What We Know
- Average age between 5-6 years old
- Multi cru blend, majority Fins Bois
- Ugni Blanc
- Distilled on the lees
- Combination of Limousin and Tronçais oak for aging
- Both humid and dry cellars utilized
- 40% ABV
- Additives: Sugar and caramel
- IWSC Bronze Medal 2014/2015, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Gold Medal 2015, International Spirits Challenge Bronze Medal 2016, CWSA Double Gold Medal 2019, London Spirits Competition Silver Medal 2022
Nose
Caramel, fruitcake, orange blossom, star anise, coconut, cedar, cocoa, mint, toasted hazelnut, candied orange, lemon peel, white peach, cherry, plum, apple Danish, raisin
Palate
Madagascar vanilla, honey, clove, nutmeg, jasmine, walnut, grapefruit, orange peel, currant, overripe tropical fruit
Finish
Oak, toasted almond, fruit blossoms
Overall Thoughts
Deau VSOP pours a vibrant fire-orange, amber color. On the nose, orange blossom and oak stand out immediately, followed by touches of citrus and apple Danish. Hints of baking spices come through next, along with orchard fruits like white peach. With a bit of patience, dried coconut and darker fruits start to appear.
The palate opens with a soft creaminess, showing vanilla and honey before shifting into brighter tropical fruits. Like the nose, floral notes carry through here as well. There’s a touch of nuttiness and a pronounced orange peel character that blends into warm barrel spices like nutmeg. The finish is medium in length, offering subtle oak and almond, with the floral notes once again taking the lead.
This is my first time tasting anything from Deau, so I can’t speak to the rest of their range, but in terms of quality, this VSOP is a strong representation of the category. Its youth comes through in its brightness and freshness, though there’s a slight alcohol bite on the front of the palate. Overall, the balance is solid, and the heavy use of Fins Bois is clear from the dominant fruit-blossom character.
Compared to VSOP offerings from the “Big Four,” Deau’s expression lands on the lighter side. You’ll find it a bit softer on the palate—likely because Deau exercises a bit more restrain with additives than producers like Hennessy or Courvoisier.
For anyone looking to branch out from the major houses while still keeping things affordable, this is a strong option. It offers a fresher, more delicate profile from your stereotypical VSOP. It’s especially appealing to those who enjoy floral and fruit-forward cognacs. If that sounds like you, this cognac might be a great option to explore.
