Taster

Nose: Fragrant, exotic, nose. Dried apple. Incense and grass. Dusty with water.

Palate: Fairly strong oakiness. One-dimensional and slightly tannic.

Finish: Cooked apple. Nutty.

Comment: French oak can be pretty aggressive. Here it's got a vice-like grip on what is a gentle fragrant spirit.

Score: 7

Taster

Nose: Toffee and chocolate.

Palate: Lightly creamy. Becoming abrasive and hot.

Finish: Snappy. Somewhat aggressive.

Comment: I have observed few happy marriages between whisky and Cognac. Perhaps the rivalry is just too obvious.

Score: 7.5