Maxime Trijol 2003 Through the Grapevine

Review by: Raygun

A quick note before anything else for the sake of transparency. This review was done with an industry sample provided free of charge, with no expectations beyond drinking them. As always, I do my best to provide my unbiased opinion, and readers can decide how they want to take this review. For more information, see our Ethics & Transparency statement.

Through the Grapevine is a series of single cask cognacs from La Maison du Whisky. Mostly showcasing small producers in the various sub-regions. All bottled with no additives or coloring. Maxime Trijol is a grower and distiller in Fins Bois. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes. 

Distillery: Maxime Trijol

Bottler: La Maison du Whisky 

Region/style: Fins Bois Cognac 

ABV: 43.3%

Age: ~16 years. Produced in 2003 and bottled in 2019.

Color: 1.4 tawny. Natural color and no additives.

Nose: On the fruity side more than oaky. It’s got peach, orange blossoms, and caramel. Seriously floral.      

Palate: Tastes pretty light, which is not a surprise at the ABV. Again very floral; tastes like Armagnac more than Cognac, with that perfumey quality. Plums, orange, and nearly burnt caramel. With some fruit tea.   

Finish: Floral and somewhat perfumey again. Honey, orange blossoms, baklava. Gets a little touch of spice here, with more oak influence.   

Conclusion: A bit underwhelmed. Floral, especially verging on perfume, is not my favorite profile, and this definitely brings that. It’s a little on the delicate side, and I like something with more power. It’s fine, but not to my particular taste.ldn’t keep up. It’s fine; certainly drinkable. Can’t touch the complexity of the older stuff though.

Score: 75

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.

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