Dusse VSOP Cognac

D'USSÉ VSOP is a Cognac from the Cognac region of France, bottled at 40% ABV. It is made by Baron Otard, the house based at the Château de Cognac on the Charente river. D'USSÉ itself is a newer label, created with the American palate in mind. The VSOP blends eaux-de-vie aged between four and eight years. That age range sits above the two-year minimum for VSOP, and the intent is a bottle that works both on its own and in mixed drinks. The brand doesn't publish a detailed flavor profile in the information provided, so treat the following as what VSOP Cognacs of this age typically offer. Expect dried apricot and baked pear, vanilla and light toasted oak from the cask, and a touch of honey or caramel, with a rounded, softly spiced finish. Because the youngest component is four years old, the spirit should lean fruitier and fresher than the heavy leather-and-tobacco character of much older bottlings. For sipping, pour about 1.5 to 2 ounces into a tulip-shaped glass or a small snifter. Serve it at cool room temperature, roughly 16 to 20°C. A cold glass or ice tends to mute the aromatics. If the spirit feels tight, a few drops of water or a minute of resting in the glass will open it up. A single large cube is a fair compromise for anyone who wants it chilled. In cocktails, a VSOP at this ABV is a good fit for the classics. A Sidecar, built from Cognac, orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice, shows off the fruit without needing a pricier bottle. In a Brandy Alexander, with crème de cacao and cream, the vanilla and caramel tones hold up against the dairy. A Cognac Sazerac, with a rinse of absinthe, a sugar cube and Peychaud's bitters, benefits from the spirit's moderate oak and spice. For food, expect it to pair well with dark chocolate, roasted nuts, aged hard cheeses and baked stone fruit desserts.