Tasting notes by Serge Valentin (Whiskyfun.com): 91 points

In Cognac time, 1979 is a recent vintage. I mean, Blondie, Talking Heads, the Voidoids, Television… No wait, Television stopped in 1978 and did it again only fifteen years later. Anyway, Prunier seem to be getting some traction within whisky circles these days, I believe we have to catch up… Now this is 'Maison Prunier', not 'Prunier', so it could be reconditioned old stock from the Parisian restaurant instead of Cognac from the house Prunier in the Cognac region. Are you follow me? Good for you, I'm not even sure I understand all this myself.

Colour: gold. Nose: oh tropical fruits, aromatic herbs (verbena in majesty, love that) and big juicy peaches and oranges. Touches of Armenian incense paper. Rather a little very sublime, as Dadaists would have said. With water: menthol, liquorice wood, cider apples, perhaps a thin slice of banana (yep), sultanas, beeswax, rubbed spearmint… Rather sublime, akin to a great old malt whisky. Say very old Tomintoul (what?)

Mouth (neat): immediate, immaculate fruitiness with astounding herbal backbone. Grapefruits, peaches, rhubarb, white asparagus (season's over, sob sob sob), a drop of maraschino. Instant pleasures here. With water: water enhances the citrusy side and would bring more medicinal herbs. More verbena, otherwise, dill and fennel. A funny coastal side too; 'nosing kelp'.

Finish: long, unusually citrusy for Cognac. Oranges, liquorice, crystalised tangerines, menthol, and even a wee maltiness… White pepper. Comments: very impressive, really. Do they now grow grapes in Sutherland? I mean, were they doing that back in 1979 (while listening to Nazareth)?

Tasting notes Ruben Luyten - WhiskyNotes: Score 91/100

Nose: on the bright side with lots of fruity notes. Damsons, mirabelles, oranges and pink grapefruits. Precious woods with just a hint of eucalyptus and potpourri in the background, as well as beehivey tones and a drop of herbal liqueur.

Mouth: oh, really a blast of fruits now. Bright passion fruits, lychee, guava, Muscat grapes and pink grapefruits again. Some mentholated notes and herbal tea. Orange peels or rather tangerines. Floral honeys and hints of rose petals. A wee earthy / resinous touch in the end.

Finish: long, still beautifully fruity and floral, with some resinous hints.

A perfect start. The brightness and almost ethereal fruitiness is gorgeous. A great profile and a good choice to come up with something relatively affordable and with a decent yield. Recommended.