This Lot 67 is the eight release by Malternative Belgium. A Petite Champagne cognac with a well-documented history. While the cask was last matured at the Domaine Pasquet, it originated at the estate of the Count Pierre de Joyet who owned a 30 ha vineyard in Jurignac, Petite Champagne.
In 2014 Pierre passed away at the age of 92. The vineyards were passed down to Jean and Roger Glemet, two brothers who had been working for the Count for many years and who had already cared for his vines. Although the Glemet brothers had plans to re-open the home of the de Joyet family, they have no children so they decided to sell the property and the beautifully aged stocks, which then ended up at Pasquet.
Malternative’s Pasquet Lot 62 bottled last year had the same provenance. Now we’re trying a 1967 vintage bottled at 40.6% ABV. Contrary to the 62 there are no sister casks of this one.
Cognac Pasquet Lot 67 – Petite Champagne ‘Le Voyageur’ (40,6%, Malternative Belgium 2021, 438 btl.)
Nose: the kind of (rather acidic and slightly exotic) fruit explosion we really love. Apricots, damsons, as well as pineapple and a hint of guava. Flower petals and orange peels. Whiffs of leather. Hints of potpourri and fruit tea, as well as light nougat and a darker syrupy touch in the background.
Mouth: a fruity, energetic start again, with some oranges or rather bergamots and mirabelles, although it lacks some of the tropical brightness that we found in others. Minty notes, pipe tobacco, pine needles. Hints of verbena, ginger and green tea. A tad more herbal and leafy notes than the nose suggested. More tea leaves and hints of humidor as it evolves.
Finish: medium, still delicate and fruity, with hints of oranges, blossomy notes and subtle ginger.
This is a venerable and highly drinkable cognac with full-on fruits on the nose and refined herbal touches on the palate. Pretty great again. Available from today on the Malternative Belgium website.