Courvoisier Extra Vieille 40% abv.

1970’s - 1980’s bottling

My new collection.

My new bottle:

Deux Famille "Single Cask" Grand Champagne

51% abv.

72 year old.

Cognac Lafite Reserve

I have a feeling that I overpaid. They are overpriced as all Lafites are.

Reserve is comparable to VSOP. Of course, I don't know what you've paid.
But I guess it didn't taste as good as you had hoped?

Ton schreef: za 24 mei 2025, 12:48 Reserve is comparable to VSOP. Of course, I don't know what you've paid.
But I guess it didn't taste as good as you had hoped?

Oh no In that case it’s worth more unopened as a gift to someone later. I am glad I hadn’t opened it. Thanks Ton. You’ve saved me from a huge disappointment. There were no information on the ‘Reserve’ bottle as with the ‘Vieille Reserve’. I should know better than to spend $600 on a Lafite cognac even for the higher level one. Their brand premium is way too high.

Vieille Réserve and Très Vieille Réserve can be very old.
As you probably know, these are general guidelines. By Law Vieille Réserve and Très Vieille Réserve are compte 6, so guaranteed to be aged 6 years or more. Usually these are blends with much older cognacs.
Réserve is compte 4, guaranteed to have aged 4 years, so comparable to VSOP.
That said, it is possible to have a really good blend, made from very old cognacs, and call it Réserve, because there is also some young cognac in the blend. But that would be unusual and marketing wise not very sensible.
Are you in the possession of the Paczensky book 'Cognac'?

I don’t have that book Ton. I will look into getting one.

Let’s just hope that Lafite’s reputation precedes itself. They should include in the bottle cognacs that far exceeds the minimum requirements. Too bad it’s a much lesser consumed product compared to their wines; therefore, not too much is talked about pertaining to the Reserve at least.

Fuzhou schreef: za 24 mei 2025, 07:54 Cognac Lafite Reserve

I have a feeling that I overpaid. They are overpriced as all Lafites are.

Yep, the armagnac also is also underwhelming for the price (in my opinion)

easmits schreef: ma 26 mei 2025, 22:35

Fuzhou schreef: za 24 mei 2025, 07:54 Cognac Lafite Reserve

I have a feeling that I overpaid. They are overpriced as all Lafites are.

Yep, the armagnac also is also underwhelming for the price (in my opinion)

Yikes. Seems like we should stick to cognac made by cognac makers.

Courvoisier XO with a small gift bottle Exclusif.

Perhaps I am going a little too safe this time