Fanny Fougerat 1994 Cognac Through the Grapevine

Review by: Raygun

Fanny Fougerat is a grower-producer in Burie with a vineyard in Borderies and Fins Bois, all Ugni Blanc. She started bottling under her own brand in 2013. This single cask was released by La Madison du Whisky’s Through the Grapevine label. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 10 minutes.

Distillery: Fanny Fougerat

Bottler: La Maison du Whisky

Region/style: Borderies Cognac 

ABV: 52.8%, not cask strength

Age: Around 24 years. Distilled in 1994 and bottled sometime in 2018

Cask type: A single cask of presumably French oak

Color: 1.2 chestnut

Nose: Smells rather fresh. Grapes, orange, caramel, and some leather. Nice dash of milk chocolate, too. 

Palate: Plums, orange, caramel, and a touch of cocoa. Donuts. Oak influence is more apparent. Nice fruity zippyness along with a cake-like richness that balances well. There’s an herbal aspect that reminds me of Chinese medicine.  

Finish: More medicinal herbs and now more oak spice. Plums and oranges. Slightly burnt caramel. Glazed donuts. A touch less inviting here.  

Conclusion: Very good. Not too sweet nor too oaky. I’m not always a fan of medicinal herbs, but they don’t overpower here and provide an interesting accent. Doesn’t have that extra level that would make it something really special, but not everything has to. Drinks easily, and I could see myself reaching for it often if I had a bottle. 

Buy a bottle? Doubt I could find it now. 

Score: 82

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent brandy worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

Leave a comment