Cognac Maxime Trijol Tres Vieille Borderies - 80 yr. - 40%
From the Maxime Trijol website: "In 1954, Maxime Trijol became a wine and brandy broker. He was officially recognized as a professional distiller in 1962. In 1972, Jean-Jacques Trijol took over from his father, and with the same passion and meticulousness as his ancestors has preserved the family secret in making outstanding Cognac. In 2013, his two daughters, Anne-Sophie and Pauline joined him in running the property and its 22 stills... The Trijol family’s vines grow in the two most exclusive Cognac crus (regional appellation areas) of the 78,000-hectare Cognac production area: Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. The main grape variety cultivated is Ugni Blanc."
I wasn't able to find much on this expression, even a bottling date. There's a bar code so it wasn't bottled too long ago. Internet photos of the label didn't offer up any additional info. Some marketing copy mentions 80 years of aging. Some do not. Given the Borderies designation and the 80 year old designation mentioned in some blurbs, the cognac was likely acquired after Maxime's transition to brandy broker.
Nose: Strawberry Big League Chew. Florals. Well weathered oak in the background. Caramel. Pleasant fungal/mushroom/rot. Also some crisp vegetal notes. Lots of complexity here, but I also feel like I'm working real hard.
Flavor: Notes lack clarity. Nuts and spice up front. Red fruits. Drying wood. Bitter roots.
Structure: Light. Most of the action builds toward drying notes in a low intensity finish.
Proof Integration: Reads thin and watered down.
Score: 5 (Acceptable) Nose is engaging. Tastes pleasant, but generic. Same problems I have with dusty, 80 proof bourbon: solid noses, not enough clarity on the palate or action in the finish.
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For easy drinking driven by fruit and oak.
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