Cognac

[Guest rob]

I bought 2 litres of Hennessey XO duty free and have been enjoying a couple of servings every week for a while now. It has been so smooth and caramel like that I really thought it couldn't get any better (in the Hennessey range anyway).

But since my last trip to Brisbane... I just haven't been able to enjoy it the way I used to.

It all happened at a Tuesday night dinner at Gianni's restaurant.

After dinner, when the rest of the crew were sipping ports and other rubbish, I ordered a Hennessey Paradis Extra. My god! This was amazing. The aroma at first pour was divine... and got better with every minute in the glass. Volatile, but controlled restraint.

Then I drank it... and I'm now unable to enjoy my XO the way I used to.

The Paradis was the most luscious and velvety cognac I have ever had the fortune of trying. Refined caramel. Hints of honey. Smooth palate feel. This was my "God shot". No alcohol has done this to my senses in quite the same way.

Every night since, as I drive past the grog shop on the way home, I must show restraint from stopping and picking up a bottle.

... but then again, we are officially in recession - so maybe I should buy a bottle and do my bit to stimulate the economy.

[jquest63]

Sounds like a little bit of heaven on earth. Did you pair cognac with a cigar? If not, any recommedations?

[sounddust]

Now you know why Kim Jong Il loves the stuff.

[DocRKS]

A great and classic pairing.... a Great Cigar and a Great Cognac......

Since you enjoy the Paradis so much (I do as well) - may I suggest the Remy Martin Excellence XO..... magical drink with a fine Habana.....

[laficion]

A little bit of France in your glass and Cuba on your lips . Sounds great,

what recession ?

thanks for shareing.

[Buch0]

Ahhh saw this thread and couldn't help but comment!

I too love this particular cognac and always look forward to having a special occasion so as I can indulge in one ._. I had one the other night and the first cigar that came to mind to couple it with was one of my Cohiba Esplendido's I had from a sampler pack purchased last year. What a combination it was, the caramel cream silky taste of the Paradis mixed with the honey that was hinting from the Esplendido was truly something to appreciate.. Never before have I felt so satisfied with a moment.

$500 for a bottle of this stuff is indeed a great buy for anyone!`

[Ken Gargett]

you could go with a zacapa xo, save enough for a box of cigars, and have just as good an experience.

[matt14]

I bought a bottle last year to drink at some point when my father came over for my Wedding, his last night in town which was my B`day had friends over to mine for BBQ and to share a few smokes, got stuck into early as always happens!!

A heap of beer, small batch bourbon, and few bottles of Champagne. Hot dogs, Burgers, ribs, steaks Wives and girlfriends where knocking out seafood like you wouldnt believe!! For a race of skinny birds I dont know where they put it ebnough King Prawn, crab and Shell fish got eaten to sink a battleship!!

When everyone had left I remembered about the bottle of Paradis. My B`day stick is a sublime, not got to many left now but its a kind of tradition for me now still had half left so we sat down had a draft of the Paradis, talked about nothing in particular but talked if you get where I`m coming from!! Finished the cigar woke up the next morning and saw we`d nailed half the bottle without knowing! Pair of us where pretty sure we`d only had a glass each not being a connosuier in any way but I now good from bad and excellent from good! If I had the funds I would drink nothing else, My wife would still put coke in it though!!!!!!