Vsop
Alc. 40%
Bottle:
I received a flat square mickey with a royal blue label. Crested with a honey bee.
Nose:
Leaves something to be desired, light breezes wafting out, but I find this could use a bit more chunkiness to the nose. dust, leather and dry tobacco. Slight sourness and fresh sawn oak.
Palate:
Dusty and dry, with pulling tannins and white pepper. first sip is a little discouraging, but the second sip delivers tropical notes, backed with fresh oak and sandalwood.
Finish:
The finish is 10 minutes long and rich with orange blossom honey drenching sultanas. Lily pedals. Elegant and enthralling, drawing for another sip. The lingering aftertaste is this bottles greatest strength.
Overall:
A somewhat challenging sip, the fortitude lies in mixing. Simple, a little hot and just borders the sip/mix margin. Worth a buy for a first time cognac explorer.
The blend ranges from 4 – 7 years of age.
Score: 86
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xo
Alc. 40%
Bottle:
Flat octangular cologne bottle. The label is a basic white bordered with cream. The honey bee sits in a royal blue crest. Bottles of all sizes are topped with cork. Nice touch.
Nose:
Wonderful ,rich and warming sweet wine and syrupy oak smell. Succulent. Full bloomed flowers, honey and subtle orange peels. The aromas are gushing out of the glass. Slight banana, followed by peaches, apricot and raisin. Leather is evident, although the fruit leads.
Palate:
Black pepper cracked on canned peaches and honey. Marmalade and jammy golden fruits. Walnut skin and tobacco leaf.
Finish:
Tannic leather and syrup. Pecans and soft tender fruit. Long, sensual finish, packed with red raisins and prunes. Sips like velvet.
Overall:
A pleasure to sip. Great for special occasions and sharing. Well balanced and well crafted. A must buy for xo lovers.
Score: 96
The blend is made up of over 100 eau de vie ranging from 15 – 30 years of age. Impressive.
Please note:
Louis royer utilizes mostly ugni blanc grapes grown from a variety of French crus, not just focusing on the champagne crus. They do, however own a vineyard in the grand champagne cru.
The Louis royer house owns two separate distilleries, which they do use for their production, although they find the demand requires them to mostly purchase wine, or eau de vie and age and blend themselves.
Limousine oak is employed for aging, and the Louis royer house uses virgin and used barrels in aging their cognac.
The Louis royer house has been around for six generations as of 2014. It was founded after Louis royer himself left the delemain house and decided to work for himself. The Louis house was founded in 1853.
The bee insignia found on every bottle held much symbolism for the founder, Louis royer. He was inspired by the gumption and the team work held by every bee. Every bee worked together in commitment to create elegant nectar. Also, inside the rickhouse, where the barrels are stacked, it resembles a bit of a bee hive.
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