1980s Grand Marnier “Cordon Rouge” brandy

1980s Grand Marnier “Cordon Rouge” brandyGrand Marnieror GrandMa, as some cocktail geeks gleefully shorthand itremains one of the classics. Although it's Cognac based, it's a versatile match for other spirits, too. The liqueur is extremely aromatic, with lots of sweet and bitter orange notes exploding out of the glass. Look for a warm, honeyed flavor and a nice burst of orange peel and spicy cinnamon and ginger on the long finish.

Sweet with dried fruit aromas and hints of dark chocolate

light and undemanding

000 that the Heublein company made from a new product that ended up saving them from bankruptcy

Nose: Leather

From old tasting notes: On the nose there is citrus

Finish: Oak and vanilla cake

a big fat and yet very ‘nervous’ mouth feel

star anise smell overall very much in the style of its frère Pernod Pastis (the thujone-free version of Pernod which was used to take the place of its banned brother in 1920

white pepper

Score 93/100

stone fruits instead of citrus

a designation now known as 'VS' today