Comprised of old cognacs that are around 35 years old, VIP XO is one of the most beautiful cognacs I’ve ever seen; the rich chestnut/bronze color shines under the examination lamp; perfect purity. The opening salvo of aroma is assertive and vigorous as zesty notes of pine, oak and parchment get the attention of the olfactory sense; seven more minutes of aeration serve to enhance the oak by introducing a fine caramel/toffee component that perfectly complements the wood. The palate entry is fruity, almost jammy, and sweet; at midpalate the smooth, satiny, creamy texture provides one of the highlights along with supple, mature, and beguiling flavors of cocoa, chocolate cake frosting, butter cream, and walnut. Concludes as elegantly as it began. A great distilled spirit. ***** Spirit Journal.
The Frapins have been winegrowers in the sleepy little Cognac town of Segonzac since 1270 and with over 200 hectares under vine, Cognac Frapin is the largest estate in the famed Grande Champagne sub-region. In due course, the Frapins expanded their repertoire to distillation and their Cognacs enjoyed great renown amongst the houses, traders and cognoscenti in the 19th century; indeed most of their production was earmarked for the houses of Hennessy, Remy Martin and Courvoisier.
That all started to change when Beatrice Cointreau took over the reins from her father Max in 1984 and began restoring Frapin to its rightful place as one of the most venerable of Cognac brands. Since then their extraordinary stocks of old, even pre-phylloxera Cognacs have been released under the Frapin label to create some of the most sought-after spirits in the world.
