Martell VS Single Distillery (70cl, 40%)

Martell VS Single Distillery is a VS Cognac whose eaux-de-vie come from a single distillery in the Cognac region of France. Martell uses only clear wines with sediments removed before double distillation, to preserve fruit aromas. Plum, apricot and candied lemon are prominent, and the Cognac is bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. The nose shows plum, apricot, candied lemon, caramel, crème brûlée, vanilla, dried apricots, plum compote, roasted Brazil nuts, violet, jasmine, nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate is smooth and fruity, with caramel and vanilla fudge giving way to a drier impression of lively lemon and oak with cinnamon and nutmeg, plus chocolate cake, nutty fruitcake and dried apricots. The finish leaves biscuit, green grapes, Brazil nuts, dried fruits, caramel and lively lemon, with nutmeg and cinnamon and a clearly dry ending.