Review: 1965 Grosperrin
Updated: Jan 21, 2021
1965 Grosperrin - Borderies - 49.5%
Part of the reason I document my tasting notes/share them is that I started tasting a fair amount of spirits that I had trouble finding info on. Many of these were old/rare. It seemed sad to finish a pour and not mark its existence in some way. Jean Grosperrin's story resonates with me for similar reasons. By the late 1990s, as the cognac industry saw an uptick in global sales (primarily through mass market blends), Jean Grosperrin began La Gabare's Cognac de Collection with the goal of preserving some of the small house styles that were more frequently being lost to big, commercial blends. He began by forming relationships with winegrowers and brokers to identify quality casks of cognac with verified provenance that exhibited exceptional character in the glass . These would be released without the addition of caramel coloring or sugar and absent chill filtering. Many releases would be offered unreduced at natural cask strength.
This 1965 was part of a cognac lot that included vintages from 1960, 1961, and 1964. The barrels were stored in a small cellar with no electricity and never topped off. Some lost upwards of 70% to the angel's share.
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Nose: Blend of savory/fruity. Bright pineapple. Then heavy into savory. Some barnyard, rotty stuff that I’m into. Jamaican rum. Soggy wood. Grilling spices.
Flavor: Old weathered notes up front. Toffee. Fruit starts more candied and then gets fresh and herbal. Honeycrisp apples. Rotty notes builds. Medicinal overtones. Pop of oak. Finish unfolds all this fresh fruit - plums, tart cherries. Impressive.
Structure: Delicate but impressive structure. Lean and light. Soft peak. Slow, easy unfolding in the finish.
Alcohol Integration: Delicate for its proof. Finish is long with no heat. Missing a touch of umph.
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Score: 8 (Stash One) All about the structure and those old, rotty notes. Soft, dynamic, and interesting. The lightness docks it slightly for me.
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Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour
Source: Grosperrin