Cîroc VS French Brandy (75cl, 40%)

Cîroc VS is a French brandy made at Maison Villevert in Charente-Maritime, in south-western France. It is labelled French brandy rather than cognac, which allows the blend to draw on eaux-de-vie from across the country. The blend includes brandies distilled in traditional copper alembic pot stills, matured in French oak barrels. It comes from a brand whose vodka is distilled from French grapes, and the brandy followed in 2018. There is vanilla, caramel and oak on the nose. The palate is smooth and slightly sweet with fruit, and the finish is a lingering one of caramel and vanilla touched with fruit.