100% Grande Champagne. Dark amber in color, but super-bright and fresh on the fruity, floral nose, offering aromas of lily, fig, pineapple and green tobacco. In the mouth, flavors of marmalade and mango chutney are then enveloped by chocolate and hazelnut, tinged with baking spice. Finishes with a tropical not of mature rancio. (40% abv)

The nut-paste, oaky scents take on a citrusy tone as the smell turns fruitier the more it aerates; lovely and compelling. The palate entry is supple, fruity sweet, and ripe; the midpalate stage highlights melded flavors of light caramel, marzipan, and nougat. Ends up oaky- sweet, lightly spiced and satiny. - P.P.

The NV Cognac Lot 29 is another beauty that offers incredible complexity, as well as length. More finesse-oriented, with a seamless, fine, elegant texture as well as notes of orange peel, caramelized citrus, and spice, it's slightly less powerful than the Lot 53 release yet is more nuanced.