Een nieuw project tussen 2 goede vrienden en professionele levensgenieters. Bert Bruyneel (Asta Morris) en Pieter Knapen (Malternative Belgium) achtten de tijd rijp om een interprovinciale samenwerking op te starten. Een nieuw label waaronder zij enkele malen per jaar een release zullen doen die beschikbaar zal zijn voor hun gezamelijk netwerk levensgenieters.

Deze eerste selectie is een vat uit de kelders van Grosperrin. Petite champagne, 56,6%. 263 flessen. Bottled 03/2022. Wat te verwachten? Een cognac op zijn beste moment in zijn rijpingsproces. Gebalanceerd door zijn tropische fruitigheid en de zoete kruidigheid. Dit is de zuiderse zon in uw glas, tropisch fruit, zachte pepers, Génépi-likeur en een zeer lange warme afdronk. 38-jarige petite champagne op zijn best!  

Tasting Notes by Serge Valentin (WhiskyFun.com) 90/100

Some Belgian collaboration between two great little companies. Shouldn't we ask that they ship their new expressions to us twice?

Colour: amber.

Nose: less luscious than the Vallein, but that may be the higher strength. It is also rather more floral, more fragrant than fruity, with some vetiver and ylang-ylang, jasmine, then just buckets of tangerine and blood orange juices. With water: honeysuckle and orange blossom, plus oriental pastries, Turkish delights, baklavas…

Mouth (neat): probably the best ages, around 35 to 40 years. Some peppery and mentholy spices starting to appear here, but we're still extremely far from 'oakiness'. Stewed fruits, tobacco, coffee, marmalade… With water: a slightly grassier cognac, perhaps a notch more on fruit peel.

Finish: a tad more classic than the Vallein – that is to say with rather more raisins.

Comments: as William Cower once said, 'variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavour'. Lovely old cognac, with a superb, albeit tiny rustic side.
 

Tasting Notes by Ruben Luyten (WhiskyNotes.be) 89/100

Nose: lean and lighter, with minty notes and even some grassy notes up front. Subtle mineral touches. After a while more fruits come out, like pineapple and nectarine. Floral notes (jasmin tea). Not very forthcoming – not showing its true face, if you know what I mean. Appropriate label.

Mouth: this is where the fruits start to show. Really juicy mirabelles, fresh kiwi, hints of bergamot and passion fruits. The minty notes are still there, but never take the lead. Some polished oak, as well as aniseed, grapefruit peels and white pepper.

Finish: long, still showing bright fruits but also verbena, oak spice and a leafy touch.

More straight than expected, and you have to wait until the first sip before the fruits start showing off. High quality as expected, but both have had even better bottlings on their own.