About Joseph Guy
From grape to cognac in outline
The roots of a Joseph Guy cognac are to be found in the Ugniblanc grapes harvested in the French province of Cognac, which is subdivided into six “crus” (districts). Each cru and each vineyard produces a different type of wine owing to a unique combination of soil conditions, climate and light (intensity). Therefore, the crus that are used strongly dictate the cognac’s future character. After fermentation, the white wine made from these grapes undergoes double distillation in copper stills. The most important part of the process begins after distillation: completely undisturbed maturation (ageing) in oak casks from the province of Limousin. It is this oak that has a definitive impact on the quality of the cognac. After maturation comes the grand finale: blending. The cellar master mixes different crus and vintages to create one splendid cognac: Joseph Guy V.S., V.S.O.P. or X.O., and then… then it’s time to start enjoying them.
The amenable Joseph Guy V.S.
Joseph Guy V.S. is aged for at least two and a half years. This gives it a full and yet extremely amenable flavour with a pale golden colour. It has a very fruity nose with slight traces of oak and vanilla. It can be described as having a strong palette of flavours with a smooth finish. Its aftertaste is pleasantly fruity. Joseph Guy V.S. is available in 1-litre, 700-ml and 350-ml bottles and as a 200-ml hipflask.
The surprising Joseph Guy V.S.O.P.
Joseph Guy V.S.O.P. is aged for a minimum of four years, resulting in a perfectly finished flavour. Longer maturation in the casks creates a more rounded flavour due to the action of oxygen, while making it more complex due the incorporation from the oak of vanillin and tannin. In colouration it is a dark golden amber. Its bouquet is made up of full wood and floral elements. In terms of flavour it is notable for traces of oak and rancio. Its aftertaste is complex, balanced and surprisingly prolonged. Joseph Guy V.S.O.P. is available in 700-ml bottles.
The excellent Joseph Guy X.O.
X.O. is Joseph Guy’s showpiece. It is an extremely complex, exceptionally smooth cognac of the utmost quality. It is dark amber in colour, as well as being crystal clear. The used eaux-de-vie have been aged for at least 12 years. It is this long maturation and carefully selected blending that give this cognac an elegance and finesse of the highest order. It has an extremely rich nose with tones of oak and crystallised fruit, such as plums and orange peel. It has an exceptionally intense and complex palette of flavours with traces of rancio and crystallised fruit, such as apricots. It has a very prolonged aftertaste with nose and flavour in perfect harmony. Sheer excellence! Joseph Guy X.O. is available in a 700-ml carafe and comes
as standard in a luxury gift presentation box.