Martell Blue Swift Cognac, 70cl

Great product

Great product highly recommended

Perfect and taste good

Bought as a gift, great cognac

The first thing I noticed was the phrase "spirit drink" on the front label. This sounds a bit like the phrase "juice drink" which is legally required to be on fruit juice which has various additives. So that made me wonder what had been added to this.According to Wikipedia:In accordance with the regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 17, 2019, a spirit drink is an alcoholic beverage that has been produced:either directly by using, individually or in combination, any of the following methods:- distillation, with or without added flavorings or flavoring foodstuffs, of fermented products;- maceration or similar processing of plant materials in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of - agricultural origin or spirit drinks or a combination thereof;- addition, individually or in combination, to ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin, or spirit drinks of flavorings, colors, other authorized ingredients, sweetening products, other agricultural products, and foodstuffs.or by adding, individually or in combination, to it any of the following:- other spirit drinks;- ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin;- distillates of agricultural origin;- other foodstuffs.If it's the maturing in bourbon barrels which requires this labelling, this seems quite harsh. I've never seen this on any bottles of whisky for example where maturing in barrels previously used for bourbon or other spirits is a common practice (yes I know we're not no the EU any more, but in order to export to the EU they would surely have to include it).This has a sweeter, caramel and vanilla element to it on the palate than I have found with most other brandy I've tried, though it develops into a more familiar warming and fiery quality from the alcohol on the finish. A nice option for those who want to go a little more upmarket without paying silly money.

Very nice cognac. Well presented, Nice aroma and very easy to drink! Lovely taste. Happy and recommended to others.

Martell VSOP finished in bourbon. Possibly I've led a sheltered life, but VSOP aged in bourbon is a new one on me, and an interesting twist, given the number of Scotch & Irish whisk[e]y producers who have taken to aging or finishing their product in barrels from different spirits, wines, fortified wines etc. Ex-bourbon barrels have of course been the popular option for decades there, but for some reason it never occurred to me to wonder what this process might do to a cognac.Interesting things, is the short answer to that one. Supplied in a typical, quality Martell squat bottle with a broad, quality cork, elegant embossed swift, and minimal labelling, the presentation is reassuringly familiar. Opening, and pouring into a balloon glass gives the classic Martell VSOP scent, overlaid with a subtle, but distinct sweet, slightly smokey, woody notes from the bourbon finishing. Rather intriguing. The colour is largely unchanged; rich molten copper and gold, with good clarity.Tasting is equally interesting. It's a classic Martell of course, bottled at the usual 40%ABV, with the smooth fruit notes you would expect, medium-bodied, with plenty of depth. But the finishing has changed the profile a little too. There are, as suggested, some hints at tropical notes bought out beyond the usual balance of citrus, orchard notes and hint of liquorice, with some candied ginger and cinnamon. Sweet spice, oak, and a gentle wisp of smoke, or smoked oak as on the arrival and lasting slightly on the tongue as it develops -classic quality bourbon in fact, gently fading in the long finish. Martell then, in the main, but with a genuinely interesting and distinctive bourbon twist. Very impressive indeed, one of the best cognacs I've tried for a long time, and highly recommended.

About the flavour - they say first impressions last, and the initial tasting didn't disappoint. It's an audacious blend of VSOP cognac, which is then finished in bourbon barrels. This step gives it an extra depth that's tough to come by. If you're used to the classic cognac profile, the touch of bourbon might come as a pleasant surprise, breathing new life into a beloved spirit.The first wave of taste that hits you is a fruitiness, reminiscent of candied fruit, mingled with distinct notes of vanilla. It's like biting into a ripe pear drizzled with a rich, velvety vanilla sauce. Following closely is the spiciness of ginger that kicks up the flavour a notch.But the journey doesn't stop there. The pièce de résistance is the aftertaste - a distinctive hint of toasted oak that lingers on the palate. It's a gentle nod to the bourbon casks where this cognac gets its final finish, a tasteful tribute to the journey it's been on before reaching your glass.This isn't just a drink - it's an experience, a sensation of fullness and generosity that invites you to sit back, relax, and truly savour it. Whether you're a long-time cognac connoisseur or a newcomer to the spirit, the Martell Blue Swift is sure to make a lasting impression. It's an exercise in audacity, a symphony of flavours that challenges the status quo of what a cognac can be.