Malternative Belgium just released two cognacs from Laurichesse, a house they more or less discovered back in 2022. This is a royal diptych, in a way, featuring a lioness and a lion on the labels, facing each other. These are not accidental symbols: they also appear in the official coat of arms of Laurichesse.
We’ve had 19.75 and 19.76 from this house before and they were among the best cognacs we’ve had. High hopes for this duo.
Cognac Laurichesse 19.76 ‘La Souveraine’ – Grande Champagne (45,1%, Malternative Belgium 2026, cask #215, 382 btl.)
Nose: really fruity, with orange peels and fresh mint leaves up front, as well as an ethereal hint of kitron leaves from Naxos. Then paraguayo peaches and whiffs of lychee. Some blossomy notes, a little sandalwood and light tobacco. Total brightness, with lots of essential oils at its core.
Mouth: refined and really bright again, with these citrus peels, mint and almost perfume extracts taking the lead. Mirabelles, peaches, pink grapefruit and bergamot. Clementine peels. There’s also a tighter side, on leathery notes, bitter almonds and liquorice, as well as some jasmine green tea.
Finish: medium to long, still zesty, with cedar, peach and yuzu. Just a subtle resinous note as well.
More or less on par with the previous Laurichesse Lot 76 (from memory). Elegant and refined, but with a certain tightness and lots of essential oils. Great. Still available from Malternative Belgium and its retailers.
Cognac Laurichesse 19.75 ‘Le Souverain’ – Grande Champagne (50,6%, Malternative Belgium 2026, cask #119, 360 btl.)
Nose: clearly more ample and explosive. Plenty of tangerine, mango, lychee, papaya and peach jam. Earl Grey, oranges, lighter spearmint. Then a gorgeous layer of polished furniture as well, even a volatile oily note, which adds to the richness. Also floral honey, a little cinnamon and beautiful rancio.
Mouth: here as well, it is simply richer. Lots of indulgent fruity notes, like mango, peaches, tangerines and passion fruits. Underneath there is a deeper caramelized note, along with dried wildflowers and a slightly mentholated top note. Then mild tobacco, drops of herbal extracts and a old oak.
Finish: very long, mixing candied and dried fruits with fruit tea, mint and warming oak.
The higher ABV and the sheer width of this profile, as well as the noble polished notes… This replaces elegance with intensity, making this clearly my favourite. I must say the analogy with the lioness and lion is perfectly appropriate. Still available from Malternative Belgium and its retailers. Score: 92/100