Bourgoin Cognac XO Eau-de-Mer (70cl, 43%)

Bourgoin Cognac XO Eau-de-Mer is a cognac from the family estate Bourgoin in Saint-Saturnin, Charente. A small amount of drinkable seawater is used during reduction to bring it to 43% ABV, distinguishing it from bottlings whose maritime character is only a flavour impression. It comes from Ugni Blanc of the 2012 vintage, with vinification, distillation and ageing carried out on the estate. The cognac is neither filtered nor coloured. Its caramel notes meet salty and fruity impressions, while an increasingly dry structure on the palate provides a counterpoint. The estate has existed since 1933; Frédéric Bourgoin connects the estate's own winegrowing with processing the grapes through to the finished cognac, keeping vintages, parcels and casks separate. Nose: soft caramel with salty, maritime notes. Palate: fruity impressions meet pronounced saltiness, then the structure turns dry. Finish: salty notes and restrained sweetness remain in the long finish.