Jean Filloux Lot 63 - THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 44%

Special Features:

An open-grained Limousin oak cask and a slow reduction to bottling strength shape this old Grande Champagne cognac. Lot 63 consists mainly of eaux-de-vie from 1963, complemented by a small proportion from 1965. Colombard and Ugni Blanc are the principal grape varieties. The cognac matured in a temperate cellar and was bottled in September 2022 at 44% for Through the Grapevine.

This single-cask release comprises 543 bottles of 0.7 litres each and comes in gift packaging. Its character combines pronounced fruit and floral notes with honey, a velvety mouthfeel and mature hints of rancio.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose is full and elegant. Intense floral aromas of iris, peony and carnation emerge first, alongside toffee and blossom honey. With air, blood orange, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and blackberry grow more pronounced. Hints of furniture polish, walnut stain and dark varnish follow, before rose and peony petals gradually emerge.
• Palate: On the palate, the cognac combines liveliness with a velvety texture. The juicy opening recalls apricot, mango and orange peel, developing into fig jam and heather honey. Chestnuts, porcini mushrooms and grapes join at mid-palate. Towards the end, powdery cocoa notes meet ripe mango, banana and persimmon.
• Finish: The finish is long and full-bodied. Initially, the heat of Espelette pepper accompanies a combination of rock sugar, lime blossom and dark chocolate. Later, the fresh acidity of orange and kumquat contrasts with the peppery spice. Balsamic vinegar notes emerge on the exhale. The empty glass retains intense impressions of liquorice, roasted coffee and rancio, with prunes, melon and ripe grapes.

Distillery/Bottler:

The house's history began in 1880, when Honoré Fillioux founded his own cognac business. In 1894, he acquired the Domaine de la Pouyade in Juillac-le-Coq. Located in Grande Champagne, the estate comprises 25 hectares of vineyards on chalky soil. Since 2015, Christophe Fillioux has continued the family legacy as its fifth generation.

The house allows the base wines to complete their natural malolactic fermentation before distillation. They are then distilled twice on their lees in traditional Charentais pot stills. Christophe and Pascal Fillioux select casks directly at various cooperages in the Charente. This provides different maturation options for their blends and single-cask releases.

Through the Grapevine is La Maison du Whisky's independent cognac bottling series. Through selected single casks and small batches, it highlights individual growing areas and the work of small producers. An experienced tasting panel assesses the eaux-de-vie blind before they are selected for the series.

Facts: