Orange d’Or (Grosperrin)

Orange d’Or, NAS, 40 %

This is my first ever review of a liqueur. The Orange d’Or is a table liqueur produced by Grosperrin Cognac. Here is part of their official description of the product:

“Making this orange liqueur is a complex process. A blend of spirit, including Cognac, natural bitter orange essence and sugar forms the base which is then enriched with the addition of very old Armagnacs (1979 vintage for this first release), very old French brandy and Cognac. This is then aged for a minimum of three years in old American Bourbon barrels. At the end of this period it is drawn off into a small tank where it is macerated with Burgundy blackcurrant buds to take this unique liqueur to a new level of elegancy. The bottles are then left to rest for several months before they are sold.”

The Orange d’Or is available to buy in Norway at NOK 688 (12485901).

Nose: Quite obviously an orange liqueur. Rich and juicy oranges as well as the more bitter Seville oranges - perhaps a bitter orange marmalade. Sugary sweet and rich. With time I start to detect richer notes in the background. Oaky notes with soft tannic influence as well as vanilla and mild caramel.

Taste: Rich and sweet mouthfeel. The oranges are very much present on the palate as well. Milder and softer now. More reminiscent of ripe oranges or Christmas time mandarin oranges. Orange flavoured honey.

Finish: Medium to long finish. Oily or creamy in character now. The sugary sweet orange notes are every changing. Mesmerizing. In the background I pick up some of the more refined note I got on the nose - oak and vanilla - hints of tannic astringency.

Comment: Wow. You are required to have a sweet tooth, but this is great stuff!

Score 90/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas