Grosperrin No. 45 Cognac - Fins Bois - OB - 52.1%
In 2020, there were 4 Grosperrin bottlings of No. 45 Fins Bois - Aficionados/Fine Drams, Passion for Whisky, Whisky Sponge, and this official bottling (OB). The Aficionados/Fine Drams and Passion for Whisky bottles share the same 50.8% ABV and bottle count (60). Whisky Sponge is close at 50.5% with twice the bottles (120). This OB is slightly higher at 52.1%. Unsure of the bottle count.
Numbers positioned like the 45 on this label often suggest a distillation year. However, retailer notes for 3 of the 4 bottlings provide disclaimers similar to the Fine Drams bottling:
"This exceptional batch is one of the very few in our collection to come from a distiller and wholesaler. The large well-known House, once owned by the Suntory group, for some unknown reason relieved itself of a few casks of old Cognac in a top-secret transaction which took place through a certified broker in 2019. This extremely rare lot of two casks is of undeniable interest, even although we cannot guarantee it has never been blended."
So maybe this is from Louis Royer stock? Was one cask split between Fine Drams, Passion for Whisky and Whisky Sponge for a total of 240 bottles and one released as an official bottling? Welcoming any additional information in the comments below.
This sample was provided by Cognac Grosperrin.
Nose: Beyond complex. Touch punchy. Apple. Caramel. Pear. Overripe raspberry. Grape jelly. Milk Chocolate. Old furniture. Lemon oil. Barnyard. Faint grassiness. Cinnamon builds w/ time. Lots of wood spice.
Flavor: More straight forward here. Apples. Waxy grapes. Faintly medicinal and minty. Cinnamon. Closes with a lot of woody spice.
Structure: Backloaded. Front is slow, viscous, and grippy then it gets spicy and active.
Alcohol Integration: Without water, the structure is more interesting and the nose is more complex. Water turns the fruit brighter/more tropical and balances the front and back of the palate. I prefer it without.
Score: 7 (Highly Recommend) Every time I picked up the glass to nose, I was hit with something new. The palate had trouble living up to that kind of complexity and was a little sluggish/closed off at the front, but built momentum nicely into a great spicy/wood driven finish.
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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