Looking forward to the second dram of the 2025 Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, we encounter the Egreteau Father’s Blend, continuing what has proven to be an exceptional series this year. Now, Egreteau needs little introduction – we’ve already explored the house in detail – but it’s worth recalling that we were genuinely convinced by the two Egreteau Fragments we reviewed back in May 2025. With that foundation of quality in mind, let’s discover what the Father’s Blend brings to the table.
Egreteau Father’s Blend (2018) Review
Ludovic Egreteau’s father first created this blend by selecting Fins Bois eaux-de-vie distilled without the lees. Then, Ludovic Edgreteau returned them to oak barrels for a further 20 years to encourage harmony and depth. After reaching 35 years of age, this blend was bottled at 40% ABV, with a limited run of 782 bottles (500 ml each). This cognac matured in a damp cellar, received no added colouring, and remains available for around €70 per bottle, at Cognac-Expert for instance.
Colour:
Burnished.
Nose:
Neat: The aroma opens with a rich tapestry of dried fruits (apricots, oranges, mangoes), liquorice, and a touch of leather. Hints of candied orange zest and delicate floral undertones emerge as the Cognac breathes. In the background is a layer of roasted hazelnuts and almonds, with a touch of copper.
Palate:
Neat: The palate starts with candied orange peels, hints of pickled ginger slices and toasted oak. Apple caramel and sour Granny Smith apples bring some lovely tartness, whilst the oak provides a touch of bitterness and spices. There is some rancio developing, with curry, tobacco, walnuts, cedar and leather. The mouthfeel is a tad thin but still velvety.
Finish:
Warm, with spices and dried citrus fruits, old oak and nuts (hazelnuts and walnuts).
Comments:
This Egreteau Father’s Blend is a superb cognac, with a nose to die for. On the other hand, the palate, despite being really good, struggles to reach as high a level as the nose. This might be because of the reduction to 40% ABV, which, in my humble opinion, did a disservice to both the intensity of flavours and the mouthfeel. However, at about €70 a bottle, this stays excellent value, and it’s still a very good cognac.
Rating: 7/10
Advent calendar provided by Cognac-Expert.