Cognac Davidoff Classic Review

Cognac Davidoff Classic
High Falutin' Brandy Imported from France
80 Proof (40% ABV)
Typical Price: Around $50
Davidoff at Le-Cognac.com

We're the first ones to admit we don't drink a lot of cognac. After all, we're not Uncle Pennybags or The Ladies Manright? Even so, we had a good time taste testing Davidoff Cognac...not to get too low-brow, don't be afraid of the 'gnac. The interns had a grand old time putting their pinkies up and giving it a swish, and everyone had positive things to say, which wasn't a big surprise.

Of course, that could be due to the fact that Davidoff is blended and bottled by another little name in Cognac - Hennessy. That's right, Zino Davidoff, already a big name in cigars and tobacco, put his head together with the folks at Hennessy to develop his product. Not a bad place to start, from everything we've heard. Read on for our notes about the fruits of their labor.

The Look:
The Cognac itself has a beautiful dark amber color; much darker than we expected. The bottle is sleek and elegant, and has a simple design that reeks of class without trying too hard.

The Nose:
Our first whiff brought out a strong vanilla scent, followed by an oakiness from the barrels it was aged in. There were other notes in there we couldn't quite place; Le Cognac says those aromas "evoke forest undergrowth and old roses," and we guess we'll have to take their word for it.

The Taste:
The taste was similar to the bouquet, with vanilla, oak, and honey all at the forefront. There was a little more heat to it than we expected, but it definitely brought a little bit of fire to the proceedings. The mouth feel was rich and chewy without being oily, and left a nice coating in our mouths. The flavor stayed in our mouths for a long time after the first taste, which was very pleasant.

The Verdict:
This might not be the kind of stuff you just bop out to the liquor to pick up, especially considering the price tag, but it would make a nice gift for the gentleman (or Cognac-appreciating lady) in your life. We're definitely going to enjoy what's left of our bottle (and it isn't much) over the course of the holidays, because it will be a great way to wind down after rich food and good times. We can definitely see how the strong flavors would match up well with a good cigar, and we plan to give that a try as well.

This one's definitely one to try if you're interested in impressing your friends with a brand of Cognac they've never heard of before, you classy bastard.

December 13, 2006

Cognac Davidoff Classic Review