The Mossy Muse gifted me a bottle of Hardy XO Rare Fine Champagne Cognac for Christmas because she is the best wife in the entire world. Hardy is a smaller cognac house founded by an English wine merchant named Anthony Hardy. Hardy was so enamored of the French wines and spirits he was importing to England that in 1863 he took the plunge and moved to France to begin his own cognac house.
Hardy XO Rare’s color is a deep amber – Hardy describes it as “ . . . the color of scarlet with glints of amber . . .” The nose is full of ripe stone fruits, but more forward than other XO brands. You can definitely tell it started life as a wine. Mild cinnamon notes come through as well. The taste moves from currants and dried cherries to vanilla and segues into light baking spices. Its smoothness is striking. Subtlety is the theme of this cognac as it drifts from note to note. If you’re looking for something subtle but challenging, this cognac should please you. If you’re new to cognac, this offering may spoil you for all other cognacs.
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