Jean and Amy Pasquet have a unique approach in the world of cognac. Beyond bottling cognacs from other producers under their Trésors de Famille label, they make their own organic cognac range known as L’Organic. This core range features four distinct expressions. Three of these highlight different age statements, specifically 4, 7, and 10 years, while the fourth focuses on the grape variety, known as L’Organic Folle Blanche. Today, our attention is on the first three, including two variations of the 4-year-old, as we explore the Cognac Pasquet L’Organic 04, 07, and 10.
Jean-Luc Pasquet L’Organic 04 Grande Champagne Cognac (2023) Review
Initially, the L’Organic range was crafted exclusively from Grande Champagne cognac, sourced from their own vineyards. The original expression, Jean-Luc Pasquet L’Organic 04 Grande Champagne, was aged for a minimum of four years, though their cognacs sometimes exceed the stated age, as we’ll discover later. It was bottled at 40% ABV. This particular VS cognac has been discontinued and was priced around €45. You might still find it at some retailers and off licenses.
Colour:
Deep gold.
Nose:
Neat: The nose presents notes of apples and grape marc, accompanied by hints of orange zest and a subtle grassy aroma. There is a touch of wood, though the overall nose is somewhat restrained.
Palate:
Neat: At 40% ABV, the mouthfeel offers a light texture, yet it does not come across as thin. Flavours of green apples and herbal tea are evident, complemented by nuances of virgin oak. There are also traces of grapefruit and lemon peels, along with a hint of dark chocolate.
Finish:
The finish reveals notes of chocolate, green tea, and grapes, with a slight woody undertone. It is of medium to short length.
Comments:
This is quite enjoyable, especially considering its youth. The wood influence is somewhat pronounced, and it would certainly benefit from additional ageing to smooth out the profile. However, I am confident it would perform well in cognac-based cocktails.
Rating: 5.5/10
Jean-Luc Pasquet L’Organic 04 Fine Champagne Cognac (2024) Review
Jean and Amy Pasquet distilled this L’Organic 04 Fine Champagne in 2018 and bottled it in 2024. It is a Fine Champagne cognac, which, by Cognac rules, is a blend of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with Grande Champagne making up at least 51% of the blend. In this L’Organic 04 case, it consists of 75% Grande Champagne and 25% Petite Champagne, made from 100% organic Ugni Blanc grapes. This expression replaces the discontinued 04 Grande Champagne. Until 2018, they had only Grande Champagne vines, but now that they also have some Petite Champagne, they have moved to a Fine Champagne cognac. They bottled it at 40% ABV, without adding any colour or any other additive. It retails for the same price as the previous one, around €45 a bottle.
Colour:
Old gold.
Nose:
Neat: When sampled neat, it closely resembles the 04 GC, with prominent notes of apples and grape marc, along with orange zest and a subtle grassy aroma. Over time, hints of mangoes and papayas emerge, adding a slightly higher intensity to the overall profile.
Palate:
Neat: The palate also mirrors that of the 04 GC, but introduces touches of tropical fruits and a hint of bitter herbal tea.
Finish:
The finish is marked by lingering wood notes, accompanied by apples and grapes, with a touch of herbal bitterness. It is of medium length.
Comments:
This L’Organic expression is a commendable addition to Pasquet’s range. Its youthful character is evident, suggesting it might be intended for mixing, yet it holds its own when enjoyed neat. Likely matured predominantly in active, possibly virgin, wood, it understandably lacks some of the refinement that comes with extended ageing. However, I find it more appealing than the original Grande Champagne, as the nose offers a bit more intensity and introduces hints of tropical fruits.
Rating: 6/10
Jean-Luc Pasquet L’Organic 07 Grande Champagne (2024) Review
The Cognac Pasquet L’Organic 07 is a VSOP cognac, although it does not explicitly display this category. Distilled from the 2015 and 2016 harvests, it was bottled in 2024. This expression is made exclusively from Grande Champagne Organic Ugni Blanc grapes. Like its younger counterpart, it is bottled at 40% ABV without any additives. It is priced at approximately €60 per bottle.
Colour:
Russet
Nose:
Neat: The nose is somewhat shy but reveals hints of pineapple, peach, and pear, along with subtle floral notes.
Palate:
Neat: The presence of oak is quite noticeable, accompanied by hints of white fruits that struggle to come to the forefront. There are notes of herbal liqueur and a touch of spice, contributing to a somewhat bitter profile. It also exhibits a nuttiness, with elements of walnut husks, almonds, and hazelnuts.
Finish:
The finish is characterised by lingering nuttiness, complemented by hints of grapefruit and herbal tea.
Comments:
I wonder if the reduction process is causing these cognacs to feel somewhat weighed down by herbaceous and bitter notes, which might not complement the new Limousin oak used in the maturation process particularly well. Once again, it is not a poor cognac, but it does lack some of the fruitiness and brightness I think it would need to truly stand out.
Rating: 6/10
Jean-Luc Pasquet L’Organic 10 Grande Champagne (2024) Review
Last in today’s lineup, the Cognac Pasquet L’Organic 10 is a Grande Champagne cognac that would qualify for the XO appellation, having been aged for at least 10 years. Distilled from the 2012 and 2013 harvests, it was bottled in 2024 at 40% ABV, with no additives – consistent with the rest of the range. Despite the three extra years of ageing, the price remains reasonable, retailing at just €79 per bottle.
Colour:
Russet.
Nose:
Neat: The nose presents hints of Werther‘’’s Original, tobacco, oranges, and pears, accompanied by subtle floral notes and a touch of forest honey.
Palate:
Neat: The mouthfeel is slightly syrupy, featuring flavours of dark honey infused with orange peel and various citrus notes. It also exhibits a floral character on the palate, with hints of lavender oil, along with traces of chocolate and tobacco.
Finish:
The finish introduces some spice notes, with the lavender gently lingering without developing into soapy tones. There are also notes of chocolate accompanied by a strong mint presence.
Comments:
This expression represents a clear improvement over the younger releases, featuring a surprising and well-integrated lavender note that I did not anticipate. The L’Organic series has a distinct character, and there is no mistaking that these cognacs share the same lineage. In this case, the extra-ageing – while not always a guarantee – truly enhances the quality.
Rating: 6.5/10
Review made from miniatures bought at the distillery during a visit. This blog post feels a bit harsh despite the fact that I love Jean-Luc Pasquet cognac, but remember than a 6 for instance is good, above average cognac. We’ll get back to them with some Trésors de Famille in the coming weeks.