The nose is sweet with honey and vanilla, floral notes and chewy oak, lots of blossom and some spice. The palate is spiced and rich, fruity notes of nectarine with dried apricot and plum, floral and oaked. The finish is on tart fruits and honey.
I hadn't drank brandy in about 14 years and this was my first cognac ever. Couldn't finish a mini bottle. It smelled nice and all but the lack of smoothness was horrible. I guess I am still too young to understand Cognac. Not much flavor and too harsh. I will sip a nice bourbon, scotch, rum, tequila or even vodka rather than this stuff. I understand that it could have been worse but yikes! I don't get the appeal.
My Mother has been a Cognac drinker all her life & states its a shame to see such a good classic & reasonably priced 1 like Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac be discontinued in favour of Rémy Martin Mature Cask VSOP which she considers an inferior product. Point in fact, why fix it if it ain't broke... (Unless it's cost cutting measures by manufacturer...)
I'm with your mother on this one. This cognac is the only one I have found which I like the taste of. It's replacement is just not as good. I've just bought 3 bottles while I can still get hold of it. I don't think it's cost cutting by the manufacturer, more a case of them aligning their product to their market, which is now America, who would appear to like different taste. Shame. My advice is buy it while you can