We’re back to Cognac with a pair of old Fins Bois cognacs. The particularity of the Fins Bois terroir in Cognac lies in its diverse soil composition, maritime climate, and its position as the largest and most prolific cru in the Cognac region. The soils in Fins Bois range from red, iron-rich rocky soils to heavy clay, chalk, and limestone patches. This diversity contributes to a wide variety of eaux-de-vie with marked fruity and floral aromas, often described as having a fresh, grape-forward character reminiscent of freshly pressed grapes and fruit blossoms. In our glass today are a Guynot Elégance and a Bégaud Instant Rare, two Fins Bois cognacs.
Domaine de Château Guynot Elégance N°45 Fins Bois Cognac Review
The Domaine de Château Guynot lies between Saintes, a Gallic-Roman village, and Royan. The Marquis de Monconseil once lived there. The estate still features its eighteenth-century cooling room, located in the centre of a wooded park. They cultivate Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes in one of the four main Cognac terroirs to produce their high-quality Cognac bottles.
The Château Guynot Elégance is a 45-year-old Fins Bois cognac, bottled at natural cask strength (40%), with no added colour. Around €200 a bottle.
Colour:
Mahogany.
Nose:
Neat: stewed apricots, old leather, vanilla, honey, soft spices and a light touch of wood. The nose is not very intense and might need a bit of time to open up more. After some time, some plum and apricot fruit jellies, with crystallised sugar on them.
Palate:
Neat: The palate starts with a velvety mouthfeel, really ruffling your tongue. Butterscotch, blood oranges, nectarines and mandarines, with toasted wood, vanilla, honey and with some soft spices again (curcuma and saffron, a pinch of pepper). The wood is on the back seat, with a very light touch of rancio, but just there to underline the other flavours.
Finish:
Spices, honey and vanilla take the lead on the finish, with the fruitiness almost nonexistent here. Instead, some floral notes develop and linger for a finish that tricks you: the first flavours listed here fade quickly but the floral notes linger for way longer.
Comments:
The name of this Château Guynot is well deserved, as this Elégance cognac really is that: elegant. Despite the nose being a little shy, it stays lovely and enticing, whilst the palate’s velvety mouthfeel and flavours make you reach for your glass as you desire another sip. Really nice.
Rating: 7/10
Bégaud Instant Rare Fins Bois Cognac Review
Cognac Bégaud traces its roots back to 1756, embodying a rich heritage. After a significant transformation following the First World War, the family has handed down its expertise in vine cultivation and double distillation through generations – from Gabriel Bégaud to his daughter Mathilde. Today, the brand stands out for its artisanal techniques and unique character, blending centuries-old traditions such as wood-fired distillation with a sophisticated modern approach to crafting Cognac. I invite you to go read the very interesting visit recap from the chaps at Cognac-Expert, with an interview of Mathilde Bégaud, it really is worth a read.
The Bégaud Instant Rare Fins Bois Cognac is made exclusively from 100% Ugni Blanc grapes grown in the Fins Bois region. The cognac ages for more than 40 years in old oak, and is bottled at 40% ABV in an old-looking bottle, reminiscent of bottles of Cognac from the 1980s. Around €140 a bottle.
Colour:
Clay.
Nose:
Neat: Milk chocolate, menthol, fennel, and some rancio, characterised by marzipan, a bit of jasmine, hints of lychee and eucalyptus.
Palate:
Neat: Lots of caramel, with a very light astringency. The caramel darkens and concentrates as you keep this cognac in your mouth. There are hints of dark cherries, a few spices, some leather and dark chocolate, with the mouthfeel starting thin but thickening over time in the mouth to become a bit oily. Some brown sugar and hints of blood oranges and nougat.
Finish:
Pepper appears as the finish… starts, with lychees and cherries, some freshly tanned leather and cigar leaves. Medium-short length.
Comments:
I’m not sure, if tasted blind, that I would have placed this Bégaud Instant Rare cognac in the Fins Bois cru, as it is in my mind usually fruitier, and with brighter fruits (understand orchard/citrus/tropical). This Bégaud is, thus, bringing something different on that part, and it allows me to expand my comprehension and knowledge of Cognac, its crus, and their characteristics. I have to remind myself that I am still very new to Cognac, to be honest, getting that deeper interest only a few months ago. Now, back to this Bégaud, I have to say I liked it, and despite being quite different from the Guynot reviewed above, another interesting Fins Bois Cognac with something different brought to the table.