It’s been HOW long since the WhiskyNerds last released something? Right, well over a year. And let’s be fair here, that’s more than fine. I’d rather an independent bottler, especially the small boutique ones, only bottle something they really like, not just because they have to.
However, for one time only, the WhiskyNerds have become the CognacNerds, releasing a 30-year-old French brandy distilled in the Cognac region. They can’t call it a cognac officially, since it was transferred to Scotland, has matured there for a number of years and was then bottled there as well.
It’s what is sometimes referred to as Early Landed, Late Bottled. Since I had another one of those types of spirits on hand, I figured I would give the WhiskyNerds CognacNerds release a sparring partner. Let’s see how it holds up to a similar release from the Thompson Bros from a few years ago. Same vintage, but bottled slightly earlier.

Early Landed, Late Bottled 1993 27 Years (51.9%, Thompson Bros, 155 bts.)
Nose: Quite rustic, almost Armagnac-like. Big notes of mocha, cappuccino and other coffee related aromas. Slivers of cigar boxes and tobacco, but also some gentler chocolate notes, soy sauce and mushrooms. Only a sliver of plums, raisins and dates in the background.
Taste: Somewhat dry and not subtle in the slightest. Hints of nougat, black tea leaves and tinned peaches, but also some burnt toast, aniseed, menthol and liquorice root. Maybe some plums, but definitely dark chocolate and resin.
Finish: Long. Lots of mentholated notes, as well as chocolate, juniper and tobacco leaf.

French Brandy ‘Grande Champagne’ 1993 30 Years (46.3%, WhiskyNerds, 159 bts.)
Nose: Jammy fruits such as dates, figs and prunes. There’s also a tinge of crème de cassis, tobacco leaves and a mixture of herbaceous, aniseed-y notes. Oh, and raisins are never far away, while a soft note of zesty orange peel brings some freshness. There’s also slivers of toast, cappuccino and leather.
Taste: Lots of dark, bitter chocolate, certainly some leather, and a sliver of mushrooms. Quite dry also, but not so much that it becomes an issue. Then a tinge of earthy angelica root, some cloves and strong breakfast tea, as well as more aniseed/fennel notes. Stone fruits are in the minority, but present.
Finish: Medium to long. A good amount of teak, some chocolate and cigar boxes, but also a gentle syrupy sweetness.
Photos: Passionforwhisky.com