September 14, 2007

Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif

Bill Dowd photo

In just a few weeks, this new cognac will be on retail shelves. I had the opportunity to conduct an advance tasting.

Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif:

From the shape of the bottle to the rich deep-tea color to the smooth finish, this is a contemporary cognac. Courvoisier says it designed Exclusif as a "mixable" cognac, but that seems like something of a waste. The floral nose, vanilla and ginger notes made it a straight treat for me. Probably because it contains one of the oldest VSOPs.

There is a certain sophistication to the recipe, and enjoying it over a couple of ice cubes in a snifter allows all the mid-range notes to open up to the nose and palate.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I suppose a "mixable" cognac might help sales, but it doesn't do anything for me as a consumer. I like Courvoisier cognacs and wouldn't think of mixing them with anything but ice.

Unknown said...

Yes,I do agree this cognac may be a large advance as far as sales but this drink deserves nothing more but a glass and couple of ice cubes.

Anonymous said...

Promoting this superb cognac as a "mixable cognac" simply to gain market share in the rapper club culture makes about as much sense as marketing a Lomborghini to people in low-income subsidized housing. Courvoisier VSOP Ecslusif is one of the finest cognacs in the world, and this marketing ploy is an insult to the skilled makers, the product, and anyone with a discerning palate. I decided to try it because Courvoisier Exclusif tied for “Best Cognac” and also won a Double Gold medal at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Courvoisier also did a great job with the bottle design, but they should immediately drop the advertising agency that thought up the "mixable cognac" campaign, as this agency is apparently better suited to selling Mad Dog 20/20 and Ripple Wine than positioning this world-class product to maximum advantage with the ideal consumer segments.

Anonymous said...

Obviously a Sazerac is out of the question then. It is both mixable and stands for itself straight-up or over ice.

Appreciate it everyway you can.

Michel said...

How amazing, most of the comments deplore the "mixable" option but condone ice... Ice is water and pouring water in one of the best spirit, to me is already a crime. this is why I don't drink scotch of whiskey.
Just the same this is a nice and smooth drop, I have some reservation for the bottle, I like it but it does not fit well in my storage!