Tesserson Cognac Lot53

Tesserson Cognac Lot53 is a cognac from Esplanda. The product details give no age grade (VS, VSOP or XO), ABV, cru or tasting profile, so what follows describes how cognac of this kind usually behaves in the glass. It is not a measured profile of this bottle. Check the label for the age statement before choosing how to serve it. Cognac is a grape brandy that is double-distilled in copper pot stills and aged in oak. Expect dried apricot, orange peel, vanilla and light baking spice on the nose. Younger grades such as VS tend to taste fruitier and brighter. VSOP and XO usually bring more toasted oak, dried fruit, nuts and leather, and the finish gets longer and softer. If the label shows a higher grade, sip it. If it shows VS, it is a good choice for mixing. To sip it neat, use a tulip-shaped glass or a small snifter. Pour about 30 to 45 ml, which leaves room to swirl and gather the aroma. Serve it at cool room temperature, around 16 to 20°C. Chilling it mutes the fruit and oak, and warming the glass in your hands will open it up slowly. A few drops of room-temperature water can release more aroma if the spirit feels tight. Dark chocolate, roasted almonds, aged hard cheese and dried figs go well with it. For cocktails, the Sidecar is the classic use. Shake 50 ml cognac, 20 ml orange liqueur and 20 ml fresh lemon juice with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. A sugared rim is optional. A Brandy Alexander uses equal parts cognac, dark crème de cacao and cream, shaken hard and finished with grated nutmeg. The cream and chocolate suit a younger, fruitier cognac better than an older one. A cognac Sazerac follows the usual method. Rinse a chilled glass with absinthe, stir cognac with a sugar cube and Peychaud's bitters over ice, then strain it into the glass and express a lemon peel over the top. This drink is served without ice and stays cold from the stirring. Store the bottle upright, away from heat and direct light. Once opened, keep the cap tight, and the flavor will stay stable for months.