For once on More Drams Less Drama, today features a single dram: Jean‑Luc Pasquet’s Le Cognac de Charles, part of the house’s Trésors de Famille range. This cognac traces its roots to the Petite Champagne cru and tells the story of Charles Leroux, whose family left Normandy in 1960 to start anew in Charente. Charles and Monique Leroux took over the family estate in 1975, revived their small still, and pioneered organic viticulture by 1985 – long before it became fashionable. I won’t paraphrase all their history, for that it is best to let you read the story on Jean-Luc Pasquet’s website. I really encourage you to read it.
Jean-Luc Pasquet Le Cognac de Charles L.98 Petite Champagne (2025) Review
Jean-Luc Pasquet’s Le Cognac de Charles was distilled in 1998 from Ugni Blanc grapes grown in the Petite Champagne cru, this cognac aged for over 25 years in new Limousin oak casks with a heavy toast. It was bottled at natural strength (52.7% ABV) on the 16th of July 2025, with only 648 bottles produced. Certified organic (FR‑BIO‑10), it comes, as I said above, from the vineyards of Charles and Monique Leroux, early pioneers of organic viticulture in Charente. This Cognac de Charles is still easily available, just under €100, on Jean-Luc Pasquet’s website or Cognac-Expert, for instance.
Colour:
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens on ripe fruits – peach and mango – enveloped in elegant lacquered wood. Warm spices emerge, with turmeric and cumin joined by dried herbs reminiscent of herbes de Provence and a touch of oregano. There are also vanilla and a light nuttiness from macadamia.
With water: The nose shifts towards dusty old wood and faint pepper, though the intensity and clarity of the aromas noticeably reduce after dilution.
Palate:
Neat: The palate begins with slight astringency and a firm grip of black pepper. The fruit returns quickly, with apricot, peach, and prune leading the way, balanced by cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of forest honey. Almonds and liquorice round the palate with a subtle earthy sweetness.
With water: If the nose wasn’t enhanced by reduction, the palate gains richness and dimension. The mouthfeel turns syrupy and sumptuous, intensifying the earlier notes – more pepper and heat reminiscent of Tabasco, joined by toasted oak, dried apricots, nutmeg, and grated liquorice root.
Finish:
The finish lingers warmly on pepper and seasoned oak. Lacquered wood and dry spices dominate, the fruit now subdued, while the lingering peppery warmth seems to carry on indefinitely.
Comments:
I waited for this cognac as soon as I heard from it and tried a pre-version of it back in February during my visit to the Jean-Luc Pasquet estate, as this cognac shares its name with my son. I obviously bought a bottle less than an hour after Amy Pasquet published its availability on their Instagram. A few weeks later, knowing the story this cognac has for me, she gave me a sample during Whisky Live Paris. The moment I nosed this cognac for the review, I immediately regretted not buying a second bottle. I plan to keep the full one sealed until my son turns eighteen to open and enjoy it with him – but for now, I have only a sample to savour. But… after finishing these notes and checking its availability, though, I’ll correct that mistake. This cognac is simply outstanding – and at under €100, a remarkable value.