Our first release
We have discovered two very special cognacs, along with a sweet treat.
Each distiller has their own journey that leads them to produce spirits for us to enjoy. We at Old Master Spirits want to recognize and pay homage to the hard work that has been put in place. We want to tell you their story.
1957 Fins Bois Cognac, 63 years old, Jean-Luc Pasquet
Distilled 1957 • Aged 63 years in barrel • Bottled 28/01/2021 • Cask Strength 47.6% • Fins Bois Cognac • 500ml • Limited to only 70 bottles
In 1956, Jean Aubineau had prepared to take over his family’s vineyard. However, life did not go as planned and Jean was conscripted to the French-Algerian war that year. Being one of the few recruits who could drive, he was selected to chauffeur a General around as his service. Jean was honourably discharged the following year in 1957 and returned home to craft this Fins Bois cognac in Saint Simeux.
Jean Aubineau’s sons, Christian and Jean-Paul eventually took over the family’s vineyard and to this day continue to care for their ancestor’s vines.
Nose: Passionfruit, pineapple, red grapes, honey, muscovado sugar, toffee, nuts with a hint of cigar box.
Taste: Tropical fruits, pineapple fizz, pink grapefruit, tangelo, pink peppercorn, brewed tea, oak and rancio.
Finish: Medium-Long and elegant. Pineapple and sweet oak. Very moreish.
Price: $429 (Limited to one bottle per person)
What People Are Saying
1984 Grande Champagne Cognac
“I'm not sure you would guess this is 36. Absolutely stunning; if it was malt whisky, it would be an ex-hogshead Rosebank 20 yo.”
91 points
— Serge Valentin, WhiskyFun
1957 Fins Bois Cognac
“A very well-made, complex and delicious Cognac.”
93 points
1984 Grande Champagne Cognac
”Far from simple and absolutely delicious. A great contrast to the 1957.”
91 points
— Martin Eber, Time for Whisky
1957 Fins Bois Cognac
“High score because it's fantastic, not because it's very old. And not because the figure '63' would remind some of us of some good AMGs (make sense of that if you can). If it was malt whisky, it would be an old closed Distillery. Say Coleburn. Or there, Glenlochy. “
91 points.
— Serge Valentin, WhiskyFun
1984
Grande Champagne Cognac, 36 years old, Jean-Luc Pasquet
Distilled 1984 • Aged 36 years in barrel • Bottled 09/03/2021 • Cask Strength 53.8% • Grande Champagne Cognac • 500ml • Limited to 168 bottles
In the early 1970s, Claude took over 15 hectares of vineyards from his father. Along with his wife, Arlette, they cared for their vines, distilled in their pot still, and laid barrels to mature in their cellar. A little more than a decade later they produced this Grande Champagne cognac using traditional methods passed down to them. They continued tradition by handing down their know-how and love for their craft to the next generation.
Today, their grandchildren, Laura and Adrien, are fourth generation caring for the vines in Angeac-Champagne. They continue to craft cognac and care for stock in their cellar laid by their ancestors.
Nose: An array of berries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, rose petals, spearmint leaves lollies, mandarin and complimentary oak.
Taste: Enormous flavour explosion. Cotton candy, banana bread, spearmint leaves lollies, muscovado sugar, strawberries, raspberries, icing sugar, strawberries and cream lollies.
Finish: Long and rich. Sweet baking spices such as cinnamon, icing sugar, strawberries and cream lollies.
Price: $229
Pedro Ximenez Sherry
Jerez, Spain • 17% vol • 500ml • Limited to only 51 bottles
This intensely dark sherry from Jerez, Spain, was previously used to season two very special casks in our cellar post its initial maturation in Jerez. Initially a fresh American oak ex-bourbon cask, followed by a European oak ex-port cask. This extra time in various casks has added additional layers of flavour and complexity. We were initially planning to keep this for ourselves because it really is sublime but it’s too good not to share.
Nose: Sweet figs, raisins, autumn leaves, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey and some oak.
Taste: Buttered popcorn, medjool dates, fresh and dried figs, sultanas, cinnamon, Christmas cake, and thick chocolate syrup.
Finish: Long-lingering. Bitter chocolate, coffee syrup with some cinnamon spice and molasses.
Price: $39
