Germain-Robin XO Brandy (75cl, 45.5%)

Germain-Robin XO is a California pot-still brandy from the Germain-Robin distillery in Mendocino County, bottled at 45.5% in a 75cl bottle. It is distilled in a Charentais copper pot still from a blend of roughly 70% Pinot Noir, with Colombard and Sémillon making up the rest. Pinot Noir in place of the Ugni Blanc common in Cognac gives it a darker, more fruit-saturated character. On the nose are fig, damson plum and baked black grapes, with poached pear, brown butter and a hint of cigar box. The palate is rich and sticky with dried cherry and plum, moving to dark chocolate, walnut and honey, with pink peppercorn and ginger for spice. The finish is long and warming, with cinnamon, leather and burnt sugar, lifted by citrus zest.