Courvoisier Tasting & A Walk Down Memory Lane to Cognac Country One of the best and most formative ventures of my early booze journalism days was a DISCUS (Distilled Spirits Council) trip to Cognac, France. We visited all of the region’s prestige houses, including Hennessy, Martell, Courvoisier and Remy Martin, in addition to a number of small winegrowers, or bouilleurs de cru, and the Baron Otard Château de Cognac, which now produces D’USSE. The trip was lavish to the point of ridiculous excess, as we stayed at the swanky chateaus of the brands, and visited each producer’s paradis cellars, tasting ancient eaux-de-vie, in some cases from the mid-19th century. There is, obviously, nothing quite like it. With the current climate being what it is, there aren’t any planned group booze trips to Cognac, France on the docket. However, it’s easier than ever to visit the region from your computer with virtual meetings. A recent Courvoisier session offered an exciting opportunity to revel in some of those memories while tasting through a portion of their current lineup. It was also a chance to see what’s new with the brand, including their Avant-Garde Bourbon Cask. The product can’t be labeled as a “Cognac,” due to the cask-finishing process which uses bourbon barrels made from American oak. Cognac regulations stipulate that only French oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais can be used for maturation, and further, that the barrels must only have held grape-based products. As such, the product is labeled as a “Spirit Drink” which is “made of Cognac.” Considering Courvoisier is in the Beam Suntory family, it should be a given where the bourbon barrels come from: Jim Beam. Fred Noe’s signature even appears on the back label, alongside Courvoisier’s master blender, Patrice Pinet, and master distiller, Benoit de Sutter. Specifically, though, Knob Creek barrels are used for Avant-Garde. The liquid includes components matured for between two and eight years, with an average age of approximately four years. Now that we know what the Avant-Garde is, what does it taste like? The nose offers some of the spicy rye and vanilla characteristics of the whiskey itself. The palate also showcases that spice, with a touch of smoke and char incorporated into its Cognac base. It also has more of an alcoholic heat to it than a typical Cognac of similar age....