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Cognac Ferrand launched its Renegade Barrel assortment — wherein its brandies have been completed in varied varieties of totally different casks — again in 2018. This version, #3, is our first encounter with the road. It begins with classic 2011 Ferrand Premier Cru Cognac and finishes the brandy in Plantation 1996 Jamaica HJC rum casks (which is handy, as the 2 distilleries share possession). The ending violates the AOC’s strict naming conventions, so that is technically not Cognac. Formally, Ferrand refers to it as an Eau-de-Vie de Vin.
The brandy is unquestionably an odd mixture of the 2 spirits. The nostril has a definite rum funk character, notes of petrol and hogo rapidly dominating. There’s sweetness beneath, however its supply is vague. Rum or brandy isn’t readily placeable, although a observe of raisin is obvious with time in glass. Because it develops, the brandy takes on a extra austere Turkish rug store character.
On the palate, the expertise stays each a powerhouse and a shock. Once more the spirit hews way more intently to rum than Cognac, providing notes of closely charred wooden, darkish chocolate, darkish roast espresso beans, and black pepper. The astute reader will affiliate none of that with brandy of any form, in fact, and Renegade No. 3 by no means actually strays removed from that profile. Positive, some hints at turbinado sugar and an virtually prune-level raisin character give the end some much-needed sweetness, but it surely’s a very long time coming, and by no means wholly capable of steadiness out the extra oppressive, funky rum notes within the combine. It’s definitely attention-grabbing, however by no means overtly gratifying the way in which good brandy all the time is. Moist asphalt is the flavour that adheres to the tongue the longest.
The feds don’t let Ferrand name this Cognac, and albeit I wouldn’t name it Cognac, both.
96.4 proof.
B- / $90 / maisonferrand.com
Ferrand Renegade Barrel No. 3
$90
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