians in
Cognac, France, and they have been doing it there since 1905.
As
if that wasn't confusing enough, this latest offering of theirs
is a cognac that is first aged in French oak barrels and then
finished in American Tennessee oak barrels for at least 6
months. Scandal, outrage - you protest, or maybe it's something
whose time has come.
For
a brandy to bear the name Cognac, it must meet certain very
strict French "Appellation Cognac Controlee" requirements,
two of which are: it must be aged at least two years and in
French oak barrels from Limousin or Troncais. Okay, Tennessee
is not located in France, and American oak is a no-no, or
at least, it used to be, but they seem to have gotten around
that by first ageing in French oak barrels.
Well,
let's give this unique cognac a spin and find out what those
wily French-Norwegians have been up to. The nose is light
and fruity and surprisingly not all that oaky. I sense pear
and vanilla, and the aroma is quite clean and straight forward.
The palate continues with the pear and vanilla, and adds some
caramel, and a clean oak taste, with some spice notes. This
is a smooth and tasty cognac that is not overly complicated.
The finish is also smooth and lasts a medium amount of time
leaving a pleasant sweet aftertaste reminiscent of caramel.
I
really could make this my every day cognac; it's just that
pleasant. I have always enjoyed the more complicated and layered
and deeper cognacs, but this one is just as interesting and
tasty just in a slightly different way. I'll bet it goes great
with a medium bodied cigar after a great dinner. I can't wait
to try that out.
Bache
Gabrielsen American Oak Cognac can be found for around
$39.99 to $47.00 per 750ML bottle and is 40% ABV and is currently
only available in the USA.
By George Brozowski
For
more Rants & Raves click
here.
http://www.bache-gabrielsen.com/