Jean-Luc Pasquet Lot 62 - Serious Brandy #2 - 2020 - 40.4%
#2 of two old cognacs from 1962, produced by Pierre de Joyet, bottled by JLP, and selected for Serious Brandy. Steve documented the distribution of these 1962 Pierre de Joyet casks which is included below (accurate as of April 19th, 2021).
The Pasquets purchased four of five casks of 1962 Petite Champagne Ugni Blanc Cognac from this estate. Three of the casks were split up between different buyers.
Cask 1 (40.1% abv) Split: Serious Brandy #1 and Malternative Belgium
Cask 2 (40.4% abv) Split: Serious Brandy #2 and Wu Dram Clan (abv is mislabeled as 40.3% on the Serious Brandy bottling)
Cask 3 Not purchased
Cask 4 (41.9% abv) Split: Legacy Brandy “The Duke” and La Maison du Whisky Through the Grapevine
Cask 5 (41.3%) Pasquet L'Esprit de Famille “Le Cognac de Pierre”
Note that the Cask numbers were designated by the producer. They were not released in that order (Cask 4 was released first, then 1 and 2, and now 5).
Notes: Fresh. Bright. Great harmony - off to a good start with the nose. Pollen. Florals. Strawberry. Fresh mixed berries. Mango. Frosting, touch of rich caramel, but less barrel influence than Serious Brandy #1. Tropical on the palate. Wild cherry. Mango. Pineapple. Oak. Fruity, cherry hard candies. Oak and some faint medicinal notes add layers toward the back. Rebounds tropical in the finish with hints of savory spice. The spice and light tannins expand wide on the palate. Dynamic vertically with all the fruit.
Score: 9 (Stash Two) Drinks pleasantly over its proof. Barrel influence and fruit are more balanced than in #1. But I prefered the body on #1 and found its profile really engaging. They're both great. Plenty of shared qualities, but distinct enough it warrants having both.
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