The seventh Cognac from Malternative Belgium comes from Jean Aubineau, who is no longer producing cognacs. He had vineyards in Grande Champagne but also Fins Bois, and he seems to be known especially for his Colombard based spirit.
It is a 1957 vintage bottled at a nice 47.3% ABV.
Cognac Jean Aubineau 1957 ‘Le Têtu’ – Grande Champagne (47,3%, Malternative Belgium 2021, 50 btl.)
Nose: very fruity. Apricots, quinces, damsons. Orange oil. Peonies and a whiff of potpourri. Light herbal notes and mint tea in the background. There’s also a slightly darker side, with a hint of caramel and earthy tobacco, maybe cedar, and wildflowers. Elegant, not too thin, really good.
Mouth: oily start, with a fine texture. Oak spice and tobacco at first, then some mentholated notes, and once this clears, a lovely fruitiness! More tropical now, including a hint of passion fruit. Some aniseed and Jaffa cakes towards the end.
Finish: medium, slightly more rustic. Some oak spice, mint and cocoa but never drying.
Quite wonderful. It hits the sweet spot between a thinner, fruity style and a more rustic, darker profile. Sold out, I believe, at least from Malternative Belgium.