1973 Camus LMDW Through the Grapevine - Bons Bois - 42.9%
This is a vintage dated, 1973 single cask from Camus bottled by La Maison Du Whisky's Through the Grapevine label. Depending on your market, sourcing single casks of brandy that haven't been too sugared up or watered down can require some significant legwork. A line like this that gets wider distribution and exposes new markets to smaller cognac houses is a welcome sight. While Camus usually emphasizes grapes from the Borderies cru, this cask comes from the Bons Bois region, which, along with a small 200 bottle release, makes it a notable release.
Nose: Balanced, layered delivery. Plenty of fruit and oak up front. Bright grapes. Cherry hard candy. Fresh blueberries. Caramel. Furniture polish. Soft florals. Barnyard. Some skunk and earth toward the tail.
Flavor: Apple. Pear. Blueberry. Caramel. Touch of tartness around the oak. Kicks some florals and cocoa nibs into the finish.
Structure: Patient and even. Full and slow with soft waves. Long with no heat.
Alcohol Integration: Right where I needed it. Didn’t bother messing with water for the sample.
Score: 9 (Stash Two) Tough to imagine pouring this for someone and them not enjoying it. Balanced, approachable, and complex.
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Voyer - Grande Champagne - Legacy Brandy 1971-1988 - 43%
The Voyer was more tropical and fruit forward on the nose and finish; a little less refined/integrated on the palate. But the fruit forward profile, measured barrel influence, patient, rounded structure, and crushable proof made for interesting parallels during a side-by-side.
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