The Dussé brand takes the symbol of the Cross of Lorraine - that's probably why you might know it as the Cognac with a cross on the bottle. It represents the French emblem of courage, honor, and perseverance. They have adopted a symbol of French history for their own. The bottles from this Cognac house, therefore, looks particularly medieval, royal and rustic. The business ofCognacis one rife with history, steeped in tradition and meticulous craft, and fueled by deep appreciation and respect within the spirits world. The whole process behind the 1969 Anniversaire collection reminded me why I got involved in the spirits industry in the first place – to create something that will stand the test of time. The vintage bottling impressed so much that following the retasting of the Master medallists, it was voted the ‘best in class’ of the day – The Cognac Taste Master 2023. Group two was chaired by Matt Chambers, spirits writer and co-founder of the Whisky For Everyone blog. He was accompanied by: Evan Prousaefs, bar manager at Sexy Fish; and Dr Winnie Bowman, Cape wine master, wine and spirits judge and writer.

Price: Both products are of exceptional quality. However, the VSOP only costs about a third of the XO release. Therefore, in terms of value for money, the VSOP is the clear winner. But] for us, being able to communicate the quality of the liquid, the making process, where it’s made, and what Michelwanted to achieve in terms of taste profileis something that was extremely important…probably as much as having Jay-Z on board and being a fan of the product himself.” Note: The D'Usse Cognac VSOP with Glitter Design contains the same Cognac as the D'Usse VSOP Cognac. The only difference is the Glitter design. How to serve the D'USSÉ VSOP The fourth Master medal of this flight went to Rémy Martin XO. With aromas of “coffee, chocolate and waxy furniture polish”, leading to “soft baking spices, soft fruit and elegant wood spice” on the palate, the judges were hugely impressed.

Give it the chance!

The two-barred cross decanter is both cutting edge and wonderfully rustic. With a simple cork and no label on the cork... it is somewhat regal; an interesting mix of medieval, bourgeois and somehow a bit rough. The bottle is dome-shaped, with a coppery gold metallic Cross of Lorraine etched into it. With a design as striking and unique as the liquid inside, this expression is sure to take centre stage in many prominent Cognac collections. How to Enjoy D'USSÉ 1969 Anniversaire Limited Edition Cognac Overall: This Cognac is a smooth, velvety, and easy-to-drink spirit with subtle sweet and floral notes. The finish has a slightly alcoholic bite to it, followed by a fruity aftertaste and slight notes of oak. I would not call it top shelf, either. But it is good value for money. D'Ussé XO A Master medal was also given to Jean Fillioux – Très Vieux Extra. The judges enjoyed “lovely notes of raisins and candied orange” on the nose, and “a good pinch of baking spice” on the palate. The round also produced five Gold medals. Prousaefs praised this flight: “A remarkable example of what Cognac has to offer as an XO. Depth, character and attention to detail across the whole category.” The spirit’s versatility shone through the medal-winning expressions

D'Ussé Cognac VSOP matures for a minimun of four and a half years in the cellars of the Château. The result is a versatile and delicate Cognac with notes of citrus, dried fruits, caramel, and honey. The judges then moved to XO – Single Cru, where another three Gold medallists were rewarded. Medals went to: “juicy, fudgy” Coutanseaux Aîné XO – Grande Champagne; “juicy and fresh” Coutanseaux Aîné XXO; and “lush” Cognac Frapin Cigar Blend XO.Everyone has their favorite thing on the Thanksgiving table. For some, it's the green bean casserole. For others, it's the cranberry sauce. For me, it's the wine. For many, many reasons, wine is an absolute necessity on Thanksgiving. Whether your intentions are pure and you're looking for the perfect pairing that complements and highlights each and every rich and savory note and flavor in your Thanksgiving dishes, or you just need a few glasses to get you through dinner with your in-laws — whatever the reason, wine is important. The judges were divided into two panels, the first of which was led by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (GSMC). She was joined by: Ruchira Neotia, partner – Collectivino; and Ed Bates, founder of Distilled London.