Louis Latour Agencies

Frapin awarded best in competition at The Cognac Masters 2019

13 May 2019

• Frapin VSOP: Gold
• Frapin VIP XO : Gold
• Frapin Chateau Fontpinot XO: Master
• Frapin Millésime 1990 27 Years Old: Master – Cognac Taste Master

The competition got off to a flying start with a Master medal awarded to Cognac Frapin’s Millésime 1990 expression in the Vintage – Single Cru round, which assessed Cognacs made exclusively from grapes grown in one of the region’s recognised crus. The expression was praised for its flavour of “rancio and evolved fruit”, as well as “tropical fruit and vanilla”. Overall, the panel agreed that Millésime 1990 demonstrated a harmonious balance of superior oak influence and fresh eaux-de-vie.

A single Gold for “delicate and sweet” Cognac Frapin VSOP followed in the VSOP – Single Cru flight. “I got flavours of apple-and-pear custard tart, elderflower and orange blossom – it’s got a sweetness and grapiness in addition to wood smoke and truffle,” said Rodriguez. “It was quite complex and very pleasant to taste.” Craft added: “This is why you bottle a single cru: it’s got something specific to say.”’

‘The judging ended on a high, with a Master medal awarded to Cognac Frapin’s Château Fontpinot XO expression in the XO – Single Cru round. “From the first smell it beckoned you in,” enthused Duffy. Craft added: “This Cognac has all of the complexity you want and nothing is out of balance. It’s almost architectural.”

As the competition came to a close, judges retasted all of the Master medallists and ranked them to discover the Cognac Taste Master – the best in class entrant. The tasting came full circle with Frapin’s Millésime 1990 expression taking the top accolade. “This is truly an example of excellence in ageing,” said Rodriguez. “An outstanding Cognac.”

Extract from The Spirits Business. https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2019/05/the-cognac-masters-2019-results/

Judging Panel

• Chair: Amy Hopkins, editor of The Spirits Business
• Phil Duffy, head of spirits at Amathus Drinks
• Jamie Matthewson, buying manager at Waitrose
• Bryan Rodriguez, spirits buyer at Harvey Nichols
• Tobias Gorn, writer and consultant
• Elise Craft, Whisky Squad coordinator