Hennessy Master Blenders No.5

Master Blenders No.5 is a cognac released under the Hennessy name. The listing gives no age designation (VS, VSOP or XO), no ABV and no tasting notes, so what follows is what to expect from a cognac of this type, not a measured profile of this bottle. Cognac is a grape brandy distilled from white wine and aged in oak, usually bottled at around 40% ABV. Expect dried fruit, orange peel, vanilla and light baking spice, with oak providing structure underneath. Check the label for the age statement, since it shapes the style: younger blends are brighter and more fruit-forward, and older ones lean toward dried apricot, nuts and leather. For sipping, a tulip-shaped glass or a modest snifter works well. Fill it only to the widest point of the bowl, so the aroma gathers above the liquid. Serve at cool room temperature, roughly 18 to 21°C. Cupping the glass for a minute warms it slightly and opens up the fruit. Chilling or adding ice mutes the aromatics, so keep ice for the cocktails. A few drops of room-temperature water can loosen a tight, spirity nose. Cognac sits well beside dark chocolate, roasted almonds, aged hard cheeses and a ripe pear or fig. In cocktails, cognac suits drinks where the base spirit carries the flavor. A Sidecar (typically cognac, orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice, shaken hard and strained into a chilled coupe) shows off its fruit and rounder texture. A Brandy Alexander (cognac, dark crème de cacao and cream, shaken or blended, with grated nutmeg on top) is a dessert-style drink where a smooth blend is an advantage. A Sazerac made with cognac, or a split base with rye, uses a sugar cube, Peychaud's bitters and an absinthe-rinsed glass, and it is stirred over ice and served without any. In all three, a blend with enough oak and fruit stays audible through the citrus, sugar or cream. Store the bottle upright, away from heat and direct light. Once opened, it keeps its character well for months if the cap is sealed tightly.